
Understand why this training on sexual and reproductive wellness for youth in foster care is essential. Identify staff responsibilities, youth rights, confidentiality standards, and trauma-informed resources to support healthy development.
Explore youth in foster care's reproductive and sexual health rights, including consent, privacy, confidentiality, contraception access, private storage, provider choice, timely transportation, age-appropriate information, and protections for LGBT youth.
Outline the duties and rights of STRTP staff in supporting youth's sexual and reproductive health, including access to care, timely transportation, privacy and confidentiality, and applying the reasonable standard.
Explain confidentiality and mandated reporting in foster care, outlining California abuse reporting rules, non voluntary sexual activity, exploitation, and how to document with youth consent and agency policy.
Identify in-person and online referrals to vetted clinics and resources like teensource.org, Pocket Guide LA, bedsider.org, and trevorproject.org for medically accurate, age-appropriate contraception, pregnancy options, and health information.
Engage foster youth in sensitive topics by using door openers, nonjudgmental listening, inclusive language, and providing clear referrals and resources to foster ongoing dialogue.
Is a foster youth allowed to use contraception if they want to? How do you respond if a teen tells you that they may be pregnant or think they may have an STD? What if they ask for romantic advice? In this course designed for staff in group homes and STRTPs in California, you will learn how you can support the healthy sexual development of youth in foster care, including what you can, can't, must and may do as staff. The course includes legal information and information on licensing rules as well as suggestions regarding best practice. Participants will be able to download a number of resources and referrals that can be used in your work. The training complies with the training mandates of the California Foster Youth Sexual Health Education Act (Senate Bill 89).