Adolescence is a time of major transition physically, emotionally, and socially. Healthy sexuality is an important part of adolescent development, that contributes to helping young people develop safe and healthy routines, behaviors, and relationships that they can carry into their adult lives. Providing access to comprehensive sexuality education and sexual healthcare services, empowers young people to lead healthy lives.
Youth face many challenging decisions when it comes to sexual health and their future. Sexual health education provides youth with access to reliable information that will give them the skills to make informed decisions on their sexual health.
Vermont State PREP presently uses Making Proud Choices to provide evidence-based sexual and reproductive health education. Making Proud Choices: An Evidence-Based, Safer-Sex Approach to Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STD Prevention is an 8-module curriculum that provides adolescents with the knowledge, confidence and skills necessary to reduce their risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and pregnancy by abstaining from sex or using birth control and condoms if they choose to have sex. The Vermont State PREP program has made approved changes to include modules on gender and sexual identity, and on consent.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| I Wanna Know | Find the facts, the support, the resources to answer your questions, referrals, and get access to in-depth information about sexual health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), healthy relationships, and more. |
| Outright Vermont | Organization providing education and support to LGBTQ+ youth in Vermont. |
| Planned Parenthood~ Info for Teens | Info on sex, relationships, your body, and more. |
| Amaze for Teens | Real info in fun, animated videos that give you all the answers you actually want to know about sex, your body and relationships. |
| Power to Decide | High-quality, accurate information—backed by research—on sexual health and contraceptive methods so you can make informed decisions. |
| Family planning and birth control | Learn about family planning and birth control from the Vermont Department of Health. |
| Advocates for Youth | Advocates for Youth works alongside thousands of young people here in the U.S. and around the globe as they fight for sexual health, rights, and justice. |
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Talking to Kids about Sex and Sexuality | Tips to talk with your child about sex and sexuality. |
| Amaze.org for Parents and Caregivers | Free resource to help you talk to your kids about everything from babies to bodies to gender to consent to relationships. |
| This toolkit helps adults become approachable and easy for children and youth to talk to about anything that is on their mind, including sexuality and gender. | |
| Planned Parenthood Information for Parents | Resources and education based on subject and age of your child so you can support your child as they learn about their sexual health. |
| Family planning and birth control | Learn about family planning and birth control from the Vermont Department of Health. |
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Agency of Education Sexual Health Page | Information on sexual health resources. |
| Planned Parenthood of Northern New England | Education, resources, and Planned Parenthood locations to support the needs of your patients. |
| Amaze.org for Educators | Range of programming options including digital games, quizzes, and videos based on science to support healthy decision making. Many also have lesson plans |
| Developed to address and support sex educators in schools and community settings while reflecting the reality of what teaching this subject often entails. | |
| Tools for Educators | Range of programming options including digital games, quizzes, and videos based on science to support healthy decision making. Many also have lesson plans |
| Sexual Risk Behaviors | Learn more about sexual risk behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs, and teen pregnancy. |
| Healthy Teen Network | Trainings, e-learning, resources, and more to support sex education. |
| Adolescent Health Care Resources for Teens (AAP) | Adolescent sexual health materials to distribute to patients or share on social media. |