The Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan – PDF (STI Plan) (1.8 MB) sets a vision as well as goals, objectives, and strategies to respond to this STI epidemic nationwide. However progress on the STI Plan requires local stakeholders to work in partnership to decide which goal are most applicable to their region and apply strategies to meet those goals.

During the fall of 2021, TPPP was fortunate to host a practicum student from Washington University in St. Louis who gathered information on what local stakeholders think are the most important goals and objectives for the greater St. Louis region. We are proud to share the full report with the response data from a survey of local stakeholders.  Here are just a few of the key takeaways.

Local Stakeholders prioritized these three national goals:

• Prevent new STIs cases
• Improve the health of people by reducing adverse outcomes of STIs
• Reduce STI-related health disparities and health inequities

Local Stakeholders highlighted the following strategies as high priority:

• Expanding implementation of quality, comprehensive STI primary prevention activities
• Increasing awareness of STIs and sexual health

Local Stakeholders ranked the STIs in order of priority. The local ranking was:

#1 HIV

#2 Syphilis

#3 Chlamydia/Gonorrhea

Along with local testing and treatment data, these rankings can be used to create measurable goals for the region.

Download a one-pager with the STI National Plan Local Stakeholder Survey Key Takeaways

Download the full report here: Final TPPP National Strategic Plan Report

The Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan – PDF (STI Plan) (1.8 MB) sets a vision as well as goals, objectives, and strategies to respond to this STI epidemic. However progress on the STI Plan requires local stakeholders to work in partnership to decide which goal are most applicable to their region and apply strategies to meet those goals.

TPPP is fortunate to have a practicum student from Washington University in St. Louis who is gathering information on what local stakeholders think are the most important goals and objectives for the greater St. Louis region. If you provide STI prevention, testing or treatment services, you are invited to participate in the survey to assess local stakeholders’ organizational
goals and objectives and how they relate to the new STI Plan.

The survey will include STI goals and objectives-related questions, as well as some demographic information, and it takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Your response will be kept confidential. The survey will be open through Tuesday, November 30th.

You can access the survey here.

Your participation in the survey provides valuable feedback to assist stakeholders in the St. Louis Region in the implementation of the STI Plan. Your responses will inform a comprehensive report that will be shared with survey participants, stakeholders and local leaders to improve the health of our community.

As educators are getting ready to return to their classrooms this school year, the Sex Education Collaborative, which TPPP is a part of, has put together a list of simple tips to help you ROCK your sex ed curricula.

You can use one or more of these ideas to improve your sexual health curriculum and prepare for a great year!

The tips include:

Review what you’ve got – including your curriculum, materials and policies.

Open the door for opportunities to engage

Connect with others

Keep in touch with rocking resources – from TPPP and the Sex Ed Collaborative

Check out this new video and one-pager packed with tips to help you review your sex education curriculum and policies, get up to speed on new standards that have been adopted, collaborate with teachers, school administrators, and parents, and navigate the resources available through the Sex Ed Collaborative. 

Help is available – if you or someone you know needs assistance, please visit https://www.essential4kids.org/helplines

At TPPP, we emphasize the many positive benefits of comprehensive sexual health education.

Healthy relationships!
Better physical health and health outcomes!
Positive school climate with less gender-based bullying!

It is one of the most fun warm-up exercises we do at TPPP when we invite educators to brainstorm all the important ways sex ed impacts students – the list goes on and on. New research from Drs. Eva Goldfarb and Lisa Lieberman published in the Journal of Adolescent Health provides further evidence in support of comprehensive education programs. Their review of three decades of research showed that the positive outcomes of age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual health education go far beyond the traditional measures of unintended teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention to include sexual, social and emotional health, and academic outcomes.

