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Answer

Organization Data

General Information

Answer is a national organization based in the Center for Applied Psychology at Rutgers University. For nearly 40 years our mission has been to provide and promote unfettered access to comprehensive sex education for young people and the adults who teach them. We envision a nation in which sexuality is accepted as a normal, healthy part of development and every young person’s right to high-quality sex education is fulfilled. Answer meets its mission by developing youth-focused sexual health resources and training teachers to deliver the sex education young people deserve.

Since our inception, Answer has provided professional development to educators and administrators who work with young people. In 2004, Answer was among the first organizations in the U.S. to develop facilitator-led online workshops for sex education teachers. Far more in-depth than an hour-long webinar, Answer’s six-hour workshops cover essential sex education content knowledge covered in the National Sex Education Standards. Through our partnership with Cardea Services and other host organizations in 19 states across the country, we also deliver in-person trainings on the core skills necessary to effectively facilitate sex education in the classroom through our Foundations: Core Skills Training for Sex Education initiative.

At the heart of Answer’s work is the belief that informed teens are healthy teens. In 1994, we began using the power of peer-to-peer communication to offer sexuality education directly to teens. 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of our award-winning, teen-written Sex, Etc. magazine, which provides medically-accurate sexual health information that centers young people’s voices. Sex, Etc. magazine and the corresponding website (Sexetc.org) reach over two million young people per year. Our newest resource, AMAZE.org is a partnership with Advocates for Youth and Youth Tech Health which targets younger adolescents (ages 10-14) and their caregivers and educators via animated videos. AMAZE Jr. provides resources for parents and caregivers of youth ages 4-9 for responding to the big questions young people have in developmentally appropriate ways.

 

Services Provided: 
Trainings
Technical Assistance
States: 
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Trainings

Certificate in Adolescent Sex Education Basics from Rutgers University

The Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is now partnering with Answer to offer a certificate in Adolescent Sex Education Basics. This fully online, 50-hour, non-credit certificate includes eight dynamic and highly interactive workshops and four cutting-edge virtual classroom simulations. 

The Rutgers University GSAPP certificate in Adolescent Sex Education Basics includes the following workshops and virtual classroom experiences:

  • Workshop: Sexual Anatomy and Response: Getting Under Your Skin
  • Workshop: Puberty and Adolescent Development: Growing Pains and Gains
  • Workshop: Sexuality ABCs: Abstinence, Birth Control and Condoms
  • Workshop: STD Basics: Helping Students Stay Sexually Healthy
  • Workshop: LGBTQ Issues in Schools: Celebrating and Supporting Diversity
  • Workshop: Pregnant & Parenting Teens: Beyond the Basics
  • Workshop: Relationship Skills for Teens: Dating, Mating and Deliberating
  • Workshop: Personal Safety: Knowing Signs and Drawing Lines
  • Virtual classroom: Personal Comfort When Teaching Sexuality Education
  • Virtual classroom: Culturally Responsive Instruction When Teaching Sexuality Education
  • Virtual classroom: Trauma-Informed Sex Ed
  • Virtual classroom: Tailoring Lessons to Meet Age and Developmental Levels

See https://answer.rutgers.edu/page/aseb_certificate_program/ for more information and FAQs about the certificate program.

