Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs (Adolescents/Young Adults)

Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs (Adolescents/Young Adults) are defined by the CEBC as programs that are designed to support adolescents and transition-age youth/young adults to express their sexuality without the risk of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, violence, coercion, or discrimination. Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs are of particular interest to child welfare systems, as studies have shown that adolescents in foster care are more likely to be sexually active or to have a sexual transmitted infection and be sexually active at younger ages and with a larger number of partners than their peers not in foster care. A history of childhood physical, psychological, and sexual abuse is associated with a higher risk for poor sexual health outcomes, with youth in foster care experiencing sexual and physical abuse at much higher rates than in the general youth population. Sexual minority youth, who are overrepresented in the child welfare system, are also at increased risk of poor sexual health outcomes. Finally, youth in foster care are more likely to experience sexual assault and dating violence than their peers not in foster care. The goals of Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs are to promote healthy sexual behaviors and relationships; reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and sexual violence; and to foster positive attitudes towards sexuality while empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

Homelessness can be defined in different ways, but the 1987 Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act defined it as “lacking a regular nighttime residence or having a primary nighttime residence that is a temporary shelter or other place not designed for sleeping.” Housing instability is the limited or uncertain availability of (or access to) stable, safe, adequate, and affordable housing.

• Target population: Adolescents and transition-age youth/young adults
• Services/types that fit: Physical and mental health services, including HIV, STI, and pregnancy testing and contraception, educational programs, counseling, peer support, case management, assessment, and support services
• Delivered by: Caseworkers, mental health professionals, clinicians, nurses, educators, or trained paraprofessionals
• In order to be included: Program must specifically provide services that target the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and transition-age youth/young adults
• In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines sexual and reproductive health outcomes of the services, such as changes in the number of unwanted pregnancies, occurrence of risky sexual activity, or the sexual and/or reproductive health of youth.

When the CEBC launched Teen Pregnancy Services in 2013, Richard P. Barth, PhD, was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date in 2013 (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). The topic area has grown over the years and in 2026, the topic area was split into 2 related topic areas: this one and Pregnant and Parenting Teen Services. All of the programs added since 2013 in Sexual and Reproductive Health were identified by pCEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Barth was not involved in identifying or rating them.