PROGRAMMING FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that parents, guardians, teachers, and school administrators may have many questions about LifeSmart Youth’s health and sex education programming, and we’re here to provide answers and dispel any fears or concerns.
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LifeSmart Youth is an Indiana nonprofit organization that provides medically accurate, age-appropriate prevention and health education programs for youth. Our mission is to foster successful lives by empowering youth to make responsible choices and adopt healthy behaviors.
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LifeSmart Youth offers several evidence-informed/evidence-informed programs designed to support youth health, safety, and well-being, including:
Human Growth & Development (HGD) – Puberty and reproductive health education for upper elementary students
Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs) – Healthy decision-making and sexual health education for middle and high school students
Safe Dates – Healthy relationships and teen dating violence prevention for middle and high school students.
Mental Health Essentials (MHE) – Mental health awareness, regulation, and help-seeking education
After-School Safety Matters (ASSM) - Personal safety and abuse prevention education that helps youth recognize unsafe situations, identify trusted adults, and build skills to stay safe in out-of-school environments.
Adult Programming - Educational workshops and trainings for parents/guardians, educators, youth-serving professionals, and community organizations focused on youth development, mental health, safety, communication, and current youth health trends.
Programs are tailored to be age-appropriate and aligned with educational standards.
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Programs are taught by trained Health Educators who specialize in youth health education and classroom engagement. Our educators provide instruction in a professional, respectful, and age-appropriate manner.
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Yes. LifeSmart Youth programs use medically accurate, evidence-based/evidence-informed curricula aligned with national education standards and Indiana requirements. LSY partners with IU and has a physician review our medical terms every three years to determine accuracy.
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LifeSmart Youth serves students in grades K–12 through school-based and community programming.
Program offerings vary by grade level:
ASSM: typically, K-8
HGD: typically grades 4–6
3Rs: middle and high school
Safe Dates: middle and high school
Mental Health Essentials: high school
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Yes. LifeSmart Youth follows Indiana law by emphasizing abstinence as the safest and most effective way for school-age youth to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Our abstinence-first approach encourages students to delay sexual activity while also providing medically accurate information and teaching healthy decision-making skills.
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Yes. In age-appropriate programs where permitted, students receive medically accurate information about pregnancy prevention, STI prevention, and healthy decision-making as required by curriculum standards and school partnerships. The earliest we introduce this topic is sixth grade.
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No. LifeSmart Youth does not teach students “how to have sex.” We provide a medically approved definition of sexual intercourse and explain the term in the context of reproduction and within a healthy, committed adult relationship.
Our programs focus on:
Healthy decision-making
Abstinence education
Puberty and human development
Healthy relationships and consent
Communication and refusal skills
Pregnancy and STI prevention
Mental health and personal safety
All instruction is age-appropriate, medically accurate, and aligned with Indiana law and educational standards.
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No. LifeSmart Youth’s curriculum is not centered on LGBTQ topics. The programs focus on medically accurate health education, puberty, healthy relationships, consent, STI and pregnancy prevention, safety, and mental health.
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Absolutely. LifeSmart Youth believes parents/guardians are important partners in education. Schools and families have access to curriculum materials, safe adult resources, and program information in accordance with Indiana requirements and Senate Bill 442.
LifeSmart Youth also hosts monthly Virtual Safe Adult Information Nights where parents and guardians can ask questions, review curriculum materials, and learn more about what is being taught in classrooms.
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Yes. Participation and opt-out procedures are determined by each school district in accordance with Indiana law and district policy.
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Yes. LifeSmart Youth programs comply with Indiana education requirements and align with applicable national and state health education standards.
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Program length varies depending on the curriculum and school schedule. Examples include:
Single-day Human Growth & Development lessons
Multi-session 3Rs, Safe Dates, and Mental Health Essentials lessons
Modified program formats for Summer or Community-based Sites
LifeSmart Youth works directly with schools and community partners to meet scheduling needs.
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Yes. LifeSmart Youth understands that schools and community organizations may have unique needs, goals, or populations they serve. We are happy to work with partners to explore specialized programming opportunities when possible.
Customized programming may include:
Modified program schedules or formats
Summer or after-school programming
Mental health-focused sessions
Healthy relationships and safety education
Parent or guardian engagement opportunities
Professional development for youth-serving professionals
Community-based workshops or presentations
All specialized programming remains aligned with LifeSmart Youth’s mission, educational standards, and Indiana requirements.
Organizations interested in customized programming are encouraged to contact us to discuss partnership opportunities and community needs.
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Schools, youth-serving organizations, churches, and community groups interested in partnering with LifeSmart Youth can contact us through our website.