Making the Case for Comprehensive Sex Education in the Child Welfare System

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Comprehensive, inclusive, pleasure-forward, consent-based sexuality education is critical for all young people, including those who are child welfare involved and also those who have engaged in PSBs! This session outlines how and when child welfare involved youth fall through the sex education cracks and how child welfare providers can be a bridge to healthy sexuality. It supports providers as they consider their own biases, history, and knowledge base, and affirms that sexuality education, provided in trauma informed ways, is an integral piece to the child welfare setting. It is based on An Introduction to Sexuality Education: A Handbook for Child Welfare Providers.

Presenters: Karen Rayne, PhD, CSE; and Andrea Requenes
Presentation Date: Oct. 6, 2026

Learning objectives:

• Describe the importance of comprehensive sexuality education in child welfare settings.
• Assess their own preparation for providing comprehensive sexuality education.
• Identify at least two resources for further learning regarding comprehensive sexuality education in the child welfare space.