Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Under Fire?

Although most states, such as California, offer sexual and reproductive wellness education for foster youth through SB 89, some governmental entities try to minimize its application.  A report from the Imprint in May indicated that there are “10 states with no publicly available policies ensuring all foster youth have received age-appropriate education on sexuality and relationships.” The reasons for this component of education for foster youth are evident. Texas’ TribTalk 2018 indicated, “Girls in foster care are nearly five times more likely to get pregnant than girls who are not in foster care.” A report from Chapin Hall in 2016 indicated, among other things, that of foster youth that experienced pregnancy, 66% of young men and 70% of young women reported that it was unintentional. 

To be clear, SB 89 in California indicates that children ages ten and older are to receive access to sexual and reproductive wellness and health education, remove barriers, and provide sexual health training. However, each agency should verify this requirement with their county or state. 



Last year, I worked with a client developing a California residential treatment program. The population of the children at the home would be between those identifying as female, ages 6 to 12.  The client wanted a letter of support from her county of residence to advance her program statement to the state. My client and I were talking to the Mental Health Department in that county about the program statement. Within it, we stated that Planned Parenthood would be a resource for birth control and sexual and reproductive health. The county representatives questioned why children this young would need this resource. I explained to them the state law (SB89) and that children aged ten and above can access this information at home. After a ten-minute back-and-forth discussion with the county representatives, they agreed that this resource was acceptable for the facility. This account is an example that, although county and state agencies should be aware of the laws and regulations, a community-based organization needs to educate and advocate. Otherwise, sexual and reproductive wellness will be non-existent.

Praxes Behavioral Health offers courses in sexual and reproductive wellness. Feel free to contact us for more information.