SH Toolbox-Sexual Health - Recently Updated Pages

Prevalence, nature of this health problem

rosellep — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:16:20 CDT

This page lists resources, research and reports on the prevalence and nature of sexual health issues related to youth.

General overview

Report from Public Health Agency of Canada: Healthy Settings for Young People in Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/yjc/ch4_84_86-eng.php

Specific aspects of this issue

Pregnancy
Excerpts from Canadian Paediatric Society Statement (Posted Oct 24 by D McCall)
Pregnancy among Canadian adolescents has been decreasing in recent decades. In 2003, there were 33,553 pregnancies to women younger than 20 years (includes live births and fetal losses [from database of hospital-reported stillbirths, miscarriages and abortions]). This represents an overall rate of 27.1 per 1000 population, which has been falling since 1994 when it was 48.8 per 1000. The pregnancy rate is highest among 18- to 19-year-olds (Table 1), many of whom have planned pregnancies. The rate among 15- to 17-year-olds, while considerably lower, likely includes a higher proportion of unplanned adolescent pregnancies (1). Pregnancies among girls younger than 15 years represent a small proportion of overall pregnancies in the adolescent population.

New:
Healthy Settings for Young People in Canada, PHAC, 2008. (health risk behavours, sexual activity)
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/yjc/ch4_84_86-eng.php

Contraception

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Excerpts from Health Canada Report May 2007 (Posted October 24-07 by D McCall)
This report confirms that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an escalating public health concern and challenge in Canada. Since 1997, reported rates of genital chlamydia and gonorrhea have been steadily increasing. Rates of infectious syphilis began to increase slowly in 1997 and then rose rapidly from 2000 onwards. As of 2004, all three reportable bacterial STIs are continuing their upward climb, affecting more and more Canadians.

The burden of STIs in Canada is not uniformly distributed throughout the population. Young women continue to be disproportionately affected by genital chlamydia, and gonorrhea infection is concentrated in males aged 20 to 29 years. Males over the age of 30 account for the majority of infectious syphilis cases. Marked geographic differences are also seen with rates of genital chlamydia and gonorrhea being highest in the north, followed by Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Infectious syphilis rates are highest in British Columbia. Ontario, not surprisingly given its large population, reports the greatest number of cases for all three notifiable STIs. These three infections account for over half of all notifiable diseases reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada (Figure 1). This comparison paints a clear picture of the burden of disease directly attributable to STIs, which is further augmented by the significant morbidity and sequelae of some other sexually transmissible infections.

Relationships

Sexual harassment/dating violence

Gender Issues

Discrimination & Stigma based on sexual orientation and/or gender orientation

Recent news, upcoming events

rosellep — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:33:25 CDT

Schools and Sexual Health symposium April 21; prior to School Health Conference Apr.21-23 in Ottawa-Gatineau. http://www.cash-aces.ca/conference_2008/

Sexual Health Symposium Monday, April 21st Learning. Sharing. Networking.

Sexual Health in Canada Baseline 2007:

Highlights and implications for delivering targeted sexual health education.

So Much to Cover, So Little Time:

How do we decide what programming we will design and offer in sexual health education? This workshop will present the leading guidelines as a framework for increasing effectiveness when we are working within severe time constraints.

The After Party: sex, drugs and alcohol
This program was developed to raise student awareness of the potential impact of substance use on sexual health outcomes. Presentation will include an overview of the program, DVD screening and discussion regarding systemic and implementation issues.

Party in the Right Spirit An initiative to promote safe and safer partying among senior high school students. This presentation will address the process of establishing relationships, and coorinating and implementing this initiative in schools; as well as describing the educational component and sharing examples of resources used.

Resources for Educators in Sexual Health:

An overview of the variety of on-line and hard copy resources available from SOGC and others.

Sexual Health Education Highlights: participant sharing of favorite good and best practices and resources.

The Wiki: what, how, and why...

A look at an on-line tool that can support participant learning and sharing within a Sexual Health Community of Practice.

Webinars on Schools and Sexual Health Promotion (Posted Oct 21-07 by DMcCall)
The Canadian School Health Knowledge Network is organizing several webinars that relate to sexual health and schools (See below). There will be several other webinars on this topic throughout the school year. The updated schedule can be found at: http://www.safehealthyschools.org/webinars/schedule.htm

Peer-led Sexual Health Education

Willow Dunlop, YouthCO AIDS Society, Vancouver BC

Date: January 15/08 at 11:00 a.m. PT to noon PT

Sexuality Transmitted Infections: What the Research Tells Us

Dr. Alex McKay, Sex Information and Education Council of Canada

Date: February 5/08 at 11:00 a.m. PT to noon PT

What Works in Sexual Health Education: Handling Controversy & Dispelling Myths

Roselle Paulsen, Sexuality Education Resource Centre, Winnipeg Manitoba

Date: TBC ( http://www.safehealthyschools.org/webinars/introduction.htm

for updates)