Online
Cost -
$1,800.00 per person (group discounts available)
Length -
50 hours over 8 months or longer
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10
Topic(s) -
Consent and interpersonal and sexual violence, Contraception, pregnancy, and reproduction, Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Effective teaching strategies, Healthy relationships, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections, LGBQ+ identities, Puberty and adolescent development, Transgender and gender expansive identities, Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Consent, Interpersonal and Sexual Violence Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Define consent.
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Explain why consent is a fundamental right for people of all ages.
  • Indicator 4 (K-12): Identify three youth-friendly resources to assist survivors of sexual assault, abuse, incest, or domestic violence.
Contraception, Pregnancy, and Reproduction Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (6-12): Explain fertilization, implantation, conception, and how pregnancy occurs.
  • Indicator 2 (6-12): Demonstrate the steps necessary for effective external and internal condom use and how to access condoms. (S)
  • Indicator 3 (6-12): Describe the differences in mechanisms of action and access between emergency contraception and the abortion pill.
  • Indicator 4 (6-12): Explain methods of contraception, including the latest medical advances that are popular among young people.
  • Indicator 5 (6-12): Describe pregnancy options, including parenting, adoption, and abortion.
  • Indicator 6 (6-12): Identify three federal and/or state laws that impact young peoples’ access to effective reproductive and sexual health care (e.g. age of consent for services, confidential access to health care services, and access to condoms)
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with students.
Healthy Relationships Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three distinguishing characteristics between healthy and unhealthy relationships, involving family, friends, and/or romantic partners.
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Explain three ways that healthy relationships can positively impact personal well-being.
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three strategies for teaching students communication skills.
  • Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three strategies for incorporating the positive and negative impacts of communicating through technology into lessons on healthy relationships.
  • Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three ways to help students set and respect personal boundaries in relationships.
HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (6-12): Describe HIV and three common STDs/STIs, and how each can and cannot be transmitted.
  • Indicator 2 (6-12): Explain that many STD/STIs do not cause symptoms and the only way to know if you have one is to be tested.
  • Indicator 3 (6-12): Explain the benefits of getting tested and treated for HIV and other STDs/STIs.
  • Indicator 6 (6-12): Describe the latest medical advances in HIV and other STDs/STIs prevention and treatment.
  • Indicator 7 (6-12): Identify three medically accurate and youth-friendly resources for STD/STI and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment
LGBQ+ Identities Indicators
  • 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 5 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to intervene effectively in homophobic and other 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 sexual orientation.
Puberty and Adolescent Development Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe how puberty prepares the human body for the potential to reproduce.
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): List three physical, three social, and three emotional changes that occur during puberty.
Sexual & Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to use medically accurate terms for sexual and reproductive anatomy, including all external genitals. (S)
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the function of the individual sexual and reproductive body parts and how they typically work.
Transgender and Gender Expansive Identities Indicator
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Define gender identity and sex assigned at birth.

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

In person
Cost -
$1,750 in NJ; $2,500 + travel expenses outside of NJ
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Effective teaching strategies, LGBQ+ identities, Transgender and gender expansive identities
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • 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)
LGBQ+ Identities Indicators
  • 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.
Transgender and Gender Expansive Identities Indicator
  • 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.

What About the Boys?: Teaching About Sexuality Accurately and Effectively with Teen Boys

The vast majority of sexuality education curricula and programs are created with the needs of girls in mind. Even if we don't believe it ourselves, the saying “boys will be boys” pervades sexuality education programming. Girls are set up as the sexual gatekeepers and decision-makers. Boys are either set up to be feared or widely ignored. This training will provide the most up-to-date information available about how boys learn, how co-ed sexuality education programming has failed boys, and what educators can do to be sure to reach all students and workshop participants. 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, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, and the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education.

In person
Cost -
$1,750 in NJ; $2,500 + travel expenses outside of NJ
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Effective teaching strategies
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • 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)

Puberty 101: Teaching about the Birds and the Bees

Puberty is a time of physical, emotional, and social changes that can cause some young people great angst. Equipping students with the knowledge and skills about these changes can help them navigate through this challenging time and emerge strong, happy, and healthy. This workshop will provide you with a number of lessons to teach students about the changes of puberty, and will help you improve your skills on addressing this sensitive topic in an inclusive way. 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, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, and the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education.

In person
Cost -
$1,500 - $1,750 in NJ, $2,500 plus travel expenses outside of NJ
Length -
Three to six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Topic(s) -
Effective teaching strategies, Puberty and adolescent development
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Puberty and Adolescent Development Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): List three physical, three social, and three emotional changes that occur during puberty.
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Identify three practices that students can adopt for maintaining healthy habits beginning during puberty.

It's Elementary: Family Life Lesson Plans for Grades K-3

This interactive workshop will allow participants to increase their comfort and knowledge about age-appropriate sexual development in young children and learn the skills they need to effectively implement lesson plans in their districts. The importance of partnering with parents and school administrators to build support for family life education for young children will be addressed. This workshop can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your group, school or agency. All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, and the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education.

