Sexual Literacy

Everyone deserves the right to decide if, when and how to become a parent.

This requires access—to comprehensive sex education as well as unrestricted access to sexual and reproductive health services. Young people deserve access to medically accurate, comprehensive sex education in order to make informed decisions for their futures. Access matters.

In Douglas County, rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people ages 15 to 24 are notably higher than they are in the state of Nebraska—or even nationwide. Adolescents in our community continue to report epidemic rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia specifically.

This is why, after careful research, including community conversations and planning by the Women’s Fund and other stakeholders, the Adolescent Health Project launched in 2015. Donors have invested over $10 million toward the development and implementation of community and state-wide changes.

The Adolescent Health Project aims to increase sexual health knowledge of youth and improve health outcomes by providing barrier-free access to STI testing and treatment and highly effective forms of contraception to reduce STIs and unintended pregnancies, particularly among young people of all genders, ages 24 and younger.

As the project celebrates nearly a decade of existence, we continue to shift toward a youth-centered ecosystem promoting equity, autonomy and access. Learn more about our accomplishments and challenges from the inception of the initiative through early 2023.

Protecting Abortion Access

Fundamentally, we believe that everyone should be able to make the personal health care decisions that impact their lives, health and futures without political interference. We have rejected further restrictions on abortions whenever anti-abortion politicians try to insert their personal beliefs into our health care – which have included attempts to ban abortion completely when Roe fell (LB 933 in 2022) and multiple attempts to ban abortions at six weeks (LB 626 in 2023 and LB 781 in 2022).

In late 2023, we joined a coalition of reproductive rights, health and justice advocates working on a ballot initiative to protect Nebraskan’s right to access abortion care. Unfortunately, this ballot measure failed and the existing 12-week ban was put into the constitution in November 2024. Collectively, we will continue to reject further restrictions on abortions whenever introduced.

To learn more about how to advocate for abortion access, join the movement at NebraskansForAbortionAccess.com.

Effective Sex Education

Age-appropriate, honest and complete information about sexual and reproductive health—including gender identity, sexual orientation, contraception, consent and healthy relationships—makes a difference in creating healthy outcomes for young people. Comprehensive sex education in schools, as well as open dialogue on these topics with trusted adults, is essential. If you are a parent/caregiver and want information on how to advocate for sex education that supports your students’ well-being, visit Advocates for Youth’s guide to understanding sex education in your school.

Until 2016, there had been no major update of the Omaha Public School Human Growth & Development (HGD) curriculum in 30 years. With support and guidance from the Women’s Fund, the mobilization of youth and the involvement of key community partners, Omaha Public Schools adopted new, inclusive, science-based HGD standards and new curricula that aligns with those standards. The HGD standards are grade-specific. The standards, with documents and curriculum pacing guides are available on the OPS website.

The Nebraska Department of Education engaged a group of educators (teachers, administrators, ESU staff, postsecondary representatives) in developing Nebraska Health Education Standards to create the framework for K-12 health education in our state. After releasing a second draft of the standards, “Nebraska Health Education Standards,” in July 2021 that were a complete departure from what medical experts, education professionals and decades of research identify as effective health education, the Board voted to pause the process in September 2021. All students should have access to health education that is effective, inclusive and complete. View all the facts and figures related to comprehensive health education.

As a public health issue, it is paramount that sexual violence prevention strategies be implemented within institutions and systems, including learning environments. Education is a primary prevention tool in creating a world free from gender-based violence. With local collaborations, the Sexual Violence Prevention Educator’s Guide was developed to provide educators with the necessary framework, concepts and resources for how to best engage with students about sexual violence prevention.

Increased Access to Free STI Testing & Treatment

STI rates among young people, ages 15 to 24, are notably higher in Douglas County than they are in the state of Nebraska or nationwide. Adolescents in our community continue to report epidemic rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia specifically.

The Women’s Fund invests grants in local organizations that are working to increase the availability of free STI testing and treatment. Private donors provide funding for the grants.

In 2016, Adolescent Health Project grantees significantly increased the number of sites offering evening and weekend STI testing, with several organizations doubling or tripling the number of hours they offer testing each week. The number of STI tests completed by grantees doubled from 2014 to 2016.

All organizations receiving these grants have committed to creating or expanding programs benefiting all genders, ages 15 to 24, in the areas of STI testing, STI treatment and condom distribution. By increasing the accessibility of free testing and treatment, we will create sustainable, community-wide changes in the sexual knowledge and health of Omaha’s youth.

