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. NDE is led by an elected board, who will ultimately vote on these health education standards. Your advocacy on this issue is important to ensure all students have access to health education that is effective, inclusive and complete. Learn more about how you can support young people and use your voice to advocate for effective health education in Nebraska.

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.

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 9 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.