Professional Training
Learn more about opportunities for professional development for teachers, social workers, mentors, and other adults who work with youth.
Answering Difficult Questions about Sex & Relationships
Answering questions about sex and relationships is a critical skill for adults who work with youth. Participants will discuss strategies for answering different types of questions and will practice responding to real questions from youth. This workshop can be customized to address questions from specific age groups.
Best Practices in Sex Education
Sex education classes and programs must be rooted in evidence-informed strategies in order to create desired outcomes. Learn some basic strategies needed for effective sex education programs and where to find resources to create or improve existing programs.
Connecting Teens to Sexual & Reproductive Health Care in Virginia
Questions about how teens can access sexual health care are often asked of adults who work with youth. Participants will review laws and policies related to sexual and reproductive health care access for minors in Virginia, discuss common barriers teens may experience when trying to access care, and develop strategies to help teens navigate those barriers.
Developmental Disability and Sexuality 101
Professionals who work with youth who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have a unique opportunity to help youth learn how to have safe and satisfying relationships now and in the future. Participants will gain knowledge about sexuality and highlight specific issues faced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, explore personal values and attitudes regarding sexuality and people with IDD, and explore ways to communicate about sexuality with people who have IDD and their parents/guardians. This workshop was developed by Elevatus and is facilitated by staff who have completed the Elevatus multi-day "Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality: Becoming a Sexuality Educator and Trainer" training. (* Note* This workshop consists of 9 modules and can be delivered in a full day training or over multiple days.)
Gender-Inclusive Sex Education
Separating students by gender for puberty and sex education classes is a common practice in some schools and organizations. Participants will explore the benefits of gender-inclusive sex education classes for all ages and develop talking points on how to advocate for gender-inclusive classes in their schools and organizations.
Helping Teens Identify Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships
Being able to identify healthy and unhealthy behaviors is an essential part of having a thriving relationship. Learn strategies for helping teens identify these characteristics in their own lives and identify resources where they can find support.
Responding to Disclosures of Abuse & Relationship Violence from Youth
Adults who work with youth agree to become mandated reporters if family and/or relationship violence is disclosed. Participants will learn best practices for responding to disclosures and review legal requirements for mandated reporters in Virginia. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop a plan of action to ensure that youth who have experienced violence are supported in their schools and organizations.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
Developing competence and compassion for working with LGBTQIA+ youth is an essential job skill for anyone who works with youth in any setting. Learn the different components of gender (gender identity, gender expression, and sex assigned at birth), review important terminology that youth sometimes use to describe their identity, and build an awareness of resources that can be used to further learning to better support youth.
Teaching Gender-Inclusive Anatomy & Puberty
Using gender-inclusive strategies and language when discussing bodies and puberty is an essential part of effective sex education programs. These strategies not only benefit youth who are trans or non-binary, but benefit all youth as they will have a more accurate understanding of diverse experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to practice using gender-inclusive language that can be used when discussing the physical, social, and emotional changes that happen for all youth during puberty.
Teaching about Protection Methods
Effective sex education informs students on the function and effectiveness of a variety of methods to prevent sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy. Learn about commonly used protection methods using medically-accurate language and how to provide this information to youth in a gender-inclusive and engaging way.
Teen Sexual Health in VA
Having knowledge about public health indicators like teen pregnancy, teen dating violence, and rates of sexually transmitted infections is very helpful when planning and implementing sex education programs. Review current public health data specific to Virginia and develop talking points for how to improve teen sexual health in your schools and communities.
Transgender Health Care
Our team is available to provide workshops that address best practices in patient care for trans and non-binary patients, including information and resources about gender affirming hormone therapy for patients. Other topics include gynecology for trans-masculine and non-binary patients, implicit bias, and trauma-informed care.
The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood - An Overview of Services
VLPP offers a wide variety of sexual and reproductive health care services at our four health care centers in central and southeastern Virginia. Learn more about health care services, education programs, and advocacy efforts.
Virtual PD
Virtual PD
Virtual PD is a program developed by Advocates for Youth that allows teachers to practice answering questions about sex, bodies, and relationships in a virtual setting with feedback from sex education experts. Sessions are offered by age group (elementary, middle, or high school) and questions can be adjusted for difficulty, depending on the teacher's level of experience. These virtual sessions are very realistic and offer an incredible way to build skills needed for effective instruction.
Connect with Us
Looking to schedule a program for your school, organization, or community group? We can help!
If you need additonal assistance, please email us at [email protected].
Book an Appointment
Or call 1-800-230-7526