Dating Violence Research and Implications for Promoting Healthy

Dating Relationships

Canadian Red Cross Society Representatives from their "What's Love Got

to Do with It?" program

Date: TBC ( http://www.safehealthyschools.org/webinars/introduction.htm

for updates)

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer refutes Maclean's article on HPV vaccine (Posted Oct 24-07 by D McCall)
The kinds of questions raised in the article have been debated at the introduction of virtually every public health measure in our history, from the treatment of water supplies to the introduction of life-saving vaccines. Having a healthy debate is essential; however, Dr. Butler-Jones believes that the way Maclean's has approached the issue of the HPV vaccine is inappropriate and one-sided.

School-based/linked sexual health services

rosellep — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:08:54 CDT

This page lists resources on the school-based and school-linked delivery of sexual health and related services.

Overview

Referral and coordination with service providers

Support for pregnant students/new parents

Support for students living with HIV

Clinic/physicians working with schools

School-based clinics

Role of public health nurse

According to the policy statement “School-based and School-linked Sexual Health Education and Promotion in Canada” (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2003) “research on school-based or school-linked health clinics clearly shows that by making adolescent health services convenient and friendly to youth, access and use of those services increases, health improves, and socio-economic costs decline.”

The following provides examples of services that are school-linked and in rare circumstances school-based and/or are often promoted through schools (e.g. help lines, counselling services).

In Manitoba there are currently three school-based health centres with approximately 5 more currently in development. Most of these clinics serve youth (loosely defined at 12-21) although 2 clinics only serve the school population. The clinics are administered through a partnership between the primary care provider (usually a community health clinic or regional health authority), the school and the funders. In the case of Manitoba the provincial government (Healthy Child Manitoba) currently funds two clinics and is developing another two that will be open for service in 2007/08. The regional health authorities fund some and some community health centres allocate a portion of their general operating budget for teen clinics. Healthy Child Manitoba is currently undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of our funded teen clinics. As the evaluation is not complete I don’t have anything to share at this time. Healthy Child Manitoba through its Healthy Adolescent Development Strategy is currently in the process of completing a Teen Clinic Services Model Manual that includes a literature and best practices review of teen clinic services. Further information on these, as available, will be incorporated in to this inventory.

Windsor-Essex County area of Ontario has a number of school-based health clinics. In one case a community health centre operates out of a school. For more information visit: http://www.wechealthunit.org.

The Halifax Regional District School board has Youth Health Centres in all 18 high schools. There is a YHC Coordinator assigned full time for each YHC and they have responsibility for their high school and junior high feeder schools. Public Health Services (Capital Health) entered into a partnership in 2003 with the Halifax Regional School Board to have a YHC in each high school (and have since worked with the other two school boards in the health district to establish YHCs in their schools too). Find out more at: http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/content/id/223.html.

Saskatchewan Teen Wellness Centres have been developed in various locations, several in schools, throughout the province to improve the health and wellness of youth and provide education, information and services around a variety of topics and issues. The establishment of Teen Wellness Centres began in 1995 following an extensive literature review and a community grant initiative that indicated a need for such centres. To date, nine wellness centres that received their initial funding from the Advisory Committee on Family Planning (ACFP) are functioning in Saskatchewan.

The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health is a national network that takes leadership in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and abroad through:

Public education and awareness
Support for the delivery of programs and services in Canada
Advocacy
International projects and liaison with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

For 40 years, CFSH has worked nationally and internationally to ensure that people have access to universal, reliable information and services in order to make informed decisions related to their sexual and reproductive health. CFSH is a pro-choice organization. Twenty-two independent member associations in more than 60 communities across Canada provide clinical services, education, and counseling. The following are a sampling of the types of services and supports available:

Options for Sexual Health (a CFSH affiliate) offers a series of services and programs, including:

http://wontgetweird.com – a website that links people to a network of BC (and AB) organizations to those who provide related services and supports.

For Professionals: a section will be for health professionals, educators, and all others interested in current and emerging issues in sexual and reproductive health. It includes Curriculum and protocols...provides files of lesson plans, resources, and ideas available for downloading and ii) Things to read and study provides access to Options for Sexual Health and other print resources as well as links to the best reproductive health websites.

For Youth: common Q and A’s online; the Facts of Life Line is a confidential phone line staffed by registered nurses and trained volunteers. They are available to answer your questions about birth control, STDs & HIV, pregnancy options, sexual and/or gender identity or anything to do with sexuality or reproductive health.

