Health Dept. can develop sex ed!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Cincinnati Health Department can develop a model sex education curriculum

(Cincinnati) - This past weekend, Jason Haap, the Green Party’s candidate for Cincinnati School board, spoke to Dr. Marilyn Crumpton, the Cincinnati Heath Department’s director of school and adolescent health.  Dr. Crumpton confirmed the Health Department has the capacity to create a sex education curriculum based on “best-practices”—a term for approaches founded on scientifically-based research.

“CPS does not have a curriculum for sex ed,” explained Haap.  “I am concerned about this both from an educational perspective as well as from a public health perspective.  Our district should have comprehensive sex education for the higher grades, and it should be developed by public health professionals and not politically motivated abstinence-only advocates.”

Haap points to a program recently implemented in Sangamon County, Illinois.  This year, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health created a model curriculum for sex education, making its materials and resources available for free to area public schools. 

“Dr. Crumpton told me this would be within the scope and interest of the Cincinnati Health Department,” explained Haap.  “Rather than leaving the issue open to political debate,  the school board should adopt a model curriculum developed by local public health professionals.”

Haap is calling on board members to act now.  “There is no reason to wait for an election to address this important issue,” continued Haap.  “I am calling on current board members to partner with the Cincinnati Health Department in creating a best-practices sex ed curriculum for our public schools.”

“The will and ability exists in the health department,” concluded Haap.  “All we need now is leadership and action from the board.”