Age-appropriate, honest and complete information about sexual and reproductive health—including gender identity, sexual orientation, contraception, consent and healthy relationships—makes a difference in creating healthy outcomes for young people. Comprehensive sex education in schools, as well as open dialogue on these topics with trusted adults, is essential. If you are a parent/caregiver and want information on how to advocate for sex education that supports your students’ well-being, visit Advocates for Youth’s guide to understanding sex education in your school.

Until 2016, there had been no major update of the Omaha Public School Human Growth & Development (HGD) curriculum in 30 years. With support and guidance from the Women’s Fund, the mobilization of youth and the involvement of key community partners, Omaha Public Schools adopted new, inclusive, science-based HGD standards and new curricula that aligns with those standards. The HGD standards are grade-specific. The standards, with documents and curriculum pacing guides are available on the OPS website.

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 these 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. Learn more about how you can support young people and use your voice to advocate for effective health education in Nebraska.

As a public health issue, it is paramount that sexual violence prevention strategies be implemented within institutions and systems, including learning environments. Education is a primary prevention tool in creating a world free from gender-based violence. With local collaborations, the Sexual Violence Prevention Educator’s Guide was developed to provide educators with the necessary framework, concepts and resources for how to best engage with students about sexual violence prevention.

Meeting young people where they are—and educating them about sexual and reproductive health and where services can be accessed—is critical.

Adolescent Health Project educators provide effective sex education to youth, parents and youth-serving professionals in community-based settings, school classrooms and faith communities. Many AHP educators are trained to be Askable Adult trainers; an initiative of the Women’s Fund that is training youth-serving professionals to be more knowledgeable on sexual health and better equipped to provide compassionate, warm referrals for sexual and reproductive health.

Outreach staff attend local events to engage with young people in environments where they feel comfortable. Optimally, outreach and education are combined with access to free condoms and free STI testing. From July 2021 to June 2022, Adolescent Health Project outreach staff connected with 41,005 individuals at area events.

The nine local organizations that have received grants for their work in unintended teen pregnancy prevention and STI testing have steadily accelerated their outreach and education efforts throughout the community.

Learn more at GetAccessGranted.com.

The Omaha community will now have a new, low-barrier pathway to take control of their sexual and reproductive health—sexual health vending machines. Access Granted, an initiative of the Women’s Fund, launched this innovative solution in summer 2023 to ensure convenient access to emergency contraception (EC). By providing emergency birth control in vending machines at multiple locations, individuals will be able to access EC in a discreet, affordable and judgment-free way. 

With sexual health vending machines strategically placed throughout the Omaha metro area, this project aims to ensure that anyone will have a convenient way to obtain EC when they need it most. The vending machines offer EC for a low cost of just $8 and pregnancy tests for $3. This affordable price ensures that EC is within reach for those who may face financial barriers.

More information is available via GetAccessGranted.com/EC where we offer a wealth of knowledge, including information about EC, a map on where to locate machines and frequently asked questions—providing a seamless experience and eliminating any uncertainty. Individuals are encouraged to explore these resources to make informed decisions that are best for them.

If you are interested in financially supporting this work directly, please donate at  OmahaWomensFund.org/Support-EC-Access or contact Info@GetAccessGranted.com if you are interested in being a vending machine host.

Open and honest conversations about healthy relationships, consent and sex can help young people make the decision to postpone sex and avoid STIs and unintended pregnancy.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends talking to youth as early as age 9 about sex, with discussions about healthy relationships even earlier. Creating an approachable environment for young people is key.

Communication is an important component of sexual literacy, and parents and teachers alike need to become “askable adults” for young people. Having positive home, school and community environments are significant protective facts in preventing negative sexual health outcomes. Askable adults create safe, affirming spaces where youth feel comfortable asking questions and having ongoing conversations about these topics.

There are many resources available to help adults increase their comfort level and knowledge base for effective conversation around sex and healthy relationships. Check out the parent/caregiver resources at GetAccessGranted.com.