For Parents: a dedicated section that provides resources and answers to many of the questions parents might have including:

Ask Joy! for answers to common questions about how to talk to your kids about sexual health. Check out our comprehensive Just the Facts! section for information on birth control, STDs, and sexuality. We have also provided an extensive list of external resource links that expand on the information we provide.
The Safe OnLine Outreach Society (SOLOS) and the McCreary Centre Society have teamed up to produce a CD called “You, The Web and Sex: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Sexuality Online”. The CD is also a valuable primer for parents. For more information go to www.safeonlineoutreach.org.wionsforsexualhealth.org

Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba: provides a variety of resources including: Workshops for Teens, Parents and Educatorsincluding:

Teen Talk is an established Youth Health Education Service based out of Klinic Community Health Centre. It provides services from a youth-friendly perspective to youth in school, youth at risk and service providers. Help Your Friends. The S Team is a group of youth formed through the "Empowering Rural Youth Towards healthy Sexuality" Project headquartered in the SERC Brandon office.

The S-Team offers peer educatoin workshops to rural youth on sexual health, drug an alcohol use, and HIV/DTI prevention. For a listing of the workshops offered, go to S Team Workshops. Workshops for parents, teachers, counsellors, community educators, and other service providers on the following topics:

Sexuality Policy and Guidelines
Sexual Development
Adolescent Sexuality
Birth Control Options and Issues
Reproductive Health
Adolescent Pregnancy
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Date Rape Awareness
Intercultural Awareness and Communication
Culturally Sensitive Programming
Working with a Health Interpreter
Relationships and Decision Making
Family Sexuality Education
Sexuality and Developmental Disabilities
Teaching / Facilitation Skills

The Little Black Book (LBB) is a resource developed by youth for youth. It increases young people's ability to access information and community resources. The LBB addresses a range of topics including job safety, tobacco use, drinking and using drugs, budgeting, suicide prevention and sexual health. The book is intended for students in Grade 9 to 12. In addition, SERC offers a wide variety of resources (many available in several languages) including newsletters, teacher training, pamphlets and fact sheets are also available, including: Abstinence: Postponing Sexual Intercourse; Male Childhood Sexual Abuse; Tips for Toys; What You Should Know About HIV/AIDS

Think Again Campaign (MB):This project began in 1998 to help to address the issue of teen pregnancies in Manitoba. The Manitoba Association of School Trustees (MAST) invited community agency and parent representatives to discuss a campaign concept. Other key partners in the development of the Think Again initiative included Klinic, Sexuality Education Resource Centre, and the Government of Manitoba. In 2005, the Think Again Committee began the process of updating the existing facilitator resource, pamphlet and website. Maintaining a harm reduction approach, and based upon feedback from youth and educators, the Committee moved toward updating the resources with a more positive, current look. The focus of information continues to be sexual decision making, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. While the pamphlet and website do not address all information available on these issues, they do provide an introduction to key issues and information, plus referrals to other service providers for more personal support and to other sites for more detailed information.

Planned Parenthood Edmonton offers a variety of services to teachers, youth and schools, including:

Are We There Yet? interactive theatre presentations and workshops on setting boundaries and sexual decision making for Junior High students.
Workshops on sexual decision making for Senior High students.
Training peer educators from 30 schools through the Expecting Respect Peer Education Program
One on one support and referrals to students regarding a range of sexual health issues.
Outlines for classroom presentations, resources, and referral
Program planning and problem solving consultations
Teacher and post-secondary student training in sexual health

Newfoundland Labrador Sexual Health Centre offers a series of materials, a phone line, workshops on LBGT and Sexual Health; Sexual Health and Persons with Disabilities; Menopause; How to Speak to Youth About Sex; and we've provided training for outreach professionals, and extensive Sexual Transmitted Infection training for the new Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Local health authorities have a number of resources to teach healthy sexuality to all age groups. These include both videos and kits. Topics covered are puberty, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, decision-making and relationship skills. In addition, some Public Health offer youth clinics outside of schools and school hours – some of these like an initiative from Vancouver Coastal Health include school-based services.

City of Toronto Public Health also offers a variety of services for young people, including:

Community Health Centres for Teens
Toronto Sexual Health Clinics
Phone Lines
Free Counselling Services

YouthCO AIDS Society (BC) is a non-profit organization building capacity with youth between the ages of 15-29 throughout BC to reduce vulnerability to HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis C through peer support, peer education and shared leadership.

Island Sexual Health Society offers sexual health clinics and sex education programs in Greater Victoria, BC. They also have a lot of online sexual health information and offer teacher training related services.

www.planetahead.ca is an interactive web site related to sexual health designed for youth by youth.

www.ayn.ca is the Aboriginal Youth Network site designed for Aboriginal youth. It includes a variety of content areas related to health including sexual health.

www.spiderbytes.ca is a service of the Teen Sex Information Program, a program of Planned Parenthood of Toronto and is funded by the United Way of Greater Toronto. It is designed to respond to questions about sexual health issues and to provide current information, links and referrals on a range of topics pertaining to healthy sexuality.

