Advocating consent, confidence, and education for special students (access): equipping youth with disabilities in american samoa to make safe, healthy life choices

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Intersections, Inc. $287,112 on September 30, 2025, under the Title V Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program (CFDA 93.787) to continue delivery of the ACCESS (Advocating Consent, Confidence, and Education for Special Students) project in American Samoa.

During the performance period through September 29, 2027, Intersections, Inc. will deliver medically accurate, age-appropriate sexual risk avoidance education to youth ages 11–19 with disabilities within American Samoa's public school system using the evidence-informed Sexuality for All Abilities curriculum. Trained Department of Education educators will conduct interactive lessons utilizing visual supports, role-play, and scenario-based activities to strengthen decision-making and self-protection skills. Caregiver education sessions will reinforce program concepts and support learning outside the classroom.

Intersections, Inc. will execute the work in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Education and the American Samoa Department of Health's Adolescent Health Program. Program evaluation will measure participant progress through pre- and post-assessments, role-play demonstrations, and caregiver feedback, targeting at least 80 percent of participants identifying signs of safe versus unsafe interactions and 75 percent demonstrating ability to recognize, resist, and report coercion. Ongoing fidelity monitoring, participant feedback, and quarterly performance reviews will support continuous quality improvement.