An essential and foundational component of comprehensive sexual health education, which was highlighted in the Journal of Adolescent Health, is sexual abuse prevention. According to the Missouri Child Abuse Prevention Education: Guidance and Training Materials released in the fall of 2020:

“Child sexual abuse is a silent epidemic in Missouri and throughout the nation. Children of all ages, races, ethnicities and economic backgrounds may experience sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse affects both girls and boys in all kinds of neighborhoods and communities. According to the CDC, nationally about one in four girls and one in 13 boys experience sexual abuse at some point in childhood (CDC, 2020a). In Missouri, there were 5,225 substantiated cases of child abuse and/or neglect in Fiscal Year 2019, 34 percent of which were cases of sexual abuse (Missouri Children’s Division, 2020). Additionally, in 2019 Missouri Child Advocacy Centers served over 9,000 children, 6,050 of whom reported sexual abuse (National Children’s Alliance, 2020). These numbers mean that whether you work with youth, are a parent or are simply a member of a community, it is highly likely that someone you know or care for has experienced, or is currently experiencing, child sexual abuse.”

In 2019, Missouri legislators approved a statute requiring trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate sexual abuse training for students in 6th grade and up starting in the 2020-2021 school year. If you are not familiar with the statute, you can find it here. In addition, both Missouri KidsFirst and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) have compiled resources and best practices to assist school districts in implementing the sexual abuse training requirements.

Missouri KidsFirst School-Based Education Webpage
DESE Health & Physical Education Webpage & Missouri Healthy Schools YouTube

In order for schools to effectively provide the training required by law, they need the support of the broader community along with resources for students and families who have experienced abuse. As proponents of comprehensive sexual health education and child wellbeing, we all have a role in supporting the implementation of this statute. Abuse is a difficult topic which unfortunately impacts a significant number of people. It is important that parents, teachers, administrators and community members understand the extent of the issue and the valuable impact prevention programs have. Programs that address sexual abuse prevention have been shown to be effective at increasing knowledge and skills that protect children without increasing their anxiety. Educators and community advocates can assist in promoting abuse prevention education by reviewing the guidance provided by Missouri KidsFirst and DESE, supporting their school district in selecting an appropriate curriculum and applauding their efforts to provide this essential prevention education. Service providers can coordinate with districts to address the needs of individuals and families impacted by abuse.

Sexual abuse prevention is just one element of comprehensive sexual health education, but it is one that we must not shy away from. It has the potential to prevent and mitigate the lifelong impact of abuse and create a culture in our schools and the community where children are safe and heard. We have an unprecedented opportunity to ensure young people across Missouri receive resources and education to prevent abuse. Let’s work together to make sure sexual abuse prevention is at the top of the list of positive outcomes from sexual health education in Missouri.

What is new?

For those who were familiar with TPPP’s existing mission, vision and values, there are significant changes. Our existing mission, vision and values did not clearly reflect our commitment to equity, inclusion and a positive youth development approach. We hope these updates center these commitments for our organization and our members. In addition, the Board felt it was essential to push against the stigma and shame that is too often associated with adolescent sexual health and early parenting. Guilt and shame work against trust and open communication which are key to creating meaningful relationships that support teens.

What remains the same?

While we are excited to learn and grow in our work to promote adolescent sexual health, the core of TPPP’s mission has not changed. The Teen Pregnancy & Prevention Partnership unites communities across Missouri to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health. We welcome diverse stakeholders who share in this mission to collaborate in order to ensure young people have the resources they need to make healthy decisions. We also believe in evidence-based and evidence-informed practices which is why TPPP promotes comprehensive, medically-accurate sexual health education.

Moving forward, we hope that these revisions, along with the foundation that has long held our partnership together, will get us closer to our vision where “adolescents in Missouri are supported and safe to make reproductive and sexual health decisions for themselves regardless of race, income, parenting status, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability status”.

You will find the updated mission, vision and values here and on our website at https://www.teenpregnancy-mo.org/about/mission-vision/

Please take a few minutes to review and share them with your friends and colleagues. If you know someone who is already committed to these same ideals or who might like to know more, invite them to join us for a professional development or as a member. Uniting communities to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health is a mission, but it is also a challenge. A challenge that requires us all to be active and engaged in order to grow and welcome others into the work.

Each October, TPPP recognizes Let’s Talk Month to emphasize the importance of young people and the adults they trust talking about sex. This October may feel very different than past years. While the seasons are changing and kids are back at school (at least virtually), many of us are spending significantly more time at home to stop the spread of COVID-19. This brings us new opportunities, and challenges, for Let’s Talk Month.

