Information & Education (I&E) Program

New awards confirmed for ASH Ed RFA Program. For details, see Public Notice of Final Award, June 2, 2022.

Normal, healthy youth development includes sexual health. The Information & Education (I&E) Program provides funding for education that emphasizes prevention of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The program provides comprehensive sexual health education through nine (9) local agencies serving high-need youth statewide.

I&E informs young people about eligibility and access to federal, state and local clinical services, and offers comprehensive sexual health education with topics such as partner communication, negotiation and refusal skills, and communication with a trusted adult. Services are offered in diverse settings, such as mainstream and alternative schools, social service agencies, juvenile detention facilities and youth centers.

Through I&E, young people gain knowledge and are empowered to make responsible decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health. Providing youth with the information and skills they need to make healthy choices is a critical component in promoting the positive development of California’s youth.

Program Profile

Print Version (PDF)

About Us

OUR GOAL: To promote and improve the sexual and reproductive health of high-need populations.

WE SERVE: Youth ages 10-19 who meet at least one of the following criteria: reside/attend school in a high-need community, receive services at a reproductive health clinic in a high-need community, are homeless/runaway, dropped out of school, attend an alternative/ continuation school, are in or emancipated from foster care, are in the juvenile justice or probation system, identify as LGBTQ, reside in a migrant farmworker household,

reside in or receive outpatient services from a mental health/substance abuse treatment facility, have special health care needs, or are expectant/ parenting female you up to age 21.

OUTCOMES: Youth who have participated in I&E report increased knowledge around prevention of pregnancy and STIs and increased awareness of access to local sexual and reproductive health services. To improve the likelihood of achieving the same results, I&E agencies implement curricula with fidelity.

FINANCING: State General Funds and Title XIX

Progam Services

I&E’s approach includes the following components:

Evidence-based Program Models: Agencies use one or more of four models that best meet their populations needs:

Cuidate!
Sexual Health and Adolescent Risk Prevention
Making Proud Choices!
Teen Talk Adapted for All Abilities

Parent/Caring Adult Activities: Agencies will plan activities to engage parents and caring adults in the community to support youth in their sexual health education and build parents/caring adults’ confidence in promoting open conversation.

Clinical Linkages: The Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (Family PACT) Program is California’s approach to providing comprehensive family planning services to eligible low-income individuals. I&E agencies actively partner with Family PACT and other local providers to ensure adolescents are aware of and have access to sexual and reproductive health services.

California Healthy Youth Act

In 2016, the state’s emphasis on providing youth with comprehensive sexual health education was strengthened by the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA).
CHYA mandates school districts to provide integrated, comprehensive, sexual health and HIV prevention education.
It outlines new content standards that include, among others, affirmative recognition of different sexual orientations, exploring the harm of negative gender stereotypes, and providing youth with the knowledge and skills to form healthy relationships.
I&E agencies delivering programs in publicly-funded schools are required to coordinate efforts with school districts to ensure their compliance with CHYA requirements.

Where We Are

I&E services are provided in schools, juvenile justice facilities, community-based organizations and county offices. There are nine (9) I&E agencies in eight (8) counties: Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura