Planned Parenthood Supports Fact-based Sexuality Education During Let’s Talk Month and with our Peer Education Program
For Immediate Release: Oct. 1, 2017
COLUMBUS, OH — October is Let’s Talk Month, aimed at encouraging families to talk about sex and relationships. Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (PPGOH) supports parents as they speak honestly and often with their children about sex and relationships, and as they get involved with their children’s schools to ensure they’re receiving fact-based, medically accurate sex education.
To help parents have these conversation, Planned Parenthood offers numerous resources, where parents can find guidance on how to talk with their children of any age about a variety of topics. Whether you have a child in preschool, high school, or anywhere in between, you can get support on how to talk about topics like personal safety, healthy friendships and relationships, bodies and body image, gender identity and sexual orientation, sexual health, and more.
Statement from Kelly Novak, PPGOH Director of Education and Outreach:
“While it may feel a little awkward or scary to start these conversations about sexual health, studies show that children and teens want to ask questions and have these conversations. We encourage parents and trusted adults to start the conversation – and Planned Parenthood is here for youth and adults alike with medically-accurate information and tips for having these important conversations.”
In Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, Planned Parenthood supports their Peer Education Program, where high school students receive extensive training on health, sexuality, advocacy, presentation techniques, and answering difficult questions. Once their training is complete, the participants educate their peers in their schools and in their communities on reproductive health and sexuality issues.
Last year, PPGOH’s Education and Outreach Department reached over 22,000 Ohioans. Across the Planned Parenthood Federation, Ohio educated the largest percentage of young people of any affiliate – educating 17% of Ohioans aged 12 to 17. Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio operates 19 health centers, and offers services including birth control counseling, vital cancer screenings, well-woman exams, and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment. PPGOH offers services regardless of a patient’s economic level, race, gender, sexual orientation, and/or immigration status.
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About Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio. The mission of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio is to protect, promote and provide empowered health care for generations of women, men, and families across Ohio. PPGOH serves approximately 64,000 patients annually throughout Ohio including metropolitan areas in Toledo, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Mansfield, Cleveland, Columbus, and Athens. www.ppgoh.org.