Education is a powerful tool; one that leads to freedom, safety, and better health. TuscBDD and a local provider, Advocates for Success, are working to make sexual education available to community members, specifically for people with developmental disabilities and their caretakers.
Including You is brought to you by the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Three trained Service and Support Administrators (SSAs) from the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and one DSP are in the early stages of launching a sex ed program. The program is called Healthy Relationships and Sexuality and is based on the Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities curricula through Elevatus Training. It’s described as a workshop that will help you become more comfortable discussing sexuality by covering what themes to address and when, as well as the most effective ways to talk about other sensitive topics.
The program will offer three different curriculums, the first being a course for high school students and adults with developmental disabilities. The other two courses are for caregivers and paid professionals. Conversations on sexual health and sexual activity are not always comfortable, but this SSA-lead program is meant to educate and support patrons of the courses.
Read on to find out more about what, why, who, and when.
What is being taught?
Participants will learn about sexuality, consent, and sexual development. The course will also provide tools for caregivers to feel more comfortable talking about sex and other sensitive topics. The program will allow participants to explore their own values regarding sexuality, as well as the attitudes they have toward people with developmental disabilities and sexuality.
All materials will be provided, and the cost is free.
Why is there a need for this type of program?
According to TuscBDD, many times, people with developmental disabilities are left out of the conversation about sexuality. In reality, they are sexual beings, too. They need to have the information and education to make healthy decisions regarding sexuality.
As noted by SSA professionals, “People with disabilities aren’t offered the same education as their peers without disabilities. This makes them more vulnerable to things like abuse, exploitation, and trafficking and may be at risk for being perpetrators of abuse due to the lack of education.”
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, people with IDD are 7 times more likely to be sexually abused than someone without IDD.
Who will be leading classes and curriculum?
The program is being offered by three TuscBDD Service and Support Administrators, Advocates for Success, and one DSP. They are Certified Sexual Educators with training through Elevatus Training (www.elevatustraining.com.). Between Emily Lippert, Christy Bennet, Candice Eckhardt, and Karly Howell, there are over 30 years of experience working in the social services field, specifically serving those who have developmental disabilities. These women are trained professionals, as well as friends, mothers, and caretakers of loved ones with developmental disabilities.
When is the course being offered?
The program is in its infancy stages and more work is needed to develop a schedule for class offerings. That said, beginning in April, through We Thrive Together, courses will be offered virtually. If interested, please contact them at healthyrelationships@tuscbdd.org or call the main TuscBDD office at 330-308-7173. From there, they can provide information on upcoming trainings.
The SSAs and DSP behind the program are incredibly passionate about spreading this important information to as many people are they can. Emily, Karly, Candice, and Christy thanked the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Advocates for Success for supporting the project.
To learn more about these services and others, visit TuscBDD online at www.tuscbdd.org.
Audrey Mattevi
Reporting
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