Testimonials
"This is possibly the best training I think I have attended in the last 37 years!!!!!!!!" - Tier 1 Participant in 2022
"Watching the people I support increase their happiness and satisfaction with their lives is the most valuable thing I gained. I have seen the difference our work has made already." - Tier 2 Participant in 2022
"The unit on Trauma and how it affects decision making toward sexuality was eye opening. I thought I had a good understanding of it, but you had me looking at it in another way and I really appreciated that." - Tier 1 Participant in 2022
"Listening to the cohorts' amazing ideas and advocacy work is inspiring." - Tier 2 Participant in 2022
"I love the openness, the reminders that sex is different for everyone and the piece on trauma informed care was beautiful and executed with dignity." - Tier 3
"So grateful you created this space so we can spread out this sex-positivity and get rid of environments of shame." - Tier 1 Participant in 2023
"I loved hearing about facilitation tips. I have been presenting for 20 years, and I still learned new things! I love this group! Mel is a great addition. Thank you so much Shanya. You are a rock star!" - Tier 3 Participant in 2022
"Learning to think about sexual health as being an essential part of each person I supports life and thinking about how the lack of relationships and intimacy contributes to challenging behaviors and a lower quality of life was eye-opening." - Tier 2 Participant in 2022 Participant in 2022
Introduction to Our Certification Program
The Sexual Self-Determination Training Program is designed to empower parents and professionals to respond to issues of sexual health and development in positive, proactive and person-centered ways, and to promote healthy sexuality and relationships for all people with intellectual and developmental diversity (disabilities).
Participants gain knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to increase their comfort, understanding, and ability to address important social-sexual issues. Some common examples include: Masturbation, Consent and Boundaries, Internet Use, and Navigating Relationships.
Need Continuing Education Credits? All three tiers of this program have been approved for continuing education credits in multiple states. And we can work with you to get it approved if your state is not yet on our list! For more details, contact mel@among-friends.org.
How This Program Started
Professionals, caregivers, and families told us they need professional training to better support sexual health and healthy relationships for people who experience intellectual and developmental diversity (disabilities), also known as ID/DD. To meet this critical community need Among Friends, The Arc of Oregon / OTAC, and the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at OHSU partnered together to design this formal, three-tiered Sexual Self-determination certification program - each organization bringing different areas of specialty to the project.
You can look back at our Program History!
The Program Goals
The objective of this program is to build capacity for communities to respond to issues of sexual health and development in positive, proactive and person-centered ways, and to promote healthy sexuality and relationships for people with disabilities.
The certification program provides participants with opportunities to:
- Learn about the basics of sexual health and development
- Communicate with ease and professionalism about sexuality
- Encourage healthy sexual expressions
- Feel confident when supporting people who are engaging in challenging sexual behaviors
- Provide specialized support for sexual health and healthy relationships to people with intellectual and/or developmental diversity (disabilities)
You can also take a look at our Program Outcomes and Data to see how we've done!
Program Dates
For all upcoming dates, please refer to the page for each tier below:
Tier 1: FOUNDATIONS
Tier 2: ADVOCACY
Tier 3: TRAIN-THE-TRAINER
Sharing Information and Building A Community!
We have created some special offerings only available to the participants of our certification program!
♥ Not-So-Naughty Bits Newsletter ♥
All participants of the Sexual Self-Determination Program receive an extra special newsletter from us!
We created a unique monthly newsletter just for participants of the program and we cheekily named it the Not-So-Naughty Bits! (because we want to do our part to end the shame and repression of our basic human needs) This is where we'll share ideas, program updates, resources, stories, fun photos, interviews, and much, much more!
Ultimately, our deeper goal is to build a community of parents and professionals dedicated to supporting each other and to the work of promoting and advocating for Healthy Sexual Development - especially for people who experience ID/DD.
If you have participated in any tier of the program and you are not receiving your copy, be sure to check your spam folder (and be sure to mark us as a safe sender!). If you still don't have it, contact mel@among-friends.org to be sure we have your current and correct email and contact info!
♥ First Friday Roundtable ♥
Participants of the Sexual Self-Determination Training and Certification Program also have access to a special opportunity. We host a First Friday Roundtable exclusively for them!!!
When? First Friday of Every Month
Time? 1:00pm - 2:30pm PT
Where? Online via Zoom
During the roundtable, current and former participants of the Sexual Self-Determination Certification Program meet to share ideas, network, and talk about different topics that will help each other in this work.
The roundtable is also a great place to get support with any issues you may be dealing with in the area of sexual self-determination for the people you support!!!
If you have participated in any tier of the program and want to present or lead a breakout room, email us at: trainings@among-friends.org
And if you are not receiving the invitations/reminders to the roundtable, check your spam folder (and be sure to mark us as a safe sender!). If you're still not receiving them, contact mel@among-friends.org to be sure we have your current and correct email and contact info!
