Indian River School District plans reproductive healthcare rollout at high schools

The Indian River School District is setting the stage for a comprehensive reproductive health care plan at wellness centers in Indian River and Sussex Central high schools, including sex education, std testing, contraceptive care, and substance abuse education.

The Indian River School District will work closely with the Beebe Medical Group in the coming months to develop a comprehensive reproductive health care plan for the wellness centers at Indian River and Sussex Central high schools, according to district officials.

“Without this program, the district risked losing federal funding for prescription medication benefits and other valuable health services offered by our wellness centers,” district officials stated. “Sussex County has the highest pregnancy rate among high school students in the State of Delaware.”

The rate exceeds the national average and research has shown that a strong reproductive health care plan that includes not only contraceptive services but also education on sexual health, abstinence, and sexually transmitted diseases can drastically reduce the rate of teen pregnancy, the district emphasized.

“Therefore, we are looking forward to working with Beebe to develop this plan and provide these valuable services to our students,” the district said. “It’s important to note that parents retain the right to opt their children out of these and all other services provided by our school-based wellness centers.”

The district will develop the plan over the course of the next several months.