Interfaith STI Prevention and Treatment T oolkit and C urriculum ( o verview ) Call to Action - H igh rates and cases of sexually transmitted infections (ST I s) are at an epidemic level in neighborhoods across Los Angeles County Youth and young adults, particularly in South LA, Antelope Valley and parts of East Los Angeles face particular challenges to their sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing. African American and Latinx 1 young people 2 face greater challenges due to the many health inequities experienced in their communities and have the highest rates of ST I s compared to that of white youth i All ST I s are treatable, and most are curable. However, due to lack of knowledge, stigma, fear, and shame, far too many young people do not access testing or treatment This is where faith communities can come in. A young person who may be affected by an ST I may also be the same young person involved in places of faith In response, We CanStopSTDsLA, in conjunction with its Interfaith Working Group, created a sexual and reproductive health T oolkit for the faith community. T he Toolkit will be used as an educational resource designed to provide guidance and support to faith leaders on how to incorporate STI prevention and education into their places of faith. The Toolkit includes sermon notes and faith references designed to help faith leaders think about religious reflections on STI prevention. Sermon reflections can help faith leaders incorporate key messag es into sermons so that members in their faith community understand the importance of young peoples’ health and STI education, prevention, and treatment. The Toolkit comes with a faith rooted STI Prevention Curriculum for young people fourteen to seventeen years old. The C urriculum provides faith leaders with step - by - step instructions and resources to guide discussions with young people about the prevention and treatment of STIs. Message from the Interfaith Working Group We understand human sexuality is a complex and difficult topic for many, and that different religions and faith traditions have various perspectives, values and expectations for sexuality and sexual expression. Within this context, we know that each place of worship shares a common desire to uphold and ensure the health and well - being of the young people it serves, and to teach and guide them to make wise and healthy decisions. It is at this point that we the 1 Latinx will be used instead of Latina/Latino throughout. 2 ‘Young people ’ is the catch all phase used throughout this document and includes youth, young adults which may also be used 202 5 2 I nterfaith STI Prevention and Treatment curriculum members of the WeCanStopSTDsLA Interfaith Working Group, found common ground and interests to engage in dialogue and produce th e Interfaith Toolkit and accompanying Curriculum , so that we can better equip and strengthen young people for the long haul while upholding our spiritual values and practices. As faith leaders, we must understand the long term and short term impacts an ST I can have on physical and emotional health and well - being. We have a great opportunity, an imperative if you will, to come alongs ide young people and provide critical and life - saving information. Toolkit Objectives • H elp faith leaders create a safe and support ive environment to discuss these issues with youth that includes open communication, encouragement, and compassion in a framework of youth resiliency , with well - informed guidance and information that help youth navigate risky behaviors and make healthy choices. • B ridge the gap between faith communities and youth ’ s sexual and reproductive health. Curriculum • The overall goal of the c urriculum is to provide a safe space within faith communities for youth and young adults to gain information and skills that will equip them to make healthy decisions to reduce the risk of STIs Objective: to help youth faith leaders guide youth and young adults ages 14 – 17 years old to: • Practice skills to have open, honest communication between two people in order to promote healthy relationships for young people. • Learn about ST I ’s, why they should care about them, and how to reduce their risk of getting one • Name the risk factors associated with contracting an STI s and identify at least 2 actions that can be taken to reduce their risk of contracting an STI. • Identify at least one clinic near their home or school and describe how they or their friends can seek testing and treatment. • Demonstrate skills and name options to reduce risky sexual behavior in a framework of positive youth development and resiliency. • Promote open communication and healthy relationships 202 5 3 I nterfaith STI Prevention and Treatment curriculum By the end of the program, participants will: • Describe how ST I s are transmitted and how to reduce their risk of getting one. • Be able to demonstrate assertive communication and engaged listening in relationships. • List the rights and responsibilities they have in a relationship and apply them to real life scenarios • Identify the components needed for consent • Be able to list at least one place to get tested and treated for an STD. The c urriculum is divided into two (2) 2 - hour sessions: • Session I: What you need to know about STDs : Session I introduces the problem of STDs and their disparate impact on young communities of color, and provides participants with basic information related to STDs: what they are, how they impact one’s health, and how to minimize their risk of getting an STD. Participants also learn how to access sexual and reproductive health services in their community, including testing and treatment for STDs. • Session II: What does it take to stay healthy : Session II focuses providing youth with knowledge and skills that will keep them free from STDs in the context of a healthy romantic relationship. Students will learn about self - efficacy and what rights and responsibilities they have in relationships. Part icipants learn about consent and have an opportunity to practice healthy communication skills, so they feel more confident in communicating their needs and boundaries. E ach session includes space for Sacred Text reflection and discussion. 202 5 4 I nterfaith STI Prevention and Treatment curriculum Session a t a g lance Topic Time Description 1. Welcome 8 min • Welcome, opening reflection/prayer, introduction to the workshop/workshop series • Develop group agreement / discussion guidelines to create a safe space. • Discuss importance of confidentiality, and use of anonymous chat / anonymous questions • Talk about mandated reporting 2. Pre - test 10 min • Administer pre - test 3. Icebreaker 7 min • Icebreaker options are provided to help create a fun, relaxed setting for the conversation 4. Sacred text reflection 15 min • Sacred text reflection/discussion on how knowledge is power • Introduce rates of STIs affecting young people of color, who is impacted most (inequities) • Why do these inequities exist? • Why should we as people of faith be concerned about this? 5. STIs: Myths and Facts 10 min • Activity (Kahoot!) on myths and facts about STIs 6. What is an STI? 10 min • What is it? • How is it transmitted • Video and discussion 7. Break 10 min 8. Risky Behaviors 10 min • Risky behaviors activity 9. How to prevent STI s 10 min • How to prevent STIs v ideo and discussion • Healthy communication Styles 202 5 5 I nterfaith STI Prevention and Treatment curriculum Topic Time Description 10. Anonymous questions 5 min • Last call for anonymous questions 11. How to access resources 10 min • Activity 12. Q & A Time 10 min • Q & A time for anonymous questions or those raised by participants 13. Wrap up and closing 5 min • Recap, and provide information on the second session. WeCanStopSTDsLA Interfaith Working Group Background : Since 2014, the Interfaith Working Group has positively affected Los Angeles faith - based communities by holding open conversations about sexual and reproductive health. A notable success, two Circle of Faith events we convened. After each event, feedback from over (70) faith leaders showed most were interested in a sexual and reproductive health resource for youth in their place of faith that aligned with their faith practices and values. In response, the Interfaith Working Group created an Interfaith STI P revention curriculum. The curriculum has been vetted by faith leaders in Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs. i Division of HIV and STD Programs, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 2017 Annual STD Surveillance Report. http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/dhsp/Reports.htm Published August 2019. Accessed 9/26/2021