In person
Cost -
$1,500 - $1,750 in NJ, $2,500 plus travel expenses outside of NJ
Length -
Three to six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades K-2, Grades 3-5
Topic(s) -
Effective teaching strategies, Responding to challenging questions, Values
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
  • Indicator 6 (K-12): Describe three strategies for actively involving parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults in a sex education program.
Responding to Challenging Questions Indicators
  • 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)
Values Indicators
  • Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to respond effectively to students’ values-based comments and questions. (S)

Pregnant and Parenting Teens: The Basics and Beyond

Pregnant and Parenting Teens: The Basics and Beyond will help increase middle and high school health professionals' knowledge on everything from prenatal care to the stages of birth. This comprehensive workshop includes information on teen moms and dads, and their options around abortion, adoption and parenting as a teen.

Format/platform:

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous 
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Contraception, pregnancy, and reproduction
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Contraception, Pregnancy, and Reproduction Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (6-12): Explain fertilization, implantation, conception, and how pregnancy occurs.
  • Indicator 5 (6-12): Describe pregnancy options, including parenting, adoption, and abortion.
  • Indicator 6 (6-12): Identify three federal and/or state laws that impact young peoples’ access to effective reproductive and sexual health care (e.g. age of consent for services, confidential access to health care services, and access to condoms)

Personal Safety: Knowing Signs and Drawing Lines

Personal Safety: Knowing Signs and Drawing Lines will help increase middle and high school health professionals’ knowledge of various forms of interpersonal violence that young people often face, as well as provide concrete actions that educators and professionals can take to respond.

Format/platform: 

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Consent and interpersonal and sexual violence, Effective teaching strategies
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Consent, Interpersonal and Sexual Violence Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Define consent.
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Explain why consent is a fundamental right for people of all ages.
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Differentiate between situations in which sexual consent is and is not present.
  • Indicator 4 (K-12): Identify three youth-friendly resources to assist survivors of sexual assault, abuse, incest, or domestic violence.
  • Indicator 8 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies to prevent and/or intervene in bullying and teasing. (S)
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)

Puberty and Adolescent Development: Growing Pains and Gains

Puberty and Adolescent Development: Growing Pains and Gains will increase middle and high school health professionals’ knowledge of the changes commonly associated with puberty and go beyond the basics for a more complete picture of adolescence. At the end of this workshop, participants will feel equipped to speak with students about some of the more challenging aspects of adolescence, like developing healthy self-concept, addressing negative influences, and making more independent decisions.

Format/platform:

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Topic(s) -
Effective teaching strategies, Puberty and adolescent development, Responding to challenging questions
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Puberty and Adolescent Development Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe how puberty prepares the human body for the potential to reproduce.
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): List three physical, three social, and three emotional changes that occur during puberty.
Responding to Challenging Questions Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to three different types of challenging questions. (S)

Sexual Anatomy and Response: Getting Under Your Skin

Sexual Anatomy and Response: Getting Under Your Skin helps middle and high school health professionals teach young people how their bodies work, so that students have the foundation to learn about other sexuality-related topics, like pregnancy and STD prevention.

Format/platform:

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Effective teaching strategies, Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Sexual & Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to use medically accurate terms for sexual and reproductive anatomy, including all external genitals. (S)
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the function of the individual sexual and reproductive body parts and how they typically work.

Relationship Skills for Teens: Dating, Mating and Deliberating

Relationship Skills for Teens: Dating, Mating and Deliberating will increase your capacity to educate young people about developing healthy relationships as well as explore consent, technology, and social media.

Format/platform:

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Effective teaching strategies, Healthy relationships
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Healthy Relationships Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three distinguishing characteristics between healthy and unhealthy relationships, involving family, friends, and/or romantic partners.
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Explain three ways that healthy relationships can positively impact personal well-being.
  • Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three strategies for incorporating the positive and negative impacts of communicating through technology into lessons on healthy relationships.

Boys and Sex Ed: Beyond Statistics and Stereotypes

Boys and Sex Ed: Beyond Statistics and Stereotypes will help you understand how boys think, feel, and learn about sexuality, as well as learn the necessary tools for teaching in ways that resonate specifically with them.

