It is important to have a well-thought-out plan regarding how you will introduce your Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) program to potential school partners. Knowing who to contact and what they need to know about you, your organization, and the SRAE program you wish to offer will increase your chances of successfully opening doors and establishing lasting partnerships.

Note: This information can be easily adapted to developing community partnerships as well.

Make contact

  • Contact teachers at various schools in the community who teach subjects related to SRA, such as Health, Family and Consumer Science, etc.
  • Make contact well in advance of the desired implementation start date.
  • Make communication positive and personable. If using email, use an optimistic and attention-grabbing subject line.
  • Work to solidify teacher buy-in.
  • Ask teacher to identify any other necessary decision-makers regarding program implementation.
  • Offer references.
  • Solicit parent advocacy.
  • Be persistent and use various approaches to make contact (e.g., phone call, in-person visit, etc.). Keep your tone positive and respectful.

Introduce your program

  • Provide a clear and concise introduction of yourself, including your title.
  • Share a brief explanation of the mission and vision of your organization.
  • Explain the primary prevention, public health approach of SRAE.
  • Offer community-specific statistics and facts regarding youth risk behaviors.
  • Outline any state educational standards the proposed curriculum can meet.
  • Share any costs associated with program delivery, if applicable.
  • Highlight the optimal health benefits promoted by the SRAE program.

If your program is declined

  • Be persistent and creative:
    • Invite the teacher to observe the program at another school (with permission)
    • Invite the teacher to watch a video of your presentation (if available)
    • Offer to provide the full program to one class as a sample, etc.
  • Provide a reminder regarding any requirements for state standards to be met, and express that your organization would be delighted to aid them in covering this sensitive topic.
  • Investigate the possibility of implementing the program in another class within the school with a different teacher who may be interested.
  • Explore after school programs or other community groups in which to implement the program.

RELATED RESOURCES:
Tip Sheet: Important Facts About SRAE
Tip Sheet: Cost Considerations of Implementing an SRAE Program

More Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Implementation Tip Sheets:
Tip Sheet: How to Implement Effective Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Programming
Tip Sheet: Important Facts About SRAE
Tip Sheet: Creating a Healthy Organizational Culture to Support Your SRAE Program
Tip Sheet: Considerations for Implementing an SRAE Program at the Local Level
Tip Sheet: Cost Considerations of Implementing an SRAE Program
Tip Sheet: Choosing an SRAE Curriculum
Tip Sheet: Sample Job Descriptions for SRAE Administrators and Presenters
Tip Sheet: How to Interview Candidates for the SRAE Presenter Role
Tip Sheet: Qualities of a Successful SRAE Presenter
Tip Sheet: Finding Effective SRAE Presenters
Tip Sheet: Training and Retaining SRAE Presenters
Tip Sheet: Enhancing Your Relationship with the SRAE Program Host

By Ascend under contract with Public Strategies. (2021) [SRAE Quick Tip Guide] Public Strategies, Oklahoma City, OK.