The goal of the Information & Education (I&E) Program is to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health and well-being with a particular focus on promoting healthy relationships, as well as decreasing adolescent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The program provides funding to local agencies serving youth with higher needs in a variety of settings across California. I&E agencies provide comprehensive sexual health education, information about eligibility and access to federal, state, and local clinical services, life-skills instruction in areas such as communication with partners and trusted adults, and negotiation skills. Agencies also engage parents, caring adults and community stakeholders to promote adolescent health and well-being.

This brief presents program attendance data (January-June 2017) for 2,877 youth and survey data (March-June 2017) from 2,131 youth surveyed at program entry and 1,911 youth surveyed at program exit.

Where We Serve

In 2017, there were 14 I&E agencies that served youth in nine counties (Figure 1). Half of participants were served in traditional high schools, 17% in alternative/continuation schools, 19% in middle schools and smaller proportions in other settings (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Countie​s served by I&E Agencies​

• Reside or attend school in a high-need community

• Attend an alternative or continuation school

• Did not complete middle or high school

• Are experiencing homelessness or have run away from home

• Are emancipated or in foster care

• Are in a juvenile justice facility

• Reside in a farmworker household

• Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and/or Queer

• Are in a gang or are an ex-gang member

• Have special needs