Format/platform:

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Effective teaching strategies
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (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)

LGBTQ Issues in Schools: Celebrating and Supporting Diversity

LGBTQ Issues in Schools: Celebrating and Supporting Diversity is designed for middle and high school health professionals to increase their knowledge of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) issues and provides information on how to make the school environment more inclusive for all students.

Format/platform:

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, LGBQ+ identities, Transgender and gender expansive identities
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
LGBQ+ Identities Indicators
  • 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 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to sexual orientation.
Transgender and Gender Expansive Identities Indicator
  • 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.

STD Basics: Helping Students Stay Sexually Healthy

STD Basics: Helping Students Stay Sexually Healthy will help increase your general knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and your ability to develop compelling ways to pass this information to young people through valuable lesson plans, resources and guidance from our online instructor.

Format/platform:  

  • Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University
  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Effective teaching strategies, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (6-12): Describe HIV and three common STDs/STIs, and how each can and cannot be transmitted.
  • Indicator 2 (6-12): Explain that many STD/STIs do not cause symptoms and the only way to know if you have one is to be tested.
  • Indicator 3 (6-12): Explain the benefits of getting tested and treated for HIV and other STDs/STIs.
  • Indicator 5 (6-12): Demonstrate the steps necessary for effective external and internal condom use and how to access condoms. (S).
  • Indicator 6 (6-12): Describe the latest medical advances in HIV and other STDs/STIs prevention and treatment.
  • Indicator 7 (6-12): Identify three medically accurate and youth-friendly resources for STD/STI and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment

Sexuality ABCs: Abstinence, Birth Control and Condoms

Sexuality ABCs: Abstinence, Birth Control and Condoms will leave you with a deeper understanding of contraceptive methods and knowledge on how to develop and teach lessons that are designed to help reduce rates of unintended teen pregnancy while learning about the latest trends in teen contraceptive use.

Format/platform: Online Learning Management System (Canvas e-learning), hosted by Rutgers University

  • Six-hours of total contact time utilizing videos, podcasts, instructional games, discussion boards, written assignments, presentations, readings, and visual animations
  • Asynchronous
  • Instructor-led

All content is aligned to the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education, and the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists.

Online
Cost -
$150
Length -
Six hours
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Contraception, pregnancy, and reproduction
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Contraception, Pregnancy, and Reproduction Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (6-12): Explain fertilization, implantation, conception, and how pregnancy occurs.
  • Indicator 2 (6-12): Demonstrate the steps necessary for effective external and internal condom use and how to access condoms. (S)
  • Indicator 3 (6-12): Describe the differences in mechanisms of action and access between emergency contraception and the abortion pill.
  • Indicator 4 (6-12): Explain methods of contraception, including the latest medical advances that are popular among young people.
  • Indicator 6 (6-12): Identify three federal and/or state laws that impact young peoples’ access to effective reproductive and sexual health care (e.g. age of consent for services, confidential access to health care services, and access to condoms)

Foundations: Core Skills Training for Sex Education

This one-day Foundations training covers the essential skills for facilitating sex education, including:

  • climate building in the classroom,
  • understanding state and local sex education policies,
  • pedagogical approaches for experiential learning,
  • values clarification
  • managing personal disclosure,
  • and handling difficult questions and harassing comments.

Optional half-day modules for a second day of training include cultural proficiency, LGBTQ inclusion, trauma-informed approaches, and facilitation skills for commonly used sex education strategies.

In person
Cost -
$1,750 in NJ; $2,500 + travel expenses outside of NJ
Length -
Full-day (seven hours)
Age Group(s) -
Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Disclosure, Effective teaching strategies, Responding to challenging questions, Sex education in schools, Values
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
Disclosure Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe the importance of teachers’ maintaining professional boundaries when teaching sex education.
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): List three factors to consider regarding personal disclosure when teaching sex education
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • Indicator 4 (6-12): Demonstrate how to use the experiential learning cycle when teaching. (S)
Responding to Challenging Questions Indicators
  • 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)
Sex Education In Schools Indicators
  • Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe state and/or district laws, policies, and standards that relate to sex education where one teaches.
Values Indicators
  • Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
  • Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the importance of educators refraining from sharing their personal values when implementing sex education.
  • Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to respond effectively to students’ values-based comments and questions. (S)