Dearest colleagues, 

We hope you’re all finding moments here and there, between the snow, rain, and hail, to reflect on the concept that we explored in our early-April newsletter: sexuality education is prevention. As we continue Sexual Assault Action Month, this mid-month newsletter provides resources that help us fine-tune our classroom education to prevent violence. This month’s theme is Building Safe Online Spaces Together. You can find many educational resources on supporting students to practice digital consent, to seek help in supporting others in the case of harmful content and behaviors, and to maintain safe and affirming online communities throughout this newsletter.

It’s also STI/STD Awareness Month! Is a great time to redouble our STI prevention and education efforts. According to the 2020 Oregon Student Health Survey, only half of students entering high school had learned about how to use condoms for pregnancy and STI prevention. This gap in education significantly impacts student behavior: the same survey found that only half of students had used a condom during last sexual intercourse. Please review these additional resources for educators, student-facing videos and great instructional materials for and by native youth. 

And one more thing– start looking forward to May! May is Oregon Youth Sexual Health Month and National Sex Ed for All Month! Stay tuned for more.

In this newsletter, we will share with you some announcements, research, resources, and opportunities for training by ODE, as well as other offerings by statewide and national colleagues that may be of interest to you. 

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR

Section photo by PHUOC LE on Unsplash

Sex Ed News & Resources 

ODE is committed to supporting school districts with implementing Oregon Human Sexuality Education (OAR 581-022-2050), which requires the use of "inclusive materials, language, and strategies that recognizes different sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expression" that must also be "culturally inclusive." Our collective goal is for all students to feel safe, seen, heard, and valued. 

Please see below for related news and relevant resources as you consider how to implement K-12 comprehensive sexuality education. 

News Stories 

• Period Poverty in a Pandemic, News Medical and Columbia University, April 19, 2022
• Transgender Minors Have a Right to Gender-Affirming Care, Justice Dept. Warns States, The 19th, April 5, 2022
• After The Storm: Policy Recommendations to Reconnect Opportunity Youth during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic, an outline of local, state, and federal policy proposals from leading national and local partners in the youth advocacy space, the Aspen Institute, April 6, 2022
• How Sexual Violence Can Make Student Debt Harder to Pay Off, Teen Vogue, April 14, 2022

Sexual Assault Action Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month Resources 

• Oregon State Proclamation of Sexual Assault Action Month from the Office of Governor Brown, April 2022
• Presidential Proclamation of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, April 2022
• Hot Chocolate Talk, child protection campaign by the Committee for Children
• Reclaim/Reclama, a digital art magazine by people impacted by sexual violence by SARC Oregon
• Conversation Guides for Parents and Caregivers, bilingual guides on healthy relationships, by NO MORE and Ezperanza United
• How Title IX Protects the Rights of All Young People, Healthy Teen Network
• Collective Action for Equity, a free toolkit for the prevention of sexual violence
• Caja De Herramientas Yo Soy SAAM 2022, A collection of 39 original and curated resources for bilingual advocates from Alas

This spotlight section is a feature by ODE staff that shines a spotlight on one aspect of K-12 comprehensive sexuality education. If you have a topic request for a future Spotlight, let us know at ode.sexed@ode.oregon.gov. 

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

Youth Opportunity: Oregon My Future My Choice Teen Advisory Board (TAB)

The ODHS My Future-My Choice program is recruiting high school teens to apply for their Teen Advisory Board (TAB) that starts next fall of 2022 and ends spring of 2023.The TAB acts as the youth voice of the My Future-My Choice program.  Members are asked to share program feedback, advocate for quality youth sexual health education in their communities, and take part in leadership development trainings/activities. TAB member responsibilities include:

• Meeting monthly for 1 hour with an assigned local mentor (October 2022-March 2023)
• Meeting monthly for 1 hour (virtual) with the entire board (October 2022-March 2023)
• Completing a youth sexual health equity project
• Participating in the virtual Leadership Kick-Off Weekend October 15-16, 2022
• Participating in the End of the Year Meeting March 11-12, 2023 (may be in-person. All expenses paid for by MFMC program). 

Upon completion of the program, TAB members are offered a $350 stipend for their participation.

You can also find the TAB Application here. Feel free to share flyers to high school teens in your community who may be interested in this program. The application deadline is June 15th.

Youth Survey: The Human Rights Campaign Foundation Survey

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation and researchers at the University of Connecticut are conducting a study to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth, ages 13 to 18. The survey will ask LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 18 about their experiences as an LGBTQ+ person at home, in school and across various aspects of their daily lives. Youth who complete the survey have the option to be compensated for their participation. All responses will be confidential. PPRA may apply.

Job Opening: Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (OCADSV)

OCADSVA is hiring for a Conference Consultant & Planner and Equity and Access Coordinator. Please send a cover letter and resume to Jobs@ocadsv.org. 

Job Opening: Familias En Acción

Familias En Acción is hiring a HIV/STI Program Coordinator. Send your resume and a cover letter that describe your knowledge, skills and professional experience that demonstrate your capacity to perform the “Requirements and Qualifications” as described above. Please send both your resume and cover letter as attachments to Ayla Rosen at ayla@familiasenaccion.org

Job Opportunity: Resiliency Skills Coordinator

Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) is hiring for a Resiliency Skills Coordinator to provide crisis intervention, advocacy, and support for both Spanish and English speaking survivors of sexual violence as well as outreach to community partners. Please access the application on the SASS website. 

Job Opportunity: Executive Director 

The Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force is hiring for their Executive Director. The Executive Director supports agency staff and programmatic activities, reports to the Board of Directors and the SATF Steering Committee, and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievements, legislative advocacy, fundraising efforts, and financial objectives. To Apply: Send a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to satfboard@oregonsatf.org with “Executive Director” in the subject line. Application review begins May 1st, 2022.

Opportunity: Oregon Public Health Association Conference Call for Proposals

The Oregon Public Health Association invites proposals for the 2022 OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting.  Abstracts addressing all public health topics are welcome and presenters should seek to make connections between research, policy and practice. Abstract submissions will be accepted May 2 through June 17, 2022. 

Opportunity: National Sex Ed Conference Call for Proposals

The National Sex Ed conference, the largest conference in the United States designed exclusively for sexuality educators,is currently accepting proposals for their 2022 conference. Proposals are due by May 31.