Addressing Sexual Health in Schools: Policy Considerations
Organization: Advocates for Youth
Type of Resource: Online Manual
Description: According to the Advocates for Youth website, “This resource, written by Danene Sorace, MPP, is intended to guide educators, administrators, and advocates to assess the sexual health policies and practices in their states, school districts, and schools. It provides research and best practices on policies that address adolescent sexual health through schools.” This link will take you to the online Table of Contents, where you can navigate the manual through the website or download it as a PDF. Particular topics that may be of interest include, but are not limited to, 1) Policy Overview: Sexual Health Education; and 2) Policy Overview: Sexual and Reproductive Health Services.
An Overview of Minors’ Consent Law
Organization: Guttmacher Institute
Type of Resource: Online Publication
Description: This online publication from the Guttmacher Institute highlights the legal abilities of minors to consent to a range of sensitive health care services, including contraceptive services, STI services, prenatal care, adoption, medical care for a child, and abortion. The specifics of this information are provided for each state.
Link: https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/spibs/spib_OMCL.pdf
Refusing to Provide Health Services
Organization: Guttmacher Institute
Type of Resource: Online Publication
Description: This online publication provides information regarding the laws that “…allow health care professionals and institutions to refuse to provide services related to reproductive health without facing legal, financial, or professional consequences.” This resource also displays policies allowing providers to refuse specific services by state.
Link: https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/refusing-provide-health-services
State Laws & Policies
Organization: Guttmacher Institute
Type of Resource: Website
Description: This brief summarizes state-level sex and HIV education policies, as well as specific content requirements, based on a review of state laws, regulations and other legally binding policies.
Link: https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/sex-and-hiv-education
State Policies on Sexual Education in Schools
Organization: National Conference on State Legislators
Type of Resource: Website
Description: Contains 2016 stage legislation, state laws on medical accuracy in sexuality education and additional resources.
Link: http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-policies-on-sex-education-in-schools.aspx