Calgary Outlink offers a variety of services to the general public and members including: peer support; front-line help service for GLBT individuals and their family and friends, or anyone questioning their sexuality; a crisis support line that offers 24/7 support; 24 hr. info line; library, drop in centre and a peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ under 25. The group aims to let youth know they are not alone, and to connect them with their peers.

http://www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk is a UK based web site developed/funded by the Department of Health. It is youth friendly and includes sections on a variety of health issues including sexual health. It also includes a section for teachers that is linked to the health related education curriculum.

http://www.sexetc.org/ is a US based, university linked web site designed for youth by youth. Its content includes a variety of health and social issues, including sexual health. Kids Help Phone: http://www.kidshelpphone.ca – a national help line that operates 24/7 365 days a year, have introduced brand new in-school materials designed to let students know they have a place to turn for free, professional counselling, 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. Click on Order Free Materials to find out how you can order Kids Help Phone posters, brochures, or wallet cards for your school.

http://www.teenwire.com is the Planned Parenthood of America's teen web site which contains a wide range of information on sexual and reproductive health, much of it written by youth. The 'Ask the Expert' section contains answers to frequently asked questions by teens. The answer to 'Am I Ready?' (search using that title) provides information for people deciding whether or not to become sexually active.

Egale Canada advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified people, and their families, across Canada. Recognizing the need to protect and include ALL students, Egale has launched its Safe Schools Campaign.

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a (US) national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States From Our House to the Schoolhouse: Tools for creating safe schools and responding to harassment and bullying are at the center of these programs.

Canadian Health Network’s sexual and reproductive health section offers information for youth and parents about how to prevent sexually transmitted infections, birth control information and protecting your fertility. Canadian HIV/AIDS information gateway site CONNECT is a union catalogue. You can use it to search the library collections of the five largest HIV/AIDS libraries in Canada. That's a combined collection of over 67 000 books, videos, DVDs, journal articles, and other resources on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and legal/ethical issues, among many other topics. http://www.iwannaknow.org from the American Social Health Association provides a safe, educational and fun place for teenagers to learn about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their sexual health. It also includes a section for parents.

Additional items of interest related to services:

Sexual and Reproductive Health Counselling Guidelines (2004) from the CFSH is Canada's first Sexual and Reproductive Health Counselling guidelines. Based on the experience of key informants working in the field, the guidelines can be used as a tool to improve support skills, train staff or provide additional information for clients in a clinical, community or educational setting. The guidelines cover the following 5 areas: sexuality, pregnancy options, safer sex, abuse and violence, and STI/HIV testing.

The “Clinic Assessment of Youth Friendly Services: A Tool for Rapid Assessment and Improving Reproductive Health for Youth” was developed to facilitate the rapid assessment of youth friendly characteristics, providing the basis for developing and implementing a comprehensive action plan. Among the key issues assessed are provider attitudes, privacy and confidentiality, access to service, supportive policies and administrative procedures.

Standards for Youth Health Centres in Nova Scotia from the Nova Scotia Department of Health

Comprehensive Approaches to School Sexual Health Promotion

rosellep — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:05:31 CDT

This page lists resources that explain how comprehenive approaches to promoting sexual health and preventing STI, AIDS and other sexual health problems through schools can be done. This includes linking sexual health to other issues such as mental health, relationships, youth development, gender equity, personal and social development, by expliciting using multi-level (ministry, schoolboard/agency, school/neighbourhood) strategies within education, health and other systems. It also includes a comprehensive approach to sexual health that includes sexual health, STI and HIV/AIDS prevention, contraception, pregnancy and reproduction, relationships, sexual harassment and other issues.

See the links below, to research and guidelines.

Instructional programs

rosellep — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:42:56 CDT

This page lists a variety of resources related to curriculum, instruction and teaching/learning about sexual health and related issues.

Overview

Curricula (descriptions of what should be taught)
This is the basic way students and staffs receive health, wellness, health risks and health issues. The following provides links to the relevant curriculum documents from provincial and territorial health related curricula:

Health and Career Education K-7: Integrated Resource Package overviews the prescribed learning objectives, including those related to sexual and reproductive health.

Health and Career Education 8 and 9: Integrated Resource Packageand Learning Resources

Planning 10 Integrated Resource Package: curriculum outcomes include health decisions and their effects such as sexual decision making and HIV/AIDS.

The Government of Yukon is a full partner in the Western and Northern Canadian Protocol (WNCP). This protocol supports the development of common curriculum frameworks for Western and Northern Canada. Within these frameworks, the British Columbia program of studies forms the basis of the Yukon curriculum. This curriculum is frequently adapted to reflect local needs and conditions.

Alberta Education’s K-9 Health and Life Skills (2002), K – 12 Physical Education (2000) and Career and Life Management (CALM) programs of studies outline the student learning outcomes for health.