Outreach & Education

Meeting young people where they are—and educating them about sexual and reproductive health and where services can be accessed—is critical.

Adolescent Health Project educators provide effective sex education to youth, parents and youth-serving professionals in community-based settings, school classrooms and faith communities. Many AHP educators are trained to be Askable Adult trainers; an initiative of the Women’s Fund that is training youth-serving professionals to be more knowledgeable on sexual health and better equipped to provide compassionate, warm referrals for sexual and reproductive health.

Outreach staff attend local events to engage with young people in environments where they feel comfortable. Optimally, outreach and education are combined with access to free condoms and free STI testing. From July 2021 to June 2022, Adolescent Health Project outreach staff connected with 41,005 individuals at area events.

The nine local organizations that have received grants for their work in unintended teen pregnancy prevention and STI testing have steadily accelerated their outreach and education efforts throughout the community.

Learn more at GetAccessGranted.com.

Community-Wide Condom Distribution

Through the Adolescent Health Project, the Women’s Fund began community-wide distribution of free condoms in January 2016. Condom distribution programs have been proven to increase condom use, prevent HIV/STIs and save money by reducing STI rates and unintended pregnancies.

Our grantees distribute condoms in Access Granted branded containers at health centers and 160+ locations where young people frequent—such as coffee shops, clothing boutiques, restaurants, bars, hair salons and college campuses. There’s no age requirement—anyone can get free condoms without judgement.

More than 4.3 million condoms have been distributed since 2015.

Affordable, Convenient Access to Emergency Contraception

The Omaha community will now have a new, low-barrier pathway to take control of their sexual and reproductive health—sexual health vending machines. Access Granted, an initiative of the Women’s Fund, launched this innovative solution in summer 2023 to ensure convenient access to emergency contraception (EC). By providing emergency birth control in vending machines at multiple locations, individuals will be able to access EC in a discreet, affordable and judgment-free way. 

With sexual health vending machines strategically placed throughout the Omaha metro area, this project aims to ensure that anyone will have a convenient way to obtain EC when they need it most. The vending machines offer EC for a low cost of just $8 and pregnancy tests for $3. This affordable price ensures that EC is within reach for those who may face financial barriers.

More information is available via GetAccessGranted.com/EC where we offer a wealth of knowledge, including information about EC, a map on where to locate machines and frequently asked questions—providing a seamless experience and eliminating any uncertainty. Individuals are encouraged to explore these resources to make informed decisions that are best for them.

If you are interested in financially supporting this work directly, please donate at OmahaWomensFund.org/Support-EC-Access or contact Info@GetAccessGranted.com if you are interested in being a vending machine host.

Increasing Access to Critical Postpartum Health Care for New Parents and Children

During the 2024 session, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 1106 and LB 1107 as part of LB 1215. This legislation increases access to critical postpartum health care for new parents and children who utilize Medicaid. Starting January 1, 2025, Nebraska parents and children covered by Medicaid will be able to access a high-quality electronic personal-use breast pump before and after birth as well as a minimum of 10 lactation consultation visits. Learn more via our fact sheet (English / Spanish).

Communicating with Young People

Open and honest conversations about healthy relationships, consent and sex can help young people make the decision to postpone sex and avoid STIs and unintended pregnancy.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends talking to youth as early as age 9 about sex, with discussions about healthy relationships even earlier. Creating an approachable environment for young people is key.

Communication is an important component of sexual literacy, and parents and teachers alike need to become “askable adults” for young people. Having positive home, school and community environments are significant protective facts in preventing negative sexual health outcomes. Askable adults create safe, affirming spaces where youth feel comfortable asking questions and having ongoing conversations about these topics.

There are many resources available to help adults increase their comfort level and knowledge base for effective conversation around sex and healthy relationships. Check out the parent/caregiver resources at GetAccessGranted.com.

Sexual Violence Prevention Educator's Guide

Educators play a vital role in sexual violence prevention, and students deserve a world free from sexual violence and an education that supports sexual violence prevention efforts. As a public health issue, it is paramount that sexual violence prevention strategies be implemented within institutions and systems, including learning environments.

Education is a primary prevention tool in creating a world free from gender-based violence. The Sexual Violence Prevention Educator’s Guide was developed to provide educators with the necessary framework, concepts and resources for how to best engage with students about sexual violence prevention.