16 School Districts Get Grants for Sexual Health Education Programs

Did you know? HIV prevention is taught yearly in all Washington schools starting in grade 5. Knowledge is power. Students need high-quality instruction to help them make healthy choices.

The Centers for Disease Control launched a new project to make that happen. They chose 19 states to lead the project (including ours!), along with 17 large school districts and the District of Columbia.

 

The HIV and Sexual Health Education folks here at OSPI selected 16 Washington school districts to participate: Bremerton, North Mason, North Thurston, Vashon Island, Kent, Federal Way, Highline, Granite Falls, Burlington-Edison, Methow Valley, Pateros, Highland, Mabton, White Salmon Valley, Camas and Evergreen (ESD 112).

 

These districts were chosen because of their commitment to implementing programs and state policies that are medically accurate and based on science. They will receive technical, professional and financial support from the CDC for the next five years.

 

OSPI will partner with Educational Service Districts (ESDs) and state health education partner organizations to support the efforts these districts. Lessons learned from this project will be shared with school districts across the state.

Get involved! Whether or not your school district was chosen to receive a grant, you can take an active role in health education. School Health Advisory Councils are a great way for community members and parents to get involved in strengthening school district policies. Ask your district office if a council already exists in your area. If there isn’t, find out how to get one started at Let’s Move Active Schools and American Cancer Society.

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