About the Program

Teen Health 360

The Teen Health 360 Program, housed at EVMS' Pediatrics Department, is currently funded by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The program aims to engage school-age youth (6th through 12th grades), parents, guardians, and other community stakeholders in medically accurate, age-appropriate and evidence-based Family Life Education and Comprehensive Sex Education to empower youth to make informed decisions about their relationships, health, and well-being.

The Curriculum

Teen Health 360 has adopted the Get Real: Comprehensive Sex Education That Works (Get Real) curriculum developed by Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) in 2008 and was endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Get Real has been widely implemented in 44 states and Washington, D.C.

The evidence-based curriculum equips middle and high school students with the knowledge and support to make decisions about their bodies, relationships and friendships. Get Real focuses on social and emotional learning skills and engages parents and caregivers as the primary sexual health educators through family activities to guide their youth on values about sex and sexuality. By building in time for practicing and assessing these skills, students are given the foundation to make responsible decisions, as well as to build and maintain healthy relationships in all aspects of their lives.

Family Involvement

• Teen Health 360 and Get Real support parents and other caring adults as the primary sexuality educators of their children.
• Family activities are included in the curriculum to start the conversation between students and caring adults.
• Get Real for Parents allows parents and other caring adults access to family activities, letters, resource referrals, FAQs, and more.
• Parents and caregivers will have the option to decide on their child’s participation.

Training

Students

Virtual and On-site lessons are delivered by certified health educators to school-age youth who are interested in learning about family life education and comprehensive sex education during week days at various locations, in collaboration with local program partners. Students that complete the program will be awarded a certificate of completion and an incentive.

Program Description

• Middle School Program (9 lessons)
• High School Program (11 lessons)
• Virtual or In-Person Sessions
• 45 minute lessons
• Certificate of completion
• Incentive for participation
• An opportunity to volunteer in the Get Real peer program

Please refer to the Teen Health 360 Academy for more details. 

Educators

Since August 2020, a total of 150 health educators have been trained to deliver the Get Real curriculum under the Teen Health 360 program in schools and communities across Hampton Roads (updated March, 2025). If you are interested in becoming a health educator please contact the Teen Health 360 Team for training opportunities.

Star Health Educators

Danielle Long is a graduating medical student at EVMS and an incoming Obstetrics and Gynecology resident at the University of Virginia. She chose obstetrics and gynecology in part due to her love of teaching comprehensive sexual education, and her experience working with adolescents through TeenHealth360. Her favorite part of TeenHealth360 is seeing the student growth throughout the course and being able to answer students' questions in a safe and welcoming environment.

Gwen George is a fourth year medical student at EVMS and has been a Teen Health 360 educator for almost 3 years! She became a Teen Health 360 educator because she wishes she had a program like this when she was first learning about healthy relationships. Her favorite part about teaching is watching the growth in participants from their introduction to getting their certificate. Gwen plans to go into pediatrics and when she’s not busy with school, she’s snuggling with her cats, Star and Tabbi, or exploring new places in Hampton Roads with friends!

Sonia Deshmukh is an intern for the Medical Spanish Initiative, a part of the Community Engaged Learning Department at Eastern Virginia Medical School. She has worked as a TeenHealth 360 educator since Spring 2024 helping with lessons at the middle and high school levels. She started working with TeenHealth 360 in the hopes of helping teens feel more empowered and comfortable in their early relationships! Sonia plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, making art, and spending time with her family (which includes her cat, Safi!).

Madison Butler is a graduate of ODU (Class of 2023) with a B.S. in Health Service Administration. She has worked for CHKD for four years and truly enjoys being interactive with youth of all ages. Madison is also a volunteer EMT who has worked in healthcare for many years. She says "Being a Teen Health 360 Educator since 2022 has been amazing - I have loved seeing how much growth comes from honest and trusting relationships between adults and adolescents! Investing in the next generation is everything."