When youths turn the corner of adolescence, physically and emotionally they start the path toward relationships and sexual health. How prepared they are to have discussions about these topics depends on many factors. According to the World Health Organization, “Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors.”
For most youths, their families and surroundings guide their conversations about sexuality and reproductive health. But for foster youth, barriers exist to these communications. Due to experienced trauma, multiple placements, and lack of consistent adults in their lives, these youths don’t have the same discussions as other youths.
Here are some reasons why sexual and reproductive health are priorities to foster youth:
1. Pregnancy. In a report by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, 71% of foster females experienced pregnancy by their 21st birthday, compared to 34% of non-foster females. 49% of foster males indicated they had gotten someone pregnant by age 21 vs. 19% non-foster males. Putting youths in the position of early pregnancy creates significant stress for the expectant mother, making life decisions at an early age of keeping a child, abortion, or giving the child up for adoption.
2. Unintended Pregnancy. The same Chapin Hall report indicated that, of the foster youths that experienced pregnancy, 70% of foster females and 66.3% of foster males stated the pregnancy was not intentional. This shows that many foster youths have irrational beliefs that, “It can’t happen to me,” or lack the knowledge and resources for birth control.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections. According to several reports for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), by the time they are 26, 44% of foster females contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) vs. 23% of non-foster females, and 18% of foster males contract STIs vs. 11% of non-foster males. Foster youths who are sexually active are not aware of the infections that can occur and how to protect themselves.
Communicating to foster youths about sexual health is not an easy chore. Because of their family and cultural backgrounds, discussing sex may be taboo or bring shame to them. Moreover, youths with trauma, especially sexual abuse may be triggered by the discussion of sex. Staff working with foster youths need to work in concert with caregivers and the youths in providing them information, resources, and guidance. Helping youths develop a healthy understanding of relationships, love, and consent increases protective factors to reduce violence and further abuse.
Praxes provides a course on Sexual and Reproductive Health. For more information, please contact us.
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PRAXES is a nationwide behavioral health software, consulting, and training company. No one in the behavioral health industry has a better reputation, and if you give us the chance, we’ll show you why! At PRAXES, our services improve the efficiency and structure of behavioral health agencies serving children and families nationwide. PRAXES brings over 45 years of administrative and clinical expertise. With more than 100 client companies nationwide, we offer the expertise to advance the quality of behavioral health services. We accomplish these goals through our new clinical decision software, our training of best practices, and helping companies meet regulatory standards. At PRAXES, we believe in being creative and fostering new ways to serve children and their families. Our vision is to empower the families our agencies serve with skills that not only improve their functioning, but help them to thrive in their everyday lives. When you give us the chance, you’ll be connected directly to our friendly staff, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry. So, don’t wait, call now!
Dan Thorne has unique perspectives on the field of mental health. As a clinician, he has had over 40 years of experience working with clients in the Southern California area. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Irvine, he worked with children in the Orange County Juvenile Hall. Here he honed his earliest techniques on at-risk children. After that, he obtained his Master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton.
In the 1990’s, Dan turned his attention to the clinical and administrative side of behavioral health organizations. For three years, he was the Assistant Administrator of Starting Point, a chemical dependency facility in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2001, he took an opportunity to be the Director of Harbor View Community Services Center in Long Beach. When he arrived, the Center had only 80 clients and 13 staff. When he left, there were over 400 clients and 75 staff. Dan created several programs through their contract with the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health and Child and Family Services. Under his guidance, Harbor View became one of the leading providers of children’s services in Los Angeles County.
While improving the results of the client’s parents at the Center, Dan reflected on his experiences as a parent. His children themselves had special needs such as mental and intellectual challenges, and Dan knew the toll it takes on the parent. In order to help the child, the parent has to be healthy. From this concept, he created his parenting program. After years of refining it, teaching it to his staff at the Center, and then taking the results and comments from these efforts, he became the developer of the current PRAXES program. It is a culmination of Dan’s personal trials and tribulations as a parent along with empirical results and research of over 40 parenting programs.
Our vision at PRAXES is to advance the strength of parents and caregivers of children with special needs (mental health, intellectual, or physical) through education, support, and empowerment. Thus, they can live healthy and functional lives while caring for the child.
Apogee is a clinical decision software designed to help behavioral health practitioners with their treatment and patient engagement. It provides evidence-based and research-based components. Not only do they consist of elements from such practices as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Functional Behavior Analysis, but also the Intensive Models for Parents, Youth, and Children.
PRAXES has over 30 years of accreditation experience. We know what it takes to get your organization accredited. Whether it’s Joint Commission, CARF, or COA, our team can provide an evaluation of your current status and review the standards which need improvements. We will assist you with the policies, documentation, and training required to be accredited.
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