In April, people from every background and in every state come together to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month & Sexual Assault Action Month. For educators and schools, this is an opportunity to link arms with the many partners who share a vision of violence-free schools and communities. Whether it’s the work of a child advocacy or domestic violence center, a culturally specific organization, school, or community center – preventing violence is a collective effort.

Educators can use this month to deepen conversations around Erin’s Law and the Healthy Teen Relationships Act. For example, in elementary school, discussing how healthy relationships are safe and respectful. In middle school, guiding students to identify strategies to maintain safe relationships – with discussions on how to manage conflict and navigate rejection. And in high school, prompting students to consider their unique roles in preventing violence and promoting nonviolence in relationships and communities. Alongside parents and caregivers, educators contribute to students’ foundational understanding of what healthy relationships feel like, of where to get help and support from trusted adults and the community, and that everyone deserves to be safe and treated with respect. Lessons that explore these topics are identified in Sex Ed Open Learning Project’s User Guide.

This month’s newsletter has many resources to support instruction on topics like these during child abuse prevention month and sexual assault action month. Sexuality education is a necessary component of preventing violence and abuse.

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR

Photo by Artem Kniaz on Unsplash

ODE Menstrual Dignity Program Updates

Menstrual Dignity Contracts

School districts, ESDs, and charter schools should have received contracts for the 2022-23 Menstrual Dignity for Students grant program. If you have not received a contract, please contact ode.menstrual-dignity@ode.oregon.gov. If you have received a contract, please return a signed copy of the contract by May 15.

Asserting Compliance & Claiming Funds

Please complete the Participation and Reimbursement form and make sure the amount reported in the form matches the amount claimed on EGMS. If the amounts do not match, the EGMS claim will be rejected and returned for correction. Rejected claims require correction and resubmission to EGMS. All reimbursements for the 2022-23 school year will need to be submitted and funds claimed by August 14, 2023.

Declining Menstrual Dignity for Students Grant funds

If your school district, ESD, or charter school declines funds for the 2022-23 school year, the Participation and Reimbursement form still must be submitted. The form serves as your attestation of compliance with mandatory requirements to provide menstrual products at no cost to students. For more information on the requirements and best practices of the program, please see the Menstrual Dignity for Students Toolkit. 

We appreciate you for ensuring that menstruation need not be a barrier to any student’s participation in education across Oregon. If you have any questions, please contact ode.menstrual-dignity@ode.oregon.gov. 

Resources for Educators for Child Abuse Prevention & Sexual Assault Action Month

• How to Talk with Kids About Personal Safety and Sexual Abuse, Committee for Children’s Hot Chocolate Talk, 2022 
• Prevention Land, new a video on sexual violence prevention by Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force (SATF), April 2023
• Supporting Youth Safety and Wellness in Sex Ed, Healthy Teen Network, January 5, 2023
• Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, free resource bundle from ETR.
• Understanding and Preventing Sextortion recorded webinar, Amaze/THORN.
• Center Survivors: A Resource for Families and Educators in Responding to Sexual Violence Learning for Justice.

Job & Grant Opportunities

Grant Opportunity

OHA has released a Youth Advisory Council Grant. This one year grant is geared towards schools, school districts and community based organizations and ranges from $10,000 to $50,000.

The three award opportunities:

1. Food, Housing and Income Support Grant
2. Cultural and Community Engagement Grant
3. Culturally Responsive and Expansive Mental Health Support Grant

The YAC encourages the following schools and community organizations to apply: Those serving communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 including but not limited to youth of color, tribal communities, communities with lower median family income, and rural and frontier communities; those that are planning to use funds for youth-led projects.

For more information, please explore the application on the website and reach out to lev.schneidman@oha.oregon.gov with any questions.