Improving Access to Services for Youth under the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund

From this Fund, Health Canada is providing more than $2.8 million for two projects, led by the Centre for Sexuality, and the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN).

August 2022

Budget 2021 committed $45 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to improve access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care support, information and services for people in Canada who face the greatest barriers to access. Health Canada’s SRH Fund was created to support a wide range of evidence-informed and innovative projects for people in Canada who are at increased risk for poorer SRH outcomes, including Indigenous and racialized people, members of LGBTQ2 communities, persons with disabilities, women and youth.

From this Fund, Health Canada is providing more than $2.8 million for two projects, led by the Centre for Sexuality, and the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN).

Increasing Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information, Resources, and Care for Underserved Populations
Centre for Sexuality, Calgary, AB
Funding: $2,033,062 until March 2024

This project will adapt their existing, in-person program, the Relationship and Sexual Health Education program, to include an online component as well as content related to the particular sexual and reproductive health needs of First Nations youth and youth with developmental disabilities. This project will also develop and provide training resources and materials to present and future health care providers, aiming to better meet the needs of underserved populations, including LGBTQ2 youth, First Nations youth and their communities, and persons with developmental disabilities. As well, in partnership with two First Nations communities in Treaty 7 territory, this project will incorporate First Nations traditions, ways of knowing, and community needs.

Enhancing Effective Sexual Health Promotion for Autistic and Disabled Youth
SIECCAN, Toronto, ON
Funding: $805,916 until March 2024

This project will develop two toolkits aimed at improving sexual and reproductive health promotion for persons with disabilities. One toolkit will focus on Autistic youth, and the other on disabled youth. Each toolkit will include a policy document focused on key health promotion concepts, a health service provider training guide, and educational materials for use by youth with disabilities, their families and supporters.