Integrating Healthy Relationships and Sexual Health in Transitional Foster Care

Compared to the general youth population, foster care youth experience higher risks for negative sexual health outcomes, including teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as negative antecedents to their sexual development, such as abuse, neglect, lack of secure attachment, and having mothers that were teen parents themselves. At Pendleton Place, programs are in place for youth that uses a curriculum that encourages healthy decision making on relationships and sexuality. The Rose Model for Healthy Relationships was created by a local sexual health educator and is a trauma-informed, research-based, and sex-positive program. This program engages teens in healing, empowerment and igniting their lives and dreams. PBF provided support for this important program in 2018.