Education Information - “Why bring in Planned Parenthood to teach what the local health department can teach?” Because we are experts in reproductive health care as well as experts on how people learn. With a combined tenure of 34 years, PPCW’s education staff has the skills to provide you with the outcomes you seek.
We believe
- It is the right of every person to know how to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection.
- It is the right of every person to be healthy and have access to health care regardless of financial status.
- It is the right of every person to make sexual and reproductive decisions for themselves that do not exploit or abuse themselves or others.
- It is the responsibility of our communities to teach youth how to protect themselves
- Sexuality is a natural part of human existence.
- The responsible expression of sexuality can contribute to positive growth and development.
- Sexuality education encourages informed and responsible choices.
- Parents need to be the number one resource of sexuality education for their children.
What We Do
- We provide medically accurate, age-appropriate reproductive and sexuality health programs to any community group, school, organization or agency that requests one. If you or your group would like reproductive or sexuality health information, we will tailor one to fit your needs.
- We train community professionals on sexuality topics that relate to their work.
- We have trained staff available to talk about sexuality education and share sexual health information. Whether that means just listening, helping set up a medical appointment or sending a list of educational pamphlets, we're here to help.
- We offer sexuality education programs throughout Central Washington for the community, organizations and medical professionals.
Programs Offered by PPCW
The education staff at Planned Parenthood of Central Washington are experts on numerous different topics relating to reproductive and sexual health. We are able to offer presentations to a variety of individuals and groups in settings including schools, clubs, detention centers, rehabilitation centers and churches. Educational programs can be developed to fit the unique needs of any community group – call a local educator to find out more.
Our most popular educational programs include:
Sexual Abuse Prevention – Childhood sexual abuse crosses all boundaries regardless of color, class, ethnicity or socio economic status. Every child needs to know how to protect themselves.
"Talking about Touching" is a child abuse prevention program presented to elementary students in schools throughout our affiliate area. Several thirty minute sessions are arranged with teachers in grades one through five as requested. At Kindergarten and preschool level, a 20 minute puppet show and story is used to teach children the basic principals illustrated in the "Talking about Touching" curriculum. Children learn that their bodies belong to them and that some parts of their bodies are private. Adults may not touch their bodies in any way or any place that makes them feel uncomfortable. Exceptions to this rule include situations such as doctor visits or bathing/changing a baby's diaper. Children are instructed to tell a trusted adult about any inappropriate touching. The curriculum is presented within the context of personal safety and students are encouraged to share all the information and rules they learn with family.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention- Every year in Washington State over 12,000 teenage girls are faced with an unintended pregnancy.
This program discusses the harsh realities of teen pregnancy and parenting while empowering young people to identify personal goals and how to design a path that will lead them to succeed. Educators develop participant’s skill sets while focusing on abstinence, birth control methods and pregnancy prevention, decision making, communication skills, and goal setting. By focusing on these topics, teens have an opportunity to openly discuss and learn the many different methods of preventing pregnancy (including abstinence) and creating a foundation for a life time of healthy decision making.
Birth Control Methods – Teen mothers face harsh realilties that can have a devastating effect on their lives and the lives of their children; such as poverty, lower educational attainment, reliance on social services, and increased potential for transmission of STD/HIV.
The intent of this program is to dispel the myths that exist about birth control as well as instruct on the prevention of unintended pregnancy. Educators discuss in great detail the birth control methods that are currently available. Time is spent on each method, explaining how it works, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each, and comparing effectiveness rates. The aim is to ensure that participants have the correct information needed to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
HIV/AIDS – Did you know the highest rates of HIV transmission occur in youth from ages 15-24?
A variety of evidence and research based curriculums are used when teaching HIV/AIDS prevention and education. Most commonly, lessons are taken from the KNOW curriculum and Get Real About AIDS. Both of these curriculums have been proven effective at changing behaviors in students when the scope and sequence has been provided to fidelity. The KNOW curriculum has been approved by the Washington State Department of Education for use in schools. HIV/AIDS prevention education is mandatory in Washington state schools starting in 5th grade and continuing each year until the 12th grade. Educators are available to teach lessons that fulfill this requirement.
Sexually Transmitted Infections – Our daughters in Washington State 15-19 years old have the highest rates of Chlamydia and the second highest rates of Gonorrhea as compared to any other age group.
What sets the PPCW education staff apart from the rest when it comes to community presentations about sexually transmitted infections? Our innovative program focuses on reducing risks that young people put themselves in without knowing it. Instead of using shocking images that instill shame or fear to change behavior (such as pictures of infected reproductive organs) our education team has developed an authentic meaningful program that truly empowers young people to make changes in their lives that will essentially keep them alive.
Professors and educators alike agree that the PPCW STI program is unique and more powerful than traditional presentations. “I have never seen a program keep them captivated so long, you really had them thinking” – professor, Central Washington University. “You said that I could get HIV from blood, becoming a blood brother includes blood- that isn’t safe” – student from juvenile detention in Kittitas County, “I will no longer make tattoos at home because of HIV” 5th grader in the Lower Valley.
According to the recent data from the Department of Health that clearly shows an increase in HIV numbers, it is evident that traditional programs are failing; it is everyone’s responsibility to teach our youth honest methods that will keep them safe. Contact your local PPCW educator to learn more about this program.