Back in May, Power to Decide found that “a majority of adults (57%) agree that sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic has provided increased opportunities for conversations with the young people in their lives about sex, love, relationships, and ultimately birth control.” Taking advantage of these opportunities can strengthen family relationships and empower teens to make healthy decisions both in the moment and in the future. At the same time, no one wants to start a conversation that ends with a sullen/angry teenager (or parent) who has nowhere to go! What some parents and trusted adults may not know is how many tools there are to prompt and guide these conversations and hopefully keep them productive and positive.

For children and younger teens, Amaze.org has a variety of videos on sexual health topics, from bullying and cyber-safety to consent and healthy relationships. It is simple to pull one up on YouTube and see if your child is interested in the topic. Power to Decide has a #TalkingisPower Toolkit with conversation starters and tips that can be tailored to the interests of your household and TPPP’s website has a virtual scavenger hunt with activities you can pick and choose to engage kids in conversation about sexual health. Plus, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has their Connect with Me campaign which provides downloadable conversation cards on a wide variety of health topics. For parents and caregivers who feel strained and less creative after months of family togetherness, these tools can make Let’s Talk Month conversations easier and mix up the regular dinnertime conversations.

However, home is not a safe and supportive environment for all kids. Young people, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+, may not be accepted by their families. This can lead to anxiety, trauma or even physical harm during quarantine periods (NPR, 2020). In addition, Missouri Kids First and other child welfare organizations have raised awareness of the fact that child abuse reports declined significantly during April and May. All of us can take steps to ensure that the young people in our lives have a trusted adult who is available to listen and protect them during Let’s Talk Month. If you are concerned about someone you know, make sure to reach out. You can also gather resources and have them on-hand in case a young person needs help or support you cannot provide. Below are just a few:

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. For links to text or chat, visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/. There is also the option to call 1-866-488-7386.

Show Me Hope Missouri is a free crisis counseling program providing outreach and education for disaster recovery. This program is made possible by a grant secured through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If you or someone you know need assistance, please reach out to our Disaster Distress line at 1-800-985-5990, or text “TalkWithUs” to 66768”, or connect through our social media platforms on Facebook or Twitter by searching “Missouri Show Me Hope Crisis Counseling Program

#Essential4Kids is a campaign designed to educate adults on what to do if they suspect a child has been abused or neglected. Go to www.essential4kids.org for resources, including specialized one-page flyers for schools, youth serving organizations, faith communities, law enforcement, and childcare providers are available. If something does not look safe, sound safe, or feel safe – report by calling 1-800-392-3738.

This October, let’s talk! Talk with the kids and teens in your life about how they are feeling and about their hopes for the future. It really is the perfect time to build them up, listen to their concerns and help them think about how they can make informed decisions around relationships and sexual health.

Back to school season may seem like an unusual time for Sexual Health Awareness Month, but it allows all of us to think about starting fresh. A new school year, even for those of us who aren’t in a classroom, is full of possibilities. We can try new activities and start new groups. (There are even a few new evidence-based programs to review!)

The theme for TPPP’s Annual Conference this year was 2020 Vision: Innovating, building resilience, and advancing equity in a new era and we ended the day with a panel of young leaders from Teen Advocates for Sexual Health. Their perspective really made me want to give sex ed in Missouri a fresh start this fall. When asked about the sex ed they received, a panelist summed up his experience in one word … “wack”.

Yet, the teens gave the audience ample ideas on what sexual health education could be: fun, relevant, inclusive, pleasure-centered with a focus on healthy relationships of all types. Now is the time to make those ideas a reality and move from basic, impersonal sexual health education to programs and curricula that address the topics teens want and need in ways that engage and center them.

One way to move towards this vision is to take a critical look at our existing programs and materials. Are you meeting the grade level standards in the 2^nd edition of the National Sexuality Education Standards? Are your lessons inclusive of LGBTQIA+ students? Do they address equity and reproductive justice? Are your activities working in an online classroom? Are you soliciting feedback and partnering with youth to adapt and improve?