The K-9 Health and Life Skills and CALM Guides to Implementation are resources to support student learning the programs. The guides contain information on comprehensive school health, establishing a positive learning environment, planning, instructional strategies, and assessment. The guide also contains illustrative examples that offer sample learning and assessment activities for each specific learner outcome. Selected outcomes also have supporting Student Information and Student Activity Masters. A number of Teacher Planning Tools are also provided.

Health/CALM/Career Education Contacts
Programs of Study
Learning and Teaching Resources

The human sexuality concepts in CALM are designed to result in a quality instructional program, which: instills sensitivity to and awareness of the impact of one’s behaviour on others, stressing that sexual health is an interactive process that requires respect for self and others; emphasizes the self-worth and dignity of the individual. In Alberta, the human sexuality component of the health curriculum begins in Grade 4 and is taught every year until Grade 9. It is then taught at the senior high school level in CALM.

Northwest Territories: NWT Skills for Healthy Relationships (1996) has been adapted to the NWT cultural context and K-9 NWT School Health Program (1991) For more information on SHR see:

The philosophy of Health Education is a Comprehensive School Health Approach designed to influence positively the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of students. It includes a wide range of school and community personnel collaborating to enhance the well-being of students. Health Education is one of the seven Required Areas of Study. Health Education content is taught, learned and evaluated using a decision-making process. A wellness perspective specific to each grade level provides a developmental focus.

See: Health Education: A Curriculum Guide for the Elementary Level (1998) at http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/health/health1-5/index.html and Health Education: A Curriculum Guide for the Middle Level (1998) http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/health/health6-9/index.html Elective - Life Transitions 20, 30: A Curriculum Guide for the Secondary Level (1996) http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/life/index.html

Saskatchewan Education continues to recommend a local liaison committee to support health education teachers and to faciliate coordinated planning. The role of the committee may vary from one community to another but the basics are to: provide support to the classroom and total school health education program; provide liaison with health-related programming in the community and/or health district and to provide a forum for discussion of parent/student/school ideas and concerns related to health education.

In addition, Saskatchewan Learning catalyst teacher initiative supports health education in schools by:

internalizing the philosophy and practices advocated in the renewed curriculum in order to be an in-school resource as well as a school division and provincial resource deliver a range of inservice sessions designed to meet the needs of schools and school divisions in renewing health education
promote the curriculum in their respective schools, school divisions, and in-service sessions in a variety of ways
become a mentor for health education teachers
support comprehensive school health in Saskatchewan.

Lists of recommended resources for Saskatchewan schools is available at: http://www.sasklearning.gov.sk.ca/curr_inst/iru/bibs/update06/ 2006 and The General Reference Centre (GRC) has an extensive collection of general Internet based reference sources to support all curriculum areas. The site also provides access to educational resources for professional development. The goal of the GRC is to bring the services of a library reference room to Internet users.The GRC is found at http://www.sasklearning.gov.sk.ca/pls/urldb/udb_gen_ref_pkg.gen_ref_by_subj_menu_form.

For general web resources related to sexual health, select the link “Sexuality” under the Subject Area” of Health Education. The Curriculum Specific Websites (URL Database) is a searchable collection of curriculum specific websites. These websites are directly linked to the Evergreen Curriculum and may be accessed in different ways. One way, is by selecting a particular WWW button within the online curriculum guide you are focusing on. Websites may also be accessed directly through the URL Database http://www.sasklearning.gov.sk.ca/pls/urldb/udb_pkg.main.

Teachers may suggest and evaluate websites for review in this database by registering as a resource evaluator using the online form found at http://www.sasklearning.gov.sk.ca/docs/EvaluatorRegistrationform.pdf

Nunavut schools follow the Alberta curriculum. Aulajaaqtut,currently being offered in high school Grades 10 and 11, and is being developed for Grade 12, was developed to respond to the need for more culturally relevant curriculum for physical education and health. The modules were developed in consultation with communities and Inuit Elders and focus on physical, emotional and cultural well-being. This new Inuktitut High School curriculum is designed to support a positive sense of cultural identity amongst Inuit youth. This curriculum looks at traditional Inuit games and their design to purposefully build the mental, physical and spiritual strength of the individual. It poses questions for youth to consider about lifestyle decisions and healthy living. Materials and curriculum are developed in collaboration with an advisory group of Inuit Elders on staff in the Department of Education. For more information contact: Cathy McGregor, Director Curriculum Development, at CmcGregor@gov.nu.ca.

Manitoba Human Sexuality resources, K-gr.8 and gr. 9-10 (gr. 12 in development 2008)
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/physhlth/curriculum.html (scroll down page to locate)

From Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth: Physical Education/Health Education Learning Resources: Kindergarten to Senior 2: Compilation of Annotated Bibliographies (2002-2004) were reviewed for the purpose of identifying materials that support Manitoba’s physical education/health education curriculum.

The Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum Outcomes are as follows: Grade 1 to 8 - Health and Physical Education include expectations related to growth and development throughout the years. See: The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education, 1998; The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: Health and Physical Education, 1999; Grades 11 and 12: Health and Physical Education, 2000

Au Québecle cirriculum offert dans les écoles francophone du Québec peut-être investigué au cite web de lacommision des programmes d’étude.http://www.cpe.gouv.qc.ca/plan.htm

From the New Brunswick Department of Education their Grades K-8 Health Curriculum:

Health Education Curriculum: Kindergarten – Grade 5, 2001 Health Education Curriculum: Grade 6, 2005 Health Education Curriculum: Grade 7, 2004 Health Education Curriculum: Grade 8, 2005

Francophone Health Curriculum – entitled “Formation personnelle et sociale” is also a required subject for all K-10 students. It consists of 4 domaines: Personal relationships, citizenship, health and consumerism. Curriculum documents are found at the following Web pages:

http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/servped/FPS-Ma2.pdf http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/servped/FPS3e-5eannee.pdf http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/servped/FPS68version2005.pdf http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/servped/FPS741119e.pdf http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/servped/FPS10e.pdf

Nova Scotia’s Health Education for Primary-Gr. 9 is part of the core program:

Foundation for Active, Healthy Living: Physical and Health Education Curriculum (1998)
Health Education, Grades 4–6 (2003)
Health/Personal Development and Relationships, Grades 7-9 (2000)
Lets Talk about...Health Education, Grades Primary–3

Prince Edward Island is currently creating a new Health curriculum. The grades 1-3 health curricula are being piloted. Work is set to begin on the grades 7-9 curriculum. Francophone curriculum of relevance includes:

Le programme d'études pour la formation personnelle et sociale 7e année
Le programme d'études pour la formation personnelle et sociale 8e année Le programme d'études pour la formation personnelle et sociale 9e année

In Newfoundland and Labrador new secondary school curriculum has recently been released. See links for complete curricula for NFLD:

Early Beginnings: A Kindergarten Curriculum Guide Towards a Comprehensive School Health Program: A Primary Health Curriculum Guide Towards a Comprehensive School Health Program: An Elementary Health Curriculum Guide Adolescence: Healthy Lifestyles (Health and Personal Development Curriculum) (Gr7-9)

CURRICULUM RESOURCES:

From the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health: Beyond the Basics: A Sourcebook on Sexual and Reproductive Heath Education Second Edition ($85.00): This extensive manual contains lesson plans for different age groups on a wide range of sexual health education topics including values, puberty and reproductive health, self esteem, sexual identity, relationships, communication and decision-making, contraception and safer sex and STIs and HIV. Beyond the Basics is the ideal resource for any educator teaching sexual and reproductive health education.

Positive Thinking: This publication was part of a national project that sought to measure Planned Parenthood's skills and needs in delivering services related to HIV/AIDS. The project was sponsored by CFSH and was funded by Health Canada. The publication highlights six best practices case studies across the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health member organizations. This publication can be ordered from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre

Youth Talk Back ($8.00) Pilot tested by youth from across Canada, Youth Talk Back is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn how to become more active media consumers and to raise their awareness about the relationship between media and sexuality. Funded by Health Canada, Youth Talk Back can be used in classrooms and community-based sexuality education settings. Print Mail Order Form

Youth Talk Back: Teacher's Guide ($8.00) provides educators with an overview of Youth Talk Back as well as some teaching tips and suggestions. Funded by Health Canada, Youth Talk Back can be used in classrooms and community-based sexuality education settings. Print Mail Order Form

Finding Our Way: A Sexual and Reproductive Health Sourcebook for Aboriginal Communities ($55.00): the first comprehensive Canadian resource on sexual and reproductive health within an Aboriginal cultural context. This 335-page Sourcebook includes up-to-date information, teaching resources, program models, and personal stories on sexual and reproductive health issues as defined by Aboriginal peoples. It was co-produced by the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. Topics include: parenting, grandparents, residential schools, sex education, youth sexuality, teen pregnancy, women's and men's sexual health, two-spirit people, birth control, healthy pregnancies and birth, family violence, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, reproductive cancers, and more. Drawing on a wealth of existing materials and suggests many more sources of information the Sourcebook reflects the diverse needs and realities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and will be of interest to nurses, community health representatives, teachers, counsellors, youth workers, and community leaders.

For Parents: a section of the CFSH web site is devoted to answering common questions that parents may have, including: How do I talk to my teen about sex?How do I handle questions about sex from my child?Sexuality and Youth with Intellectual Disabilities. I Think She's Pregnant.

For Youth: a section of the CFSH web site answers common questions that youth might have such as: Am I ready to have sex? How do I know? How far do I want to go? Why do I want to have sex? What about my values? Do I trust my partner?

