Menstrual Dignity for Students Program Updates - April 2024

Menstrual Dignity for Students Newsletter  

In This Newsletter: 

• Mandatory Requirements of Menstrual Dignity for Students 
• Reimbursement Forms Being Accepted Now 
• National Menstrual Equity Highlight: Massachusetts 
• Resource for Answering Questions About Periods 

Mandatory Requirements of Menstrual Dignity for Students 

The Menstrual Dignity Act requires that menstrual products be stocked in every student bathroom. It is important that these products are regularly available and stocked. Programs may be reimbursed for staff time spent installing products in dispensers. Dispensers must be stocked and installed in order to be in compliance with the Division 22 rule related to Menstrual Dignity. The Menstrual Dignity for Students  Team is here to collaborate as a thought partner with programs to ensure menstrual products continue to be available in restrooms. Please email us at ODE.Menstrual-Dignity@ode.oregon.gov. 

Reimbursement Forms Being Accepted Now  

The purchasing period for Menstrual Dignity for students has begun. Funding agreements for the 2023-25 biennium will be sent out very soon. The Menstrual Dignity for Students Team strongly encourages all programs to submit reimbursement forms for expenses incurred during the 2023-24 school year ahead of receiving agreements. This will expedite the process once contracts are received. Menstrual Dignity funds have been allocated and will still be disbursed this year. This calculator shows how much each program will receive by ADM. The Menstrual Dignity for Students Team is available to help you fill out the Reimbursement form. Click here to create an appointment.

National Menstrual Equity Spotlight: Massachusetts  

The Menstrual Dignity for Students Team at ODE has been meeting with representatives from 10 of the 20 other states that require period products to hear about their successes and areas for growth. Boston Public Schools Menstrual Access Program has been offering Menstrual Products in middle and high schools since 2019. They are piloting Pads on a Roll, a pad dispensing system that works very similarly to toilet paper dispensers. Advocacy in Massachusetts has led to the passage of the I AM Bill by their State Senate, offering menstrual products not only in schools, but also in homeless shelters and prisons. 

Resource for Answering Questions About Periods 

Nemours KidsHealth is a program of Nemours Children’s, which is one of the largest integrated pediatric health systems in the country. This website includes a Puberty and Growing Up FAQ that has some helpful language for answering questions about periods. The Menstrual Dignity Toolkit includes this website along with as many other instructional materials and resources categorized for elementary, middle, and high school in this Menstruation Instructional Materials hand-out.