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EyesOpenIowa

Organization Data

General Information

Celebrating over 25 years of leadership, EyesOpenIowa is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to providing comprehensive sexual health education and training for educators, youth-serving professionals, and other adults. We specialize in delivering high-quality, medically accurate, and LGBTQ+ inclusive training to professionals across the country, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to support adolescents in making informed decisions about their sexual health.

With over 1,800 partner agencies, schools, and professionals in our statewide network, we are committed to empowering both youth and adults to promote healthier communities.

Mission:
To empower communities by providing comprehensive sexual health education and services, helping individuals make informed decisions about sex and relationships.

Vision:
We envision a world where all adults are equipped to provide accurate and inclusive sexual health education, and where youth are empowered to take control of their own sexual health with confidence and knowledge.

Join us in our mission to educate, empower, and elevate sexual health nationwide!

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
Technical Assistance

At EyesOpenIowa, we specialize in helping educators, schools, and organizations deliver accurate, inclusive, and policy-aligned sexual health education. With decades of experience, our dedicated training and leadership teams work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your specific needs. Here's how we can support you:

Curriculum Alignment to Policies and Standards
We ensure your curriculum is fully aligned with state and federal policies, as well as the latest educational standards, so your program is compliant and impactful.

Curriculum Development
We collaborate with you to create a robust, tailored curriculum that incorporates the latest research and best practices, ensuring it is both effective and engaging.

Curriculum Review for Cultural and LGBTQ Inclusivity
Our team assesses your content for cultural relevance and LGBTQ inclusivity, providing recommendations that foster an environment of respect and understanding for all students.

Curriculum Review for Medical Accuracy
We verify the medical accuracy of your curriculum, ensuring all health-related content is up-to-date and evidence-based, promoting healthy decision-making.

Scope and Sequence Development and Review
We help you develop or refine your scope and sequence to ensure learning objectives are met in a logical, structured manner, maximizing educational impact.

Partner with EyesOpenIowa to elevate your curriculum with customized, expert support, ensuring it is comprehensive, inclusive, and meets the highest standards of educational excellence.

Technical Assistance Webpage:
https://www.eyesopeniowa.org/selecting-evidence-based-curricula
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

Navigating the complexities of sexual health education policies can be challenging, but with EyesOpenIowa by your side, you don’t have to do it alone. Our experienced team is here to help you develop, refine, and implement policies that align with best practices, legal requirements, and the unique needs of your community.

Customized Policy Development
We work with you to create tailored policies that reflect your organization’s values and objectives. Whether you’re establishing new guidelines or updating existing ones, we ensure your policies are comprehensive, inclusive, and compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.

Alignment with Legal and Educational Standards
Our experts help you navigate state and federal mandates, ensuring your policies meet all legal requirements while supporting effective sexual health education. We provide clear, actionable guidance to keep your organization in full compliance.

Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Policies
We specialize in crafting policies that promote inclusivity and cultural responsiveness. Our team ensures your policies address the needs of all students, including those from diverse backgrounds and LGBTQ+ communities, fostering an environment of respect and equity.

Ongoing Support and Consultation
Policy development is an ongoing process, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our team offers continuous consultation and review services, helping you adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise.

Partner with EyesOpenIowa to create policies that not only meet legal standards but also empower your educators and students. Our customized, expert-driven approach ensures your policies are effective, inclusive, and sustainable.

Policy Webpage:
Support Levels:
District, Federal, State
Trainings

Looking for expert trainings tailored to your needs? The offerings in the image below showcase our custom training services, designed to address the specific needs of your school or organization. From leading sexual health curriculums to creating inclusive learning spaces, our dedicated training team is here to ensure your goals are comprehensively met.

Our trainings are perfect for everyone, whether you're just getting interested in sex ed, a rookie educator with emerging skills, or a decorated veteran of the adolescent sexual health education field. Our sessions are relevant, engaging, well-researched, and consistently receive rave reviews.  Our trainings are well aligned with the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE), so trainees can rest assured they're getting the information their learners deserve.

Interested in in-person or virtual trainings that anyone can sign up for? Check out our trainihttps://www.eyesopeniowa.org/training-eventsng calendar to explore upcoming opportunities. Contact us today to start a conversation about how we can help your team thrive!

In person Online
Cost -
Varies
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.
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 5 (K-12): Explain sex trafficking and the state laws related to it.
  • Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain bodily autonomy and how it relates to consent and sexual abuse prevention.
  • Indicator 7 (K-12): Explain the impact of childhood trauma on the decision-making and sexual health of students.
  • Indicator 8 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies to prevent and/or intervene in bullying and teasing. (S)
  • Indicator 9 (K-12): Describe three strategies to help students identify a trusted adult.
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)