InfoSexNet Email Bulletin contains news and resources of interest to organizations working in the field of sexual and reproductive health. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your subscription options, visit http://list.web.net/lists/listinfo/info-sexnet and follow the relevant instructions. InfoSexNet is a program of the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health supported by the Canadian Health Network.

From the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Contraception Awareness Programme: www.sexualityandu.ca

Rated one of the top 5 e-health projects in the world, sexualityandu.ca provides credible and up-to-date sexual health information to teens, adults, parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals. Their HPV campaign at www.hpvinfo.ca has as its centre piece of the public awareness campaign a comprehensive website that provides teens, adults, parents, teachers and health professionals with information about HPV, what it is and what they can do about it. From the Public Health Agency of Canada: a series of sexual health promotion and education resources, including:

Frequently Asked Questions on Emergency Contraception (2004)

"TALK TO ME" Sexuality Education for Parents (May 2004)

Self-Learning Module on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
• Martha's Case
• Terry's Case
• Clinical Slide Gallery

Raising the Roof

Developing a Youth Sexuality Education Program while Adopting a Mental Health Promotion Approach

What you need to know about STI - Sexually Transmitted Infections (2006)

What You Need to Know About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Frequently Asked Questions on Contraception (May 2002)

Oral Contraceptive and Condom Use (April 1998)

Lesson Plans for Sexual Health Educators - Grades 8-13: Let's Talk About Sex...But How?

Lesson Plans for Sexual Health Educators - Grades 8-13

Canada’s Health Portal offers resources for youth on a range of topics on sexuality including pregnancy, sexual orientation, practicing safer sex and sexually transmitted infections.

www.teachingsexualhealth.ca was developed by Alberta Health and Wellness and the Calgary Health Region, in partnership with a development team of educators. The site offers teachers evidence-based sexual health education background and delivery methods, current lesson plans and activities, and comprehensive resources. Sections for parents and youth. A recent update includes: Updated parent packsand updated "Get and Answer" section for teachers.

Sexual Health for Life: Unit Two: Sex, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness from the Government of Alberta (2004) for grades 7,8 and 9. This print resource contains seven sections of information regarding drug and alcohol awareness, including types and warning signs. The intent of the manual is to provide information regarding depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, tranquilizers and sedatives, date rape drugs, inhalant and solvent abuse. The resource was produced in Australia and contains Australian statistics, but that does not detract from the basic content. The manual is intended as a student workbook but would be appropriate as a teacher resource.

From the Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (www.CAHPERD.ca) the Always Changing Program: a school-based resource designed to help ease the transition between childhood and adolescence for boys and girls in grades 5 and 6. Students will have many questions about the physical and emotional changes they go through during puberty. This free set of instructional materials will help students understand that these changes are a normal part of growing up. Sponsored by Always and Tampax, the Always Changing program includes: A Changing Videotape for girls and boys; Teacher’s Guide; Information booklets for student and free product samples for girls. It is sponsored by the makers of Always and Tampax feminine hygiene products.

From Family Health International: Teaching Youth about Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS from a Christian Perspective. This manual contains 12 short workshops designed for working with youth in a Christian faith community. The manual provides basic information on communication, development, sexuality, reproductive health, HIV, and related issues.

The City of Toronto Public Health has recently developed a DVD titled Teaching Puberty, You Can Do It!Check up on Chlamydia: To reduce the rates of Chlamydia, Toronto Public Health has undertaken a 5 year social marketing campaign. The focus of the first phase is to increase testing for Chlamydia among family physicians. In 2007, the focus will be on youth and getting tested for Chlamydia.

Sex? - A Healthy Sexuality Resource (English and French) was developed by the Nova Scotia Office of Health Promotion, Department of Education, Department of Health, Public Health Services and community partners, the book was completed in August 2004. It can be viewed online at www.gov.ns.ca/ohp. The resource, targeting youth aged 12 - 17, has been distributed through Public Health in the District Health Authorities in partnership with participating schools and community groups.

The New Me: About Boys (Sunburst Visual Media @ www.sunburstvm.com; 2004) is a 15 minute video portrays two boys interested in learning more about puberty. They get a book from the public library and meet one of the boy’s cousins who is a pre‐med student, who uses the book to review the facts about puberty and reproduction. The boys ask questions about physical and emotional changes. They get detailed facts about the male reproductive system and how fertilization takes place. There are on-screen discussion and questions throughout the program, and a teacher’s guide with additional discussion questions, activities, and reproducible student handouts. A version for girls also entitled “The New Me: About Girls” is also available.

Always Changing (2005) includes an instructor’s booklet, a video, and a student guidebook. The resource covers physical, emotional, and social changes during puberty; identifies male and female reproductive systems; and describes the stages of the menstrual cycle and spermatogenesis. Video includes 20 minute sections for boys, girls, and boys and girls, allowing for flexible viewing options. The instructor’s guidebook provides background information for teachers and a few suggested activities. The small student guidebook reviews the content of the video in more detail. Available from PTM; toll-free tel: 1-800-454-2827.

