Here you will find CSHC’s Reproductive Health Policy Statement, general resources for improving school-based reproductive health policies and programs, and information and tools on a variety of specific reproductive health issues: comprehensive sexual health education, emergency contraception, and minor consent.
CSHC Resources
Reproductive Health Policy Statement
This policy statement outlines the benefits of offering comprehensive reproductive health education and services at SBHCs. The statement provides a rationale for, and offers recommendations on the delivery of, such services, and can be a useful advocacy tool.
The statement begins: “CSHC believes adolescents should have access to comprehensive, age-appropriate information and services in order to make informed decisions about their health and well being. School health centers provide a safe, confidential and youth friendly environment that is accessible to all students.”
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Materials
In partnership with the California School Boards Association, CSHC hosted a one-day Policymaker Leadership Institute on comprehensive sexual health education. For more information and links to the agenda, presentation slides, case studies, and helpful links, please visit our Sexual Health Education webpage.
Sexual Health Resources
Sexual Health: An Adolescent Provider Toolkit
The Adolescent Health Working Group has recently released Sexual Health: An Adolescent Provider Toolkit. It includes screening tools, counseling guidelines, and health education materials for teens and their adult caregivers.
The Hookup
In April 2009, the California Family Health Council (CFHC), the California Department of Public Health, STD Control Branch, and Internet Sexuality Information Services, Inc., ( ISIS ) launched the Hookup, a statewide text messaging service. The service aims to provide youth with relevant and accurate sexual and reproductive health information and a convenient, confidential resource for accessing local clinics that offer free or low-cost sexual and reproductive health services. The online home for the Hookup service is Teensource, CFHC’s website for youth. Please contact Rebecca Braun, Program Manager, CFHC, with any questions.
What Works: Curriculum-Based Programs that Prevent Teen Pregnancy
This brief, from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, provides an overview of what is known about evaluated interventions that help delay sex, improve contraceptive use, and/or prevent teen pregnancy. It includes a list of 30 effective programs and information on how to obtain them.
Youth Social Marketing Toolkit
In an effort to increase primary prevention to prevent STD transmission and unintended pregnancies, the California Family Health Council, Infertility Prevention Project, and the California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, have teamed up to create a web-based Youth Social Marketing Toolkit (YSMT). It is a step-by-step guide to help community groups with limited financial resources develop a social marketing campaign for youth and young adults.
Teen Pregnancy and the Achievement Gap Among Urban Minority Youth
This article, Healthier Learners Are Better Learners by Charles E. Basch, describes how disproportionate rates of teen pregnancy among urban minority youth contribute to the achievement gap. It highlights the prevalence of teen pregnancy and outlines ways schools can help to prevent it, while also supporting students who are pregnant and parenting.
Emergency Contraception
Building Emergency Contraception Awareness Among Adolescents
This Toolkit for Schools and Community-Based Organizations provides suggestions for increasing emergency contraception (EC) awareness among adolescents and adults in schools and communities. Developed by the Academy for Educational Development, it provides basic information about emergency contraceptive pills, makes the case that adolescents should know about EC, prepares adults to increase access and awareness among adolescents (as well as among their own peers), identifies resources for keeping current on the issues, and suggests evaluation strategies. The report discusses EC issues specific to schools, SBHCs, and community-based organizations, and includes sample letters, articles, forms, protocols, and instruments.
Free Emergency Contraception Provider Kits and Technical Assistance
The California Family Health Council (CHFC) is offering a free, comprehensive Emergency Contraception Kit that contains everything a provider needs to know about emergency contraception. The kit aims to make it easier, and more economical, for providers to expand EC services. The kit contains:
- Product order forms
- Medi-Cal/FamPACT reimbursement tools
- Answers to medical-legal questions
- Sample informed consents, English/Spanish
- Patient education materials, English/Spanish
For a kit and/or assistance, fax your contact information to: (510) 647-0634. If you have any questions about the project and how your agency might benefit, you can also contact Lissa Suden at sudenl@cfhc.org or (510) 647-0632 ext. 202. Note that you may be eligible to receive free product samples.
Minor Consent
Understanding Confidentiality and Minor Consent in California
The Adolescent Health Working Group has recently released an updated adolescent provider toolkit on Understanding Confidentiality and Minor Consent in California.
For many other resources, see CSHC’s Consent and Confidentiality webpage.
