The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50521

Robert Becker, MS, Planned Parenthood of New York City, 26 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012, 212-274-7336, robert.becker@ppnyc.org

As part of a multi-component sexuality education and teenage pregnancy prevention program implemented by Planned Parenthood of New York City, teachers and other school personnel received an intensive 10-hour training to help staff respond to children�s questions and handle situations related to sexuality comfortably, accurately, and with age-appropriate information. The training was delivered to several K-8th public schools and included modules that address adolescent sexuality and development, values clarification, gender and sexuality, answering tough questions, and using teachable moments to incorporate sexuality topics in the classroom. The training supplemented 8-20 hours of direct sexuality education with the students and outreach and communication workshops with the parents. Through weekly and lunchtime training sessions, teachers developed new skills and confidence to address the myriad of sexuality issues that arise within the school context. Teachers were better prepared to respond to their students questions that came up as a result of their participation in the sexuality workshops and were more willing to try to proactively incorporate sexuality issues within their own lessons. As a result of the training, teachers were more knowledgeable about sexuality issues, more accepting of comprehensive sexuality education, and more comfortable addressing sexuality issues within the school.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Discuss the importance of training elementary and middle-school teachers on addressing sexuality issues within their schools
• Recognize the role values play in a teacher�s willingness and ability to address sexuality issues
• Discuss the importance of teachers addressing student values and social norms.
• Identify the strategies teachers can employ to comfortably and effectively communicate with their students
• Describe an effective training program to increase teachers�Ecapacity to integrate sexuality education into their existing curricula

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.