What Kids Want to Know About Sex and Growing Up (B.C. Learning Connection Inc., 1997): This 55 minute video deals with puberty, sex, and sexual reproduction in a candid and reassuring manner through a series of discussions and very direct questions between two sex educators and real kids. The accompanying teacher’s guide provides a script of the video. The suggested classroom activities in the guide are not recommended as they are too simplistic, and teachers will need to develop their own pre-and post-viewing activities. This video was previously recommended for Personal Planning. While the information is current and very comprehensive, the hairstyles and clothing appear somewhat dated.

Health for Life 1 and 2 (from Pearson Education, http://www.pearsoned.ca/school/health/, 2005) consists of a student book and accompanying teacher’s guide. The student text includes eight chapters dealing with life learning, wellness choices, relationship choices, and looking forward.

GALEBC (Gay and Lesbian Educators BC, www.galebc.org/main.htm) advocates for a positive environment for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gendered people within the education system. This web site includes resources for teachers such as Challenging Homophobia in Schools, sample lesson plans, videos, and fiction and non-fiction resources.

Choices and Changes was created for the Yukon community by the Health Promotion Unit of the Government of Yukon, Canada, and Elijah Smith Elementary School, Choices and Changesis a curriculum for students in grades four through seven. Based on the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education, it consists of eight one-hour sessions per grade. Topics vary by grade level and include healthy relationships, friendship, boundaries, personal space, fetal development, puberty, parenting, body image, contraception, HIV/AIDS, STDs, gender roles, and sexuality and the media. It includes a component for parents/caregivers to involved in their children's sexuality education by introducing them to the curriculum before it begins. It also encourages subsequent parent sessions such as video screenings, question-and-answer sessions, or group discussions based on the needs of parents in the community. Facilitated parent discussions can include activities related to values clarification and communicating with children about sexuality. An evaluation of the Choices and Changes program is published in the Winter 2000, SIECCAN Newsletter.

Filling the Gaps: Hard to Teach Topics in Sexuality Education. Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, 1998. www.siecus.org Personal and Social Skills. Joyce V. Fetro, ETR Associates, 2000. www.etr.org Reducing the Risk: Building Skills to Prevent Pregnancy, STD & HIV. Richard P. Barth, ETR Associates, 1996. www.etr.org Safer Choices (levels 1 and 2; with student workbooks). Fetro, Coyle, Barth, ETR Associates, 1998. www.etr.org Changing Bodies, Changing Lives. Ruth Bell, Times Books, 1998. What’s Happening to My Body? (book for boys and book for girls). Lynda Maderas, Newmarket Press, 2000. Sex Sense Canadian Contraception Guide, 2nd edition. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, 2005. www.sogc.org Aids New Brunswick Pamphlets Aids New Brunswick: General Resources in New Brunswick; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Two-Spirited, Queer,

Questioning (GLBTQ) Targeted Resources Glencoe Health Health Issues 7 Gillda Leitenberg, Editor McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2002) Health Issues 7, Teacher’s Resource Guide Jaime Johansson McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2003) Health Issues 8 Gillda Leitenberg, Editor McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2002) Health Issues 8, Teacher’s Resource Guide Jaime Johansson McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2003) Health Issues 9 Gillda Leitenberg, Editor McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2002) Health Issues 7, Teacher’s Resource Guide Jaime Johansson McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2003) Education for Sexuality and HIV/AIDS Meeks, Linds; Heit, Philip; and Burt, John Meeks Heit (1993) Human Sexuality: Responsible Life Choices Ryder, Verdene and Smith, Peggy B. Goodheart-Wilcox Co. (2000) It’s Up To Me: A Kit on Dating Violence Coalition Against Abuse in Relationships, 770 Main Street, 9h Floor, Moncton, NB, E1C 1E7, (506) 392-5120 Seeing the Rainbow: Teachers Talk about Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender and Two-spirited Realities Canadian Teacher’s Federation Skills for Adolescence Lions Club International, Lions Quest (2001 Teen Health Course 1 Merki, Mary Bronson Glencoe McGraw-Hill (1995)

Teaching and learning methods/use of media and Internet

Parent involvement in instructional programs

Peer-led instructional programs

Media/Web-based Instruction

Prevention programs for specific needs/issues

Consideration of System, Organization Characteristics

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:16:13 CST

This page lists resources and examples of how system, organizational and professional characteristics (such as loosely-coupled control, open to external influences and bureaucratic structures) can be considered strategically when implementing school sexual health promotion programs.

Alignment with School Mandate, Constraints

dmccall — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:14:43 CST

This page lists resources and examples of how sexual health promotion can be aligned with the educational mandate (educational achievement-school effectiveness) of the school.