Parent Information
We are so glad you’re here! We know you want the very best education for your child and that is what we aim to provide. We believe that healthy relationships are foundational to learning. Research indicates that social connection improves physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being.
Healthy relationships are essential for success in life, and therefore relationship education is a vital component for equipping teens to thrive. Our presentations help students better understand that the quality of their relationships impacts the quality of their life. Studies show that delaying sexual initiation positively impacts teenagers in virtually every area of life.
What is True Freedom?
True Freedom is an education program that focuses on relationships, sexual abuse prevention, and sexual risk avoidance. It was developed to help students understand how to set healthy boundaries in relationships in person and online, how to identify abuse, how the human body works, what real love is, and how STDs spread.
The program also focuses on relationship skill building. Students learn information on subjects such as how to distinguish healthy relationships from toxic ones, understand consent, and recognize self-worth. We believe that teens are capable of making healthy decisions when given the information to do so, such as delaying sexual initiation and treating others with respect. We encourage them to focus on the future while making decisions today.
What age is the True Freedom Program intended for?
The True Freedom program has a curriculum for each grade 5th through 12th. While the topics covered are very similar, we ensure each session is age-appropriate and the most relevant for the age group we are working with.
What requirements does the program meet?
The program uses the evidence-based Real Essentials curriculum from the Center for Relationship Education and incorporates the most up-to-date research on program topics.
The True Freedom program meets all the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s requirements for sex education and sexual abuse prevention required by statute for Missouri schools to fulfill for all students. The program also aligns with the Missouri Health Grade Level Expectations, Comprehensive School Counseling Program Grade Level Expectations and the Missouri Learning Standards National Health Education Standards. Our educator is certified in teaching this curriculum. For more information about the curriculum and the resources they provide, please visit their website.
The Focus of the Content
What topics can be covered?
The REAL Essentials curriculum covers a wide variety of topics, including:
- Bullying & Violence
- Committed love & Marriage
- Dating Decisions
- Drug & Alcohol Abuse
- Effective Communication
- Interpersonal & Social Skills
- Leadership & Job Readiness
- Navigating conflict
- Self-Identity
- Setting Boundaries
- Sexual Health
- Social Media Literacy
- Suicide Prevention
- Understanding Others’ Perspectives
All topics are appropriately tailored to the age group being spoken to.
What Defines a Healthy Relationship?
Characteristics of Healthy Relationships include:
- Mutual trust
- Connectedness to family and friends
- Individuality
- Skilled communication
- Humor and fun
- Ability to control anger
- Ability to resolve conflict
- Ability to problem solve
- Mutual respect autonomy and dependence
Characteristics of Unhealthy Relationships include:
- Control
- Hostility
- Contempt
- Defensiveness
- Dishonesty
- Disrespect
- Passive-aggressive behaviors
- Sarcasm
- Dependence
- Intimidation
- Threats
- Isolation from family and friends
- Physical violence
- Emotional manipulation
- Sexual violence
- Power plays
True Freedom Objectives
Short Term
- Increased awareness of the decision-making process and the risks and rewards that motivate healthy relationships
- Improved ability to be forward thinking and use future orientation to achieve desired dreams
- Enhanced skills for forming safe relationship connections that combat loneliness, isolation, and depression and enable a sense of belonging
Long Term
- Increased ability to create and sustain healthy relationships and support social connections
- Successful youth transition into adulthood demonstrated by graduation from high school with a comprehensive skillset
- Improved family functioning as demonstrated by family closeness and bonding while utilizing assignments from curriculum provided
