BE AN ADVOCATE
For Effective Health Education in Nebraska
BE AN ADVOCATE
For Effective Health Education in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Education engaged a group of educators (teachers, administrators, ESU staff, postsecondary representatives) in developing Nebraska Health Education Standards to create the framework for K-12 health education in our state. After releasing a second draft of the standards, “Nebraska Health Education Standards,” in July 2021 that were a complete departure from what medical experts, education professionals and decades of research identify as effective health education, the Board voted to pause the process in September 2021.
NDE is led by an elected board, who will ultimately vote on health education standards. Your advocacy on this issue is important to ensure all students have access to health education that is effective, inclusive and complete.
From a comprehensive health education framework, youth need:
- Access to age-appropriate and honest health information to help students navigate sexual development, protect their health and plan for their futures.
- Complete and age-appropriate introductions to a range of concepts, including gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, STI and pregnancy prevention, and safety lessons on consent and safe touch to minimize sexual abuse.
- Inclusive, equitable health education that creates a protective school environment for all students.
The Women’s Fund supports age-appropriate, complete and honest health education that is inclusive of all students and supports their well-being. View the full list of Nebraska-based community and youth-serving organizations that support essential elements of health education.
HOW TO ADVOCATE
We need your voice to advocate for high quality,
effective health education for young people.
We, the undersigned individuals, support the implementation of Nebraska Health Education Standards that contribute to all students’ physical and emotional well-being and academic success. We support Health Education Standards that provide:
- Access to age-appropriate and honest health information to help students navigate sexual development, protect their health and plan for their futures.
- Complete and age-appropriate introductions to a range of concepts, including gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, STI and pregnancy prevention, and safety lessons on consent and safe touch to minimize sexual abuse.
- Inclusive, equitable health education that creates a protective school environment for all students.
CONTACT
Contact your state board of education member to let them know you support age-appropriate, complete and inclusive health education standards.
State Board of Education Members Contact Information
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
402-416-3374
Patsy.Kochjohns@nebraska.gov
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
Lisa.Fricke@nebraska.gov
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
402-649-1265
Patti.Gubbels@nebraska.gov
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
817-247-4563
Jacquelyn.R.Morrison@nebraska.gov
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-694-2196
Kirk.Penner@nebraska.gov
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
308-380-3919
Sherry.Jones@nebraska.gov
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
402-615-4095
Elizabeth.Tegtmeier@nebraska.gov
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
402-215-9139
Deborah.Neary@nebraska.gov
Find Your District
Select the area you live in to find your State Board of Education member.
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RESOURCES
YOUNG PEOPLE
PARENTS + CAREGIVERS
- Gender Expansive Students at Higher Risk for Suicidal Behavior (Advocates for Youth)
- Having the Talks: Video Series (AMAZE)
- Parents’ Sex Ed Center (Advocates for Youth)
- Range of Gender Identities Video (AMAZE)
- Recommended Reading List (Access Granted/Women’s Fund)
- Talking About Consent and Healthy Relationships at Every Age (Planned Parenthood)
EDUCATORS
- 2018-19 Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Survey (CDC/Nebraska Department of Education)
- 2019 National School Climate Survey (GLSEN)
- Future of Sex Education: National Sex Education Standards (Advocates for Youth)
- Get the Facts: Improve School Climate to Increase LGBT Students’ Well-Being and Reduce HIV/AIDS Risk (GLSEN)
- Schools: The Right Place for a Healthy Start (CDC)
- Three Decades of Research: The Case for Comprehensive Sex Education (Journal of Adolescent Health)
COMMUNITY ADVOCATES
FAITH-BASED LEADERS
Please check back for more resources.
Shareable Graphics
Facebook + Twitter
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
As a former youth advocate and a current attorney working on juvenile justice issues, I have come to understand comprehensive LGBTQ+ inclusive sexual health education as a key to healthy adolescent development. Sex education is a public safety issue and should be widely available to all young people.
— Vic
I have seen too many children, adolescents and young adults suffer effects of poor health outcomes that result from incomplete education in these areas. Thorough educational programs are vital in promoting good health behaviors, protecting individual rights and freedoms, and providing a safer more inclusive environment in which Nebraska's children can learn effectively.
— Amy
Anti-LGBTQ+ bias is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. LGBTQ+ youth and families deserve to belong and have adequate health and sex education in the same way that all youth deserve to have comprehensive, inclusive, medically accurate sex education and sexual health promotion along with other areas of health education. Those who oppose inclusion and education should not trample on the rights and needs of others.
— Patricia
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
Sample Social Copy
Contact the Board
Comprehensive sex education is sexual violence prevention. Contact your Nebraska State Board of Education Member in support of inclusive, complete, honest and equitable health education. Speak up today! https://www.omahawomensfund.org/nde-health-standards/#contact-info
Sex education saves lives! Young people deserve effective health education that is complete, honest and inclusive to protect their health and plan for their futures. Be an advocate! Contact Your State Board of Education Member to support today: https://www.omahawomensfund.org/nde-health-standards/#contact-info
Inclusive and honest sex education provides all young people with skills and information to make informed decisions. Advocate for a better future for Nebraska youth! Let your State Board of Education Member know that you support effective health education: https://www.omahawomensfund.org/nde-health-standards/#contact-info
Sign the Petition
Inclusive sex education matters. In fact, it is life-saving. Support effective health education by signing our petition now: http://bit.ly/HealthStandardsPetition
It’s past time for schools in Nebraska to update their health standards to reflect the lived realities of all young people. Our youth deserve schools where they feel seen, heard and respected. Support effective education in Nebraska today: http://bit.ly/HealthStandardsPetition
Comprehensive sex education is sexual violence prevention. Sign our petition to support effective health education in Nebraska: http://bit.ly/HealthStandardsPetition
Health education that is age-appropriate, complete and inclusive should be the standard for all students in Nebraska. Sign our petition to support effective health education today: http://bit.ly/HealthStandardsPetition