This September is sure to be challenging for many of us as we adjust to new health and safety measures and support students impacted by uncertainty, but I hope that won’t stop you from trying something new. Start with just one of the questions above and see where it leads you. We invite you to work in partnership with TPPP and our members to make this school year a great one for sexual health education and awareness. Check out TPPP’s social media channels for new resources and data and together we can move towards the conference panel’s vision for what sex ed can be.

Like many organizations, TPPP has often wished for a magic portal or crystal ball to see the future in this uncertain time, but maybe it is time to throw predictions out the window and focus on the here and now. Data, nationally and locally, shows that visits for medical care (of all types) dropped significantly this spring. More recent reports from the Commonwealth Fund detail the rebound in many sectors but the rebound has been smaller for pediatrics, where many teens still receive services such as wellness visits and immunizations.

Even without a pandemic, many adolescents faced significant barriers to the services they need, including transportation, cost and a lack of confidential care. Fear and uncertainty about how to access services or whether the care they need is a priority during the current health crisis only adds to the list.

TPPP is thankful for all of our partners who continue to provide services at this time. We know many of you have gone above and beyond to ensure teens and families have food, housing, internet access, and medical care. We also want to make sure that teens know about these resources and do not delay care whether it is to get birth control and STI testing, counseling or primary care. Over the past two months, we have interviewed a few of the providers in Missouri about how to access care during COVID-19. These short videos are available for you to share with teens, and the community, to decrease fear, anxiety and stigma about healthcare visits now and in the future. Visit TPPP’s YouTube channel for the Care During COVID playlist with the Contraceptive Choice Center, BHR,  and Mercy Children’s Hospital in Kansas City You can contact us if you would like to schedule an interview to share information on your services for teens in Missouri.

It may be too early for predictions about what this fall holds for Missouri teens, but TPPP is committed to promoting services and education that support their sexual health no matter what!

Today, the Teen Pregnancy & Prevention Partnership (TPPP) is proud to join over 50 organizations across the country in demanding LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education for all young people in the United States. TPPP is participating in a series of virtual events as part of the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Education Week of Action, led by SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, taking place June 22-26, 2020.

LGBTQ+ young people are valued members of every community in the country, yet only nine states mandate that sex education be inclusive of their experiences and contain information relevant to their sexual and reproductive health needs. Research shows that LGBTQ+ young people report disproportionate experiences of depression, bullying, and feelings of unsafety at school–and these experiences are even more common among LGBTQ+ youth of color. However, queer youth that do receive inclusive sex education are less likely to feel unsafe and report lower levels of victimization because of their identity.

The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed Week of Action is dedicated to highlighting the dire need for inclusive instruction. The week will feature webinars led by LGBTQ+ sex education experts, educators, advocates, and researchers and center stories from LGBTQ+ young people themselves. Week of action participants will also have opportunities to take digital action and join conversations on social media.

TPPP stands with LGBTQ+ young people in demanding access to the sexual and reproductive health information, skills, and services that all young people need to properly care for themselves, their families, and their communities.

To join the week of action, please visit SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change

To learn more about recommendations and resources to support LGBTQ+ students in Missouri, please visit our blog post on GLSEN’s School Climate Survey from 2019.

Right now, less than half of the states require sex education to be medically accurate – Missouri doesn’t require sex education at all and schools that provide it can choose medically accurate or abstinence-only lessons. Missouri’s statutes also don’t address LGBTQ+ students which means few receive information specific to their health. Even as our country and our world respond to a global pandemic, we must acknowledge that young people deserve better. 

SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change reminds us that “with sex education, we have a golden opportunity to create a culture shift – tackling the misinformation, shame, and stigma that create the basis for so many of today’s most pressing issues” including sexual violence and disparities in sexual health.

You are invited to explore and support comprehensive sexual health education and what it means for young people throughout May as we celebrate Sex Ed for All month. To be part of this national movement, you can sign up with Advocates for Youth and follow the conversation all month long on social media with the hashtag #SexEdForAll! TPPP will be providing our members with a special update on Data, Tools and Trends that are essential to sex ed and rolling out additional resources for parents to start sex ed conversations with their kids at home while schools are closed.

Make sure to follow TPPP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information on Sex Ed for All Month in Missouri throughout May.