This is the final installment in a series on teens and sex. Last week covered interviews with teens, parents, and teachers.

With STDs occurring among island youth, accounts of students having sex as early as middle school, and the definition of “sex” itself evolving in teen circles, local educators and health officials are renewing their efforts to promote sexual education and health.

Resources to help

The Island Reproductive Health Initiative, which is managed by the Orcas Island Community Foundation, was born out of a group meeting at the Orcas Middle School. Islanders shared concerns about unplanned pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in the community.

Lack of local access to confidential reproductive health care was deemed a serious problem for young women, especially those who are under- or uninsured.

Washington teens have a right to contraception without their parents’ permission, but with the nearest Planned Parenthood office on San Juan Island, access for Orcas students is limited. So some island medical professionals proposed that the island’s medical providers band together to provide fulfill the need. Services now available to teens include counseling, examination, lab work, a three-month supply of birth control, and the “morning after pill.” Free condoms and information are provided at several locations.

Phoebe Hershenow, a family nurse practitioner at Orcas Family Health Center, does a lot of work with women’s health and teens. She taught classes for Planned Parenthood before moving to Orcas and has been very involved in the IRHI initiative.

“It’s been a good thing, because we offer the kids confidential sexuality education and birth control,” she said. “We always encourage (teens) to talk to their parents, and a lot of times the office visit is a motivation to go talk to their parents. We’re a progressive community, and kids are getting a lot of good, accurate information.”

Hershenow says the goal for young people with respect to sexual development is to “ultimately have healthy, happy sexual relationships.”

“In order to do that they have to have the maturity and judgement to avoid STDs, prevent unwanted pregnancy, and most importantly, avoid psychological and emotional harm,” she said.

In the schools, Orcas PTSA past president Barbara Skotte was a strong advocate for school-based education. Greg Ayers, of the Orcas Medical Foundation, and a physician himself, joined the group to help develop the protocols, as well as to set up connections with the OMF and Orcas Island Community Foundation.

In June 2010, the Orcas School Board unanimously approved teaching sexual health education in the public schools. The state-approved curriculum will be presented to grades five through 12. According to IRHI, it will teach prevention of HIV and STDs, understanding and respect for oneself and one’s body, and making informed, responsible sexual choices, including abstinence. The school is using the “Family Life and Sexual Health” program, a nationally recognized curriculum.

“Many parents are finding the FLASH homework a great way to continue the conversation,” said Dr. Sarah Lyle, a local health practitioner.

Sandi Burt, MSW, will be leading a 27-week sexuality education course called Our Whole Lives (OWL) in the fall for 7-9th graders. Co-leaders will be Suzanne Olson and Shelly Carlson, as well as many guest presenters. The course is made possible by a grant from the Orcas Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Fund, a donor advised fund at the Orcas Island Community Foundation. The series also has sponsorship from Orcas Family Heath Center and support from the Orcas Island Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Office Cupboard and Mia’s Cafe. The program will take place this fall; the details have not been nailed down yet. Registration will begin in September.

What parents can do

Even with new school curricula and community resources, local educators believe that sex education must begin at home.

“Parents need to be aware they have a huge responsibility,” said Orcas school Superintendent Barbara Kline. “In today’s society, there is so much exposure that young people have that they did not have before. There’s a whole different culture.”

Despite the discomfort “the talk” can cause, health educators say parents can tackle the subject of sexual development and choices a little bit at a time; spend more time listening than talking, and get to know the world their children live in; encourage honesty; build self-esteem and avoid scare tactics; and make it a habit to share values and beliefs.

Steering teens toward healthy and positive activities is also key, they say.

“The big thing is to keep them busy and involved,” said one island mother, adding, “Thank god for sports and horses.”

“Being a presence as a parent goes a long way,” the mother said. “Knowing your children’s friends and making yourself available to your children and their friends is key. Be a part of their conversations, even when they are sometimes uncomfortable.”

She said parents should be open and honest about their expectations.

“If you have that conversation, then your kids know what your family values are. If you don’t talk about it, how will your 12-year-old know? It’s all about conversation. Sometimes it’s a conversation in your car or not at a predicted moment.”

One of her daughters has a cell phone, and she checks the texting history. She says it’s not a matter of not trusting her daughter, but about keeping tabs.

“If parents are going to allow this access to their kids, they have to be willing to monitor it and not give them free rein,” she said. “Left to their own devices, they will explore things on their own.”

Dr. Lyle said teens having sex is ultimately “not a school issue,” but a family concern.

“Parents need to pay attention,” she said. “Most likely when kids are having sex, it’s in their home.”

Meredith M. Griffith contributed to this series.

Statistics

The Washington Healthy Youth Survey (www.doh.wa.gov/healthyyouth/reports/default.htm) from 2010 offers the following:

• Ever had sex: 8th graders: 17%; 10th graders; 31%; 12th graders: 53%

• 4+ partners (% of those above):  8th: 8%; 10th: 8%; 12th: 17%.

• Used a condom at last sex: 8th: 59%; 10th: 63%; 12th: 54%.

IRHI information

Orcas Island Community Foundation manages IRHI. Donations can be made  to OICF–IRHI Fund, P.O. Box 1496, Eastsound.