Institutes for Community/Sexual Health Educators (ICHEs)

Institutes for Community/Sexual Health Educators (ICHEs, pronounced "itches") are designed to increase knowledge and build skills needed to deliver comprehensive, culturally proficient, medically accurate sexuality education. ICHEs provide residential, intensive, skill-based training for sexuality, STD/HIV, and family planning educators working in schools or community-based organizations. Initiated in 1987 by Joan Helmich of the Center for Health Training, ICHEs now take place in many regions of the US, such as the Northwest ICHE (NICHE), the SouthWest ICHE (SWICHE), and the Western Region ICHE (WRITCHE).

ICHEs are led by a set of Core Staff proficient in sexuality education, STD/HIV prevention, behavioral and learning research, adult learning principles, youth development, community outreach, best practices and teaching methodologies. A unique feature of the ICHE is the Practice, Observation and Support (POS or OS) groups. POS/OS groups of 4-7 participants meet throughout the institute. In these groups, each member prepares and delivers a short presentation, and peers provide feedback on presentation and facilitation skills. POS/OS groups also offer participants opportunities to discuss session topics and deepen their professional development. ICHE topics routinely include HIV/STDs, puberty, contraception, abstinence, safer sex, abuse/coercion prevention, decision-making, communication, and self-esteem.

Throughout the ICHE, staff and participants have opportunities to:

• Discuss definitions of human sexuality
• Describe the core principles of effective, comprehensive sexuality education
• Identify key elements and strategies to foster a safe learning environment
• Discuss the professional ethics of sexuality education
• Identify values, attitudes, beliefs, and feelings that may influence teaching
• Analyze and practice effective, interactive teaching methods for changing risk factors and enhancing protective factors
• Practice giving and receiving concrete and useful professional feedback
• Learn how to design and deliver teaching based on sound learning theory, using a variety of teaching methodologies, to increase one’s ability to reach individuals with diverse learning styles
• Assess lessons for appropriateness to culture, developmental age, gender, sexual experience, and sexual orientation
• Increase ability to identify and answer challenging sexuality questions in the classroom and challenging situations in the community
• Apply best practices for assessing the needs and special characteristics of their own learners, including effective community outreach
• Identify resources for accessing reliable and accurate sexuality information and collegial support
• Describe strategies for surviving and thriving through on-going professional development

Who should attend?

• Community health/sexuality educators and outreach workers new to the field of sexuality and reproductive health.
• Youth development specialists who want to integrate sexuality issues into their work.
• Experienced community health/sexuality educators who want to connect and grow with other professionals in this exciting field of work.
• Sexuality education directors and managers who work with communities and community educators.
• Classroom teachers, nurses, social workers and educators in sexuality, family life and health, STD/HIV prevention and family planning education

What participants say about ICHEs

“[The ICHE] introduced me to facets of sexual health education that I had never before considered. Human sexual development and health education are enormously complex, requiring sensitivity to a myriad of issues. [The ICHE] made me a more compassionate and effective educator. Everyone should have the chance to participate AT LEAST once in their career, more if possible.”

“This was one of the most useful trainings I have ever been to! I returned to my workplace feeling better prepared and more confident in my skills around sexuality education.”

“My POS group gave me confidence that I could present to others!”

“ This has been one of the top three seminars I've been to in my long career. The incredible thing I have noticed is that while I came here to help myself feel more knowledgeable, skilled, and able to teach about sexuality, there are many activities that are about communication and being assertive which are skills necessary to being successful in life. These things are so important to my students! I feel I have been helped in all the critical skills I teach daily. Thank you!”

“Everything I expected and so much more! I don't think I'll ever be the same!”

How can I find out more about the next ICHEs?

Southwest Institute for Community Health Educators (SWICHE)

Hosted by Center for Health Training - Austin, TX

May 17-21, 2010

For more information, contact Hector J. Campos,
hcampos@jba-cht.com, 512.474.2166

Western Region Institute for Teachers and Community Health Educators (WRITCHE)

Hosted by Center for Health Training - Oakland, CA

July 12-16, 2010

For more information, contact Beatriz Reyes,
reyes@jba-cht.com, 510.835.3700

Northwest Institute for Community Health Educators and Teachers (NICHE)

Hosted by Center for Health Training - Seattle, WA

July 24-29, 2011 in North Bend, WA

For more information, contact Kirsten Harris-Talley,
kirstenh@jba-cht.com, 206.447.9538

North Atlantic Training Institute for Sexual Health Educators (NATISHE)

Hosted by Cicatelli Associates Inc.

www.cicatelli.org

212.594.7741

Great Lakes Institute for Community Health Educators (GLICHE)

Hosted by Health Care Education and Training

www.hcet.org

608.274.5455

Training Institute for Sexual Health Educators (TISHE)

Hosted by Answer at Rutgers University

August 8th-13th, 2010

http://answer.rutgers.edu/page/tishe/