Key points
- Schools play a critical role in raising awareness about the importance of sexual health services (SHS).
- Schools can take a number of actions to connect students to sexual health services.
Overview
As young people mature and potentially become sexually active, it's important to ensure they have access to needed health services. This includes sexual health services (SHS), such as:
- HIV testing and treatment.
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment.
- Pregnancy testing.
- Health guidance and counseling.
- Contraceptive services.
- Condom availability.
- Sexual risk assessments.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
Did you know?
Schools can play a critical role in raising awareness about the importance of, and linking students to, sexual health services.
How schools can increase access to sexual health services
Schools can provide students with access to sexual health services on-site or in their community by taking a number of actions. For example:
- Schools can offer sexual health services directly on-site through periodic school-wide STI screening events or mobile clinics.
- Schools can offer sexual health services at a school-based health center (SBHCs).
- Schools can create a referral system to connect youth to youth-friendly providers of sexual health services in the community. A successful referral system requires schools to build strong relationships with community providers, such as health departments, community-based organizations, and primary care providers. Also essential is a referral guide—a list of local youth-friendly SHS providers along with their locations, phone numbers or websites, and other information.
- Schools can implement or improve a condom availability program (CAP). CAPs make condoms available free of charge in places such as the school nurse's office, school-based health centers, or health resource rooms.
Increasing access to sexual health services
Schools can help improve staff, parent, and student knowledge and comfort with quality sexual health information and services. For example:
- Host quarterly or yearly meetings with health care providers. This allows school staff to meet providers, learn about their services, and create ways for students to connect with them.
- Prioritize professional development relating to sexual health services. The goal is to build staff comfort, ability, and expertise in adolescent sexual health.
- Share information with parents and families on sexual health services related topics. Topics might include getting routine, preventive care, and how to create a trusting relationship with a provider.
- Teach students how to access school-based and community sexual health services as part of their sexual health education curriculum.
- Use marketing campaigns to raise students' awareness of SHS and encourage positive attitudes about getting services.