First Monday Memo

April 6, 2026

Greetings!

Spring is here and we’re hitting the ground running at EyesOpenIowa.

This season is full in the best way. We’re expanding partnerships with clinics to share the Plan A pregnancy and STI prevention video with young people, and we’re rolling out a lineup of engaging workshops for parents, teens, and educators designed to strengthen connection, communication, and real-world skills.

There's a new video available to meet Iowa's fetal development video requirement as well as support for districts to implement this portion of the Human Growth and Development mandate. We are here to provide support if you need it.

We’ve also been working on something new and we’re pretty excited about it. Our new game, Growing Sideways, is nearly ready to go, and we can’t wait for you to bring it into your homes, classrooms, and conversations. It’s fun, practical, and built to spark the kinds of discussions that actually stick. Tested by real families who's feedback we've incorporated into the final product. We could still use a few more families to play and give feedback (see details below).

Take a look at what’s coming up, jump into the opportunities that fit your world, and don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you—and the teens in your life—every step of the way.

Support for the Fetal Development Video Requirement (SF175)

As schools across Iowa work to comply with the new fetal development video requirement (SF175), EyesOpenIowa is here to help. We consulted with Iowa OB/GYN doctors and national partners and recommend two scientifically accurate, classroom-appropriate options that meet the law’s requirements: National Geographic’s Pregnancy 101 and Britannica’s How an Embryo Develops into a Fetus.

New videos are now available from Health Care Educatin & Training that comply with Iowa Law - View Videos here

Additional guidance and resources are available on our website and EOI staff are available to provide technical assistance and answer questions as you plan.

Bring

Plan A

to Your Clinic

Looking for a simple, effective way to support young patients before or during their visit?

Plan A is a 23-minute, clinic-based video experience designed to help young people (ages 16–24) feel more informed, confident, and prepared when accessing reproductive healthcare.

It covers topics like birth control, condoms, and STI testing in a way that’s clear, approachable, and easy to engage with.

This is a low-lift, high-impact opportunity for clinics across Iowa.

✔ We provide all materials (QR codes, instructions, and support)

✔ Easy to implement during existing visits

