Cardea Services

Organization Data

General Information

For nearly 50 years, Cardea has strived to improve organizations' abilities to deliver accessible, high quality, culturally proficient, and compassionate services to their clients. We envision communities where all people, especially those who have been most underserved, have equitable access to quality health and human services, and we believe that organizations thrive by integrating principles of social justice and cultural proficiency into all aspects of their work.

Services Provided:

Trainings

Technical Assistance

Policy Support

Technical Assistance

Cardea provides a range of TA services to support school districts in the adoption and implementation of sound sexual health education policies and procedures. Through direct services, training, and capacity building, Cardea assists districts in adopting best practices, building the capacity of their faculty and staff, and engaging their parents and community. TA begins with the dissemination of policy, research, practices, and resources through peer-learning communities/communities of practice. Additional individualized district TA supports system changes, capacity building, training and education that results in significant changes to practices within a district and changing community perceptions and norms.

Technical Assistance Webpage:

http://www.cardeaservices.org/

Topics:

Curriculum alignment to policies, Curriculum alignment to standards, Curriculum development, Curriculum review for cultural inclusivity, Curriculum review for LGBTQ inclusivity, Curriculum review for medical accuracy, Scope and Sequence development, Scope and Sequence review

Age Group(s):

Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12

Policy Support

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.

Policy Webpage:

Support Levels:

District, Federal, State

Trainings

Training of the Trainer (TOT)

Cardea provides multi-day Training of the Trainer (TOT) workshops to support participants in the delivery of foundations training and curricula training designs. Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops build the capacity and skills needed to replicate our successful training designs.

Additional TOT training can be customized to support staff in effective facilitation skills, classroom management, parent engagement, and district-level technical assistance strategies.

In person

Cost -

Varies

Length -

One to Four days

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, Effective teaching strategies, Racial and reproductive justice, Sex education in schools, Values

Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators

Conscious and unconscious bias about race, ethnicity, and culture Indicators

Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain how an educator’s personal beliefs about racial and reproductive justice could influence their teaching of sex education.

Creating and inclusive and affirming learning environment Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies for creating culturally responsive classrooms. (S)
Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three elements of a trauma-informed approach to sex education.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies of a trauma-informed approach to sex education (e.g. giving trigger warnings before content on sexual assault and allowing students the right to pass as appropriate, etc.). (S)

Disclosure Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe the importance of teachers’ maintaining professional boundaries when teaching sex education.

Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to build rapport with students. (S)
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
Indicator 4 (6-12): Demonstrate how to use the experiential learning cycle when teaching. (S)
Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with students.
Indicator 6 (K-12): Describe three strategies for actively involving parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults in a sex education program.
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)

Racial and Reproductive Justice Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Define racism (including individual, interpersonal, institutional, ideological, structural, and systemic), racial micro-aggressions, and reproductive justice.
Indicator 2 (K-12): Name three sexual health inequities and some of their systemic causes (e.g., African American women living with HIV have expressed mistrust toward healthcare professionals, in part, as a result of systemic racism).
Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three ways power, privilege, prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes related to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socio-economic status, immigration status, and/or physical or intellectual ability can impact sexual health and reproductive justice.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three effective response strategies when a student or school community member has been hurt or wronged by bias.
Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three strategies educators can use to acknowledge and proactively work to mitigate the impact of bias on their students’ sexual health and multiple, intersecting identities.

Sex Education In Schools Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three health (e.g. physical, social and/or emotional) and/or academic benefits of sex education for young people
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 2 (K-12): Describe how verbal and nonverbal expression of personal values, and comfort with topics related to sex education, could impact one’s teaching
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)

Cardea Training

Cardea offers training on a range of content and skills to support effective sexual health education implementation. Training options include existing training modules or customized training to support the needs of your faculty or staff.

Topics can include:

Gender and sexual diversity
Gender-affirming education and services
Trauma-informed facilitation and care
Disability inclusive practices
Sexual health education and social and emotional learning
Social media and sexually explicit materials
Consent and healthy relationships
Sexual violence prevention
Affirmative consent and bystander training
Answering sensitive questions
Equity inclusive sex education strategies
Teaching sexual health education virtually
Sexual health education content updates
Fidelity monitoring for sexual health education
Adapting and modifying sexual health education curricula
Youth centered engagement and program design
Adolescent friendly services
Unconscious bias
Minor consent
Confidential services

Our virtual and in-person training ranges from 90-minute presentations to multi-day workshops.

