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Effective: 01/08/2026

C12.20 Sexuality Education, Prevention of Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases for Transition Age Youth

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​Sexuality education and efforts toward the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are among the array of services to be provided to transition-age youth.   

Practice Guidance

  • ​​Sexuality education includes topics such as anatomy, intimate relationships, sexual reproduction, sexually transmitted infections, sexual activity, sexual orientation, gender identity, abstinence, contraception, and reproductive rights and responsibilities.  
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmentally appropriate, evidence-based education about sexuality and sexual reproduction provided by pediatricians, schools, other professionals, parents, or caregivers to help children and adolescents make informed, positive, and safe choices about healthy relationships, responsible sexual activity, and their reproductive health. Sexuality education also helps to prevent unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This is especially important for children and youth in out-of-home (OOHC) care who may be at higher risk for early pregnancy, unsafe sexual relationships, including trafficking, and engaging in risky behaviors. It is also essential that this information is reiterated, appropriate to age, throughout the child and adolescent developmental stages.  
  • To be effective, sexuality education cannot be a one-time provision of information, but includes ongoing access to accurate, evidence-based information from professionals or trusted adults;
  • Pediatricians, local health departments, educators, school social workers, therapists, private child placing (PCP) or residential staff, independent living or transitional services staff, foster parents or other caregivers are all part of the child’s or youth’s support system who may assist with ensuring youth have access to information and a safe space to discuss issues related to sexual health.  

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Procedure

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The SSW:
  1. Ensures the youth has received and continues to receive age-appropriate information regarding: 
    1. Human anatomy, puberty, and reproductive health;
    2. Healthy sexual development, including preventing abuse and high-risk behaviors;
    3. Pregnancy prevention, including how to access contraceptives; 
    4. Prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS prevention; and 
    5. General information about gender identity and sexual orientation, including where to access supports, as described in SOP C12.23 Safety for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) and Gender Non-Conforming Youth​;                      
  2. ​Documents provisions of information and source when it occurs or becomes known. 

Documents

Revisions