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Responsible Sex Education Institute

Organization Data

General Information

Whether it is working with youth or adults, the Responsible Sex Education Institute has a variety of programming options that meet our communities’ needs. Our trained sex education experts are skilled at facilitating groups in a variety of settings. Our programs align with national and state sexual health standards and laws. A leader in the sex education field, the Institute ensures its programs empower participants with the knowledge and skills to make responsible decisions with regard to their sexual health. The Institute is the education branch of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

RSEI Mission: To be the trusted sex education resource that empowers individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and communities with inclusive, up-to-date, and culturally relevant information and skills to foster healthy relationships, safer sex, and linkages to care.

Services Provided: 
Trainings
Technical Assistance
States: 
Colorado
Nevada
New Mexico
Wyoming
Technical Assistance

The Responsible Sex Education Institute at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains offers a variety of technical assistance, including support services like monthly webinars and blogs, a textline specifically for educators, office hours, expert lectures, and more.

Technical Assistance Webpage:
https://responsiblesexedinstitute.org/support-services/
Topics:
Curriculum alignment to policies, Curriculum alignment to standards, Curriculum development, Curriculum review for LGBTQ inclusivity, Curriculum review for medical accuracy, Scope and Sequence development, Scope and Sequence review
Age Group(s):
Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Trainings

Virtual Sexual Health Educator Program 1.0

The first in a series of virtual courses developed by sex educators at the Responsible Sex Education Institute, the Virtual Sexual Health Educator Program 1.0 takes our most popular live lessons and transforms them into a 5-week virtual course. Each week participants will join two, 90-minute, live virtual sessions. They are also expected to do independent work in between sessions throughout the course. Each cohort consists of no more than 15 participants from a range of organizations and schools across the country, with varying experiences teaching sex education. This is an interactive, skills-based course aimed to prepare youth-serving adults to effectively facilitate comprehensive sex education. Click here to check out a sample syllabus, or visit the Upcoming Events tab on our website for more info!

By attending V-SHEP 1.0, participants also gain access to members' only content on our website, as well as up to 10 office hours sessions for 1:1 support from an RSEI educator. Learn more about the support services we offer here.

RSEI is committed to providing affordable professional development for our communities. If cost feels prohibitive, please reach out and we will work within your budget! Email us at professional.development@pprm.org.

Online
Cost -
$300 - $450
Length -
5 weeks, with live, virtual meetings 2x per week
Age Group(s) -
Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Consent and interpersonal and sexual violence, Contraception, pregnancy, and reproduction, Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Disclosure, Effective teaching strategies, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections, LGBQ+ identities, 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
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 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)
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.
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 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 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
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.
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)
Racial and Reproductive Justice Indicators
  • 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)

Sex Ed At All Levels

This one-day training is designed to help youth-serving adults extend comprehensive sex education to young people and adults with cognitive disabilities. It can be added on to any type of SHEP (Sexual Health Educator Program), or can stand alone. To find out where we're headed next, visit the "Upcoming Events" tab.

In person
Cost -
$150 per person
Length -
1 day
Age Group(s) -
Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment, Effective teaching strategies, 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)
Effective Teaching Strategies Indicators
  • 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 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)
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)

Pregnancy Options Workshop

During this four-hour workshop, participants will learn about all options available to pregnant folks, including medical and legal details about each option. There will be several opportunities for participants to reflect on their own values, as well as an emphasis on each person developing skills to equitably serve people whose values may vary from their own. This workshop can be added on to any type of SHEP (Sexual Health Educator Program) and can also stand alone. To find out where we're headed next, visit the "Upcoming Events" tab.

In person
Cost -
$75 per person
Length -
1/2 day
Age Group(s) -
Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
Contraception, pregnancy, and reproduction, Responding to challenging questions, Values
Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE) Indicators
Contraception, Pregnancy, and Reproduction Indicators
  • Indicator 3 (6-12): Describe the differences in mechanisms of action and access between emergency contraception and the abortion pill.
  • 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)
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 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)

Sexual Health Educator Program (SHEP)

Our SHEPs are designed to give educators the skills and information they need to facilitate comprehensive sexual health education effectively. We host open enrollment SHEPs and can provide custom trainings, as well. The length and location of these trainings varies based on the needs of each community. To find out where we're headed next, visit the "Upcoming Events" tab on our website. To find out how to bring us in for your organization, email Professional.Development@pprm.org.

In person
Cost -
$150-$450 per person
Length -
1-3 Days
Age Group(s) -
Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
Topic(s) -
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, 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
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 6 (K-12): Explain bodily autonomy and how it relates to consent and sexual abuse prevention.
  • 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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)