In person Online

Cost -

$150 per person per day

Length -

Half-day to multi day

Age Group(s) -

Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12

Topic(s) -

Conscious and unconscious bias about race, ethnicity, and culture disclosure, Consent and interpersonal and sexual violence, Contraception, pregnancy, and reproduction, Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Disclosure, Effective teaching strategies, Healthy relationships, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections, LGBQ+ identities, Puberty and adolescent development, Racial and reproductive justice, Responding to challenging questions, Transgender and gender expansive identities, Sex education in schools, Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology, Values

Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators

Conscious and unconscious bias about race, ethnicity, and culture Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Define conscious and unconscious bias and explain how they could influence one’s teaching of sex education.
Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe three impacts that conscious and unconscious bias could have on cross-cultural interactions when teaching sex education.
Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain how an educator’s personal beliefs about racial and reproductive justice could influence their teaching of sex education.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three strategies to reduce the impact of conscious and unconscious bias and enhance cross-cultural interactions in the classroom when teaching sex education.

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)
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies for creating culturally responsive classrooms. (S)
Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three elements of a trauma-informed approach to sex education.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies of a trauma-informed approach to sex education (e.g. giving trigger warnings before content on sexual assault and allowing students the right to pass as appropriate, etc.). (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
Indicator 3 (K-12): Demonstrate how to reduce the impact of educators’ passive and/or active personal disclosure on the educational environment. (S)
Indicator 4 (K-12): Explain the roles and responsibilities of a mandated reporter.
Indicator 5 (K-12): Explain the state- and district-mandated reporting requirements and procedures.

Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to build rapport with students. (S)
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
Indicator 4 (6-12): Demonstrate how to use the experiential learning cycle when teaching. (S)
Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with students.
Indicator 6 (K-12): Describe three strategies for actively involving parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults in a sex education program.
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)

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 4 (6-12): Explain three facilitators and three barriers to STD/STI testing and treatment.
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

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.
Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons. (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.
Indicator 3 (K-12): Identify three practices that students can adopt for maintaining healthy habits beginning during puberty.

Racial and Reproductive Justice Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Define racism (including individual, interpersonal, institutional, ideological, structural, and systemic), racial micro-aggressions, and reproductive justice.
Indicator 2 (K-12): Name three sexual health inequities and some of their systemic causes (e.g., African American women living with HIV have expressed mistrust toward healthcare professionals, in part, as a result of systemic racism).
Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three ways power, privilege, prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes related to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socio-economic status, immigration status, and/or physical or intellectual ability can impact sexual health and reproductive justice.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three effective response strategies when a student or school community member has been hurt or wronged by bias.
Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three strategies educators can use to acknowledge and proactively work to mitigate the impact of bias on their students’ sexual health and multiple, intersecting identities.

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 1 (K-12): Describe three health (e.g. physical, social and/or emotional) and/or academic benefits of sex education for young people
Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe state and/or district laws, policies, and standards that relate to sex education where one teaches.

Sexual & Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-5): Explain the benefits of teaching young children the medically accurate terms for genitals.
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 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), gender-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all gender identities.
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 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that transgender and gender expansive 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 transgender and gender expansive people.
Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of transgender and gender expansive people in lessons.
Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to make lessons affirming for transgender and gender expansive people. (S)

Values Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe how verbal and nonverbal expression of personal values, and comfort with topics related to sex education, could impact one’s teaching
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)

Foundations: Core Skills Training for Sex Ed

Cardea, in collaboration with Answer, has developed Foundations: Core Skills Training for Sex Ed. This national training model includes a one-day core skills curriculum, with four supplemental, half-day modules on essential concepts to support sexual health education implementation.

The one-day training address a range of core facilitation skills including:

climate setting,
experiential learning cycle,
values clarification,
self-disclosure,
and responding to challenging questions.

The supplemental modules build on the core skills and address:

trauma-informed facilitation,
LGBTQ+ inclusive instruction,
cultural proficiency,
and other commonly used facilitation strategies.

In person

Cost -

$150 per person per day

Length -

One-day or longer

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, LGBQ+ identities, 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)
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies for creating culturally responsive classrooms. (S)
Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three elements of a trauma-informed approach to sex education.
Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies of a trauma-informed approach to sex education (e.g. giving trigger warnings before content on sexual assault and allowing students the right to pass as appropriate, etc.). (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
Indicator 3 (K-12): Demonstrate how to reduce the impact of educators’ passive and/or active personal disclosure on the educational environment. (S)

Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators

Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to build rapport with students. (S)
Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
Indicator 4 (6-12): Demonstrate how to use the experiential learning cycle when teaching. (S)
Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with 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)

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 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that LGBQ+ youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons. (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 1 (K-12): Describe three health (e.g. physical, social and/or emotional) and/or academic benefits of sex education for young people
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 2 (K-12): Describe how verbal and nonverbal expression of personal values, and comfort with topics related to sex education, could impact one’s teaching
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)

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Organization Data

Training of the Trainer (TOT)

Cardea Training

Foundations: Core Skills Training for Sex Ed

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