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Sexual Health Education

SHEP

San Diego Unified School District's Sexual Health Education Program is funded by a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC DASH). Our effective evidence-based education and prevention strategies aim to increase the health, academic success, and overall well-being of our students. Comprehensive sexual health education is implemented in grades 6, 8, and high school. All curricula follows CA Education Code requirements, including new topics required by the CA Healthy Youth Act, and has been reviewed and approved by our program's advisory committee.

Sexual health education aims to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease as well as assist students with developing interpersonal skills, responsible behavior, and goal setting. The curriculum emphasizes decision-making and refusal skills, identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships, and communicating with trusted adults about sexual health. The program also provides schools and students with information regarding safe and legal access to sexual health services, supports for LGBTQ-inclusive environments, and additional interventions for schools with higher percentages of students at risk for HIV/STDs and unplanned pregnancies. A Sexual Health Education Advisory Committee (SHEAC) is in place to review all lessons and materials used in the classroom.

Primary Program Goals

  • Deliver accurate sexual health information to all district students in grades 6-12 to promote healthy behaviors and healthy attitudes towards sexuality.
  • Increase access for students to local youth-friendly sexual health service agencies.
  • Facilitate safe and supportive campus environments for LGBTQ students.
  • Implement surveillance programs to collect health data that informs district, state, and national programming.
  • Promote long-term goal setting, healthy decision making, and responsible behavior among our students.

Sexual Health Education Advisory Committee

The Sexual Health Education Advisory Committee (SHEAC) comprises experts in the fields of health and sexuality education and sexual health services throughout San Diego county. It includes district staff, our district's direct consulting physician from UCSD Medical Center, community health agency partners, representatives from San Diego County's Health and Human Services Agency and the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego State University professors, faith-based representatives, district students, and parents of district students. This collaborative working group reviews and selects appropriate materials and resources for our students, guides Professional Development for district staff, and helps plan and implement programs that support our students' health. The committee is mandated by our district's cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and supports all grant-required activities. SHEAC has a maximum of 20 members plus up to 5 additional current student district members, and membership includes submitting a yearly application, being voted on by current members (i.e., those who have been previously selected and have signed a Membership Agreement) based on scored qualifications, and signing a Membership Agreement to state one's commitment to implementing and upholding CDC requirements and state and district policies. The application window for 2024-2025 SHEAC is now closed.

Contacts

Sexual Health Education Program
4100 Normal Street, Room 2004
San Diego, CA 92103
Fax: (619) 725-7127
www.sandiegounified.org/SHEP

Programmatic Information
Rachel Miller (she/her)
Program Manager
(619) 725-7121
[email protected]

Sexual Health Education Implementation and Training
Summer Hellewell (she/her)
Resource Teacher
(619) 725-5583
[email protected]

Sexual Health Education Instructional Materials
Shannon Astonsmith (she/her)
Administrative Aide
(619) 725-5580
[email protected]