SIECUS’ policy team brings to bear 55 years of research-based expertise on comprehensive sex education to ensure that public policies reflect best practices and current research in support of our nation’s young people. Our agenda is simple: SIECUS advances comprehensive sexuality education as a means of building a foundation for a long-term culture shift that will positively impact all levels of society, particularly issues of gender equity, sexuality, sexual and reproductive health, consent, personal safety, and autonomy. Through technical assistance to states, SIECUS’ staff support states in educating advocates and policymakers about providing rights-based sexuality information and education at the federal, state, and local levels and leading, strengthening, and developing partnerships with other organizations, coalitions, and initiatives to advance policies that promote positive sexual and reproductive health outcomes across the lifespan. Technical assistance is focused on meeting a state’s immediate needs in a timely way.
Training Hub
The Sex Education Collaborative Training Hub lists trainings for sex educators, facilitators, and other professionals on best practices for sharing important information with clients and the public. From teaching anatomy inclusively to effectively addressing bias in the classroom to addressing racial justice and equity in sex education, the Training Hub includes trainings, technical assistance, and policy support from state, regional, and national leaders in the field of sex education.
Please note: The Training Hub includes both in-person and online professional trainings. If you see a training you are interested in and it isn’t listed as virtual, please reach out directly to any of our members to find out what's possible!
Trainings Offered by State-Based and National Organizations
Displaying results 61 - 65 of 154Virtual PD - Tailoring Lessons to Meet Age and Developmental Levels
Virtual Professional Development is a simulated classroom where teachers can practice teaching student avatars using short scenarios and support from an instructional coach, so they can quickly learn and master the skills they most need to be effective. With upper elementary, middle and high school classrooms, Virtual PD has scenarios for teachers of all grade levels across a wide range of topics aligned with the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE). You can watch the video here (link is external) to learn more about Virtual PD.
Using the Virtual Professional Development classroom simulator, the educator will practice Tailoring Lessons to Meet Age and Developmental Levels with the student avatars. In this scenario, the educator has recently noticed an increase in inappropriate touching happening in the hallways at school. So the participant decides to address this issue through a lesson on personal boundaries with their students. The participant will read various situations aloud asking students whether these situations would violate their personal boundaries or not. The participant will need to demonstrate the ability to analyze and tailor lesson plans to match the age and developmental stages of their students.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to analyze and tailor lesson plans to match the age, developmental stages, cultural backgrounds, and other identities of students. (S)
Working with LGBTQ Youth
This workshop will teach participants about the fundamentals of sexual orientation, gender identity, and how to ensure that all young people and their families feel welcome and included in our classrooms and programs. The first part of the workshop will provide basic information about sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as dispel common myths. The second part of the workshop will focus on ways to create safe learning environments for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) or whose family members might be. It will also provide concrete lessons for teaching LGBT issues directly to young people. This workshop can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your group, school, or agency. All content is aligned with the National Sexuality Education Standards, National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, and the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to analyze and tailor lesson plans to match the age, developmental stages, cultural backgrounds, and other identities of students. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), LGBQ-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive, enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all sexual orientations.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Define sexual orientation and sexual identity, including that everyone has both.
- Indicator 3 (6-12): Explain the difference between sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual identity.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to intervene effectively in homophobic and other bullying comments and actions. (S)
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that LGBQ+ youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to sexual orientation.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Define gender identity and sex assigned at birth.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Explain how gender identity and gender expression are distinct from each other and from sexual orientation.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to intervene effectively in transphobic, sexist, misogynistic and other gender-related bullying comments and actions. (S)
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to transgender and gender expansive people.
Cardea facilitates the development and implementation of effective policies to support comprehensive sexual health education and related student health. Our policy work is based on our extensive experience in sexual and reproductive health, within the context of equity and social justice, and our experiences working directly with teachers, school districts, and state and local education agencies.
At the national level, Cardea collaborates with partner organizations in developing practical sexual health education guidance that is foundational to the development of effective policies. At the state level, Cardea is able to support policy development by providing insight into issues impacting districts, teachers, and parents, then supporting the direct implementation of adopted policies, through convening peer-learning communities, technical assistance and training. At the community level, Cardea supports implementation efforts through parent information and education.
Virtual PD - Student Centered Learning When Teaching Sex Education
Virtual Professional Development is a simulated classroom where teachers can practice teaching student avatars using short scenarios and support from an instructional coach, so they can quickly learn and master the skills they most need to be effective. With upper elementary, middle and high school classrooms, Virtual PD has scenarios for teachers of all grade levels across a wide range of topics aligned with the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE). You can watch the video here (link is external) to learn more about Virtual PD.
Using the Virtual Professional Development classroom simulator, the educator will practice implementing Student Centered Learning When Teaching Sex Education with the student avatars. In this scenario, the educator will be modifying an activity that teaches their students how to use condoms correctly for varying learning styles. Participants are encouraged to stretch to use a learning style different from those they are personally strong at. Key content and ideas for adaptations are included in the short video educators should watch prior to the simulation so they can be prepared to use their adaptations.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Additional Trainings offered by out-of-state organizations
- ‹ previous
- 9 of 49
- next ›
Accessible Sex Ed Training for Facilitators
This workshop is designed for sex ed and family life educators who want to make their programs more accessible to people with a variety of disabilities, particularly autistic people and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Adding these skills to your toolbox makes affirming, inclusive education more accessible for all participants..
“Accessible Sex Ed” also covers how to talk with caregivers about the importance of complete, fact-based education for all people, especially neurodiverse folx.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain three reasons why it is important to respond to every question students ask when teaching sex education.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to three different types of challenging questions. (S)




