Chapter 3 : Section 7.7

Sexual Development Education and Family Planning Services

Policy

DCS Specialists and out-of-home caregivers share with the schools the responsibility of educating and preparing children in out-of-home care to function as self-sufficient, competent adults.

DCS Specialists and caregivers, in collaboration with the child’s own parents, schools, public health and community agencies, provide education and training concerning sexual development and sexuality to children in out-of-home care.

Sexual development and sexuality learning programs for children must be appropriate to the age and development level of the children. The programs should include:

Personal and family values regarding sexuality;
Religious and cultural issues regarding sexuality;
Self-respect and its relationship to sexual behaviors and character development;
Physiological information;
Personal hygiene related to sexuality;
Long-term and permanent relationships with partners, spouses and friends;
Family planning information including abstinence;
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS; and
Recognizing, preventing and avoiding sexual abuse and the impact of sexual abuse and other sexual victimization on sexual development.

DCS Specialists will facilitate the provision of appropriate medical, counseling, psychological or psychiatric services, including human sexuality and family planning information emphasizing abstinence, to children who are wards of the court, committed to the care, custody and control of the Department.

The Department shall assure that appropriate medical, counseling, psychological and/or psychiatric services, including human sexuality and family planning information emphasizing abstinence, are provided to children who are wards of the court, committed to the care, custody and control of the Department.

Tasks related to human sexuality, sexual development, and family planning, emphasizing abstinence, will be included in the case plans of children receiving independent living skills preparation services.

The Department supports the promotion of abstinence.

Procedures

Sexual Development Education

Ensure children are provided comprehensive sexual development and sexuality education, emphasizing abstinence, through the child’s school, by a community agency, or by the child’s out-of-home caregiver.

Assist the caregiver in finding child development information appropriate for the children in their care. Some agencies with resources to provide children with appropriate medical, educational, and mental health services related to sexuality can be located by contacting DCS Comprehensive Health Plan (DCS CHP), Department of Health Services (DHS) - Women and Children’s Health, DHS Behavioral Health Services, Mercy Care Member Services, schools, and community organizations.

Assist the caregiver in recognizing the difference between normal sexual developmental issues and sexual developmental issues of children who have been sexually abused.

Ensure the caregiver of teens receiving independent living skills preparation services are aware of the tasks included in the child’s case plan that concern human sexuality, sexual development, and family planning emphasizing abstinence.

Family Planning

Decision Making

To determine whether involvement of the child’s parents in family planning decisions is appropriate, consider the following:

the whereabouts of the parents are known;
the parents are involved in the case;
the child does not oppose the involvement of the parents;
the parents are supportive of the child;
involvement of the parents does not endanger the child’s safety or welfare; and
the parents legal relationship with the child.

Implementation

Encourage the caregiver to participate in discussions on family planning, including abstinence, with children age 12 and over. In their role of caregiver, they should be involved in the provision of family planning information emphasizing abstinence to the children in their care. Caregivers are encouraged to seek community, public education, and health information programs available to all parents.

Caregivers are expected to participate with the DCS Specialist in the discussion of family planning information to foster children, ages 12 and older.

If a caregiver is opposed to the provision of family planning information to a child age 12 or older, the caregiver should inform their licensing specialist/agency and the DCS Specialist before they agree to become the caregiver to a child age 12 or over.

Ensure family planning information and services are provided by using the Providing Family Planning Service as a guide.

Provide, arrange or confirm that the child receives information on abstinence from the Department of Health Services, school based education programs, or other community resources.

Provide family planning information to all children in out-of-home care, ages 12 and older, within ten days of removal and annually thereafter. Review the services presented in Family Planning Services with the child and the caregiver during face-to-face contacts.

For a child age 12 or older requesting family planning services:

discuss with the child who the child wants to know about the request and who the child wants to participate in the child’s decision making on family planning services;
arrange an appointment with, or refer the child to, a Mercy Care DCS CHP health care provider; and
if needed, consult with the DCS CHP nurse to obtain a list of Mercy Care DCS CHP registered health care providers.

Assure that services are provided:

in a manner free from coercion or mental pressure and in a manner which assures continuity of care and confidentiality;
with reasonable promptness by a qualified health professional; and
by providers that inform the child about a variety of family planning methods to enable the child to make an informed decision.

Documentation

When a parent’s rights have not been terminated and the parent’s whereabouts are known, document a decision not to involve the parent in family planning decisions, and the reason for the decision using Notes.

Document the review of family planning services information using Notes.

Document the referral and arrangement for family planning services using Notes.