Facilitated by SexEdVA at JMU, the Disability-inclusive Sexual Health Network (DSHN) began in the fall of 2020 and aimed to advance sexual health education for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This network connected multiple stakeholders across Virginia, including 11 community-based organizations who we call our innovative partners. These partners focused on developing and testing their own unique projects to address gaps in sexual health education for youth with disabilities. The SexEdVA team also included a Youth Advisory Board, comprised of passionate youth providing consultation and feedback for the network and projects developed by our innovative partners. Projects developed include online classes and learning resources for youth as well as workshops, supports, and resources for caregivers and professionals.

To check out resources created by SexEdVA and network partners, visit our Resources and Videos pages. To learn more about our partners and their projects, see our interventions list below.

By connecting organizations and practicing consistent communication and collaboration, our network increased and diversified resources and supports available to the disability community. While SexEdVA no longer actively facilitates this network, partners remain connected and many continue to offer the unique programs they developed. If your organization is seeking information and resources, please email sexedva@jmu.edu.

DSHN was funded by the Office of Population Affairs’ TPP Innovation and Impact Networks (TPP20 Tier 2) grant.