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A Healthy Future for Montana Youth:

A Healthy Future for Montana Youth:. Adopting a Comprehensive Approach to Sex Education. Brought to you by the Montana Partnership for Sex Education. Who We Are. We are the Montana Partnership for Sex Education A statewide coalition of the following organizations: NARAL Pro-Choice Montana

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A Healthy Future for Montana Youth:

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  1. A Healthy Future for Montana Youth: Adopting a Comprehensive Approach to Sex Education Brought to you by the Montana Partnership for Sex Education

  2. Who We Are • We are the Montana Partnership for Sex Education • A statewide coalition of the following organizations: • NARAL Pro-Choice Montana • Planned Parenthood of Montana • ACLU of Montana • Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence • Montana Human Rights Network • American Association of University Women- Montana Chapter • Montana Disability Rights Advocates • Blue Mountain Clinic (Missoula) • Bridger Clinic (Bozeman) • Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development, Inc. • Montana Women Vote

  3. What is Comprehensive Sex Ed? • The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) defines sexuality education as ‘a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes, beliefs, and values. It encompasses sexual development, sexual and reproductive health, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, body image, and gender roles.’

  4. Current Snapshot Currently, there is no uniform sex education policy for school districts in the State of Montana. Each school district can choose when, how, and if to teach sex education at all, and even then they are often not following the comprehensive, medically accurate approach. This is dangerous for Montana’s youth.

  5. Montana Youth are at Risk • In 2009 47.6% of all Montana high school students reported being sexually active • 16.8% of 7th & 8th graders reported being sexually active • In 2006, Montana had a 9% increase in the number of teen pregnancies • Currently there is no statewide • In Montana ______ # of girls get pregnant every hour/day/week • In Montana ______# of young people (between the ages of 15-24) are diagnosed with an STD every hour/day/week

  6. Facts about Comprehensive Sex Ed • Studies and evaluations of comprehensive sex education consistently find that it does not: • Encourage teens to start having sexual intercourse • Increase the frequency with which teens have intercourse • Increase the number of sexual partners teens have

  7. Where We are Working • We have targeted three communities, based on population, cultural distinction and geography: • Helena • Great Falls • Missoula

  8. Facts about Comprehensive Sex Ed • Studies and evaluations of comprehensive sex education consistently find that it does: • Delay the onset of intercourse • Reduce the frequency of intercourse • Reduce the number of sexual partners • Increase condom and contraceptive use

  9. Your Role • Schools give facts, parents give values • While it is important for parents to discuss health behaviors with their children, it is also crucial that kids are educated about sex with medically accurate, age appropriate l

  10. How You Can Become an Advocate • Letters to the Editor • Op-Ed pieces • Attend public input meetings for Health Enhancement Curriculum Review • Contacting local school officials • We will be more specific here- superintendent names, etc

  11. Resources • In your community • List local resources -- some thoughts on what this should be? • On the web: • SIECUS : http://www.siecus.org • Advocates for Youth: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org • List of sample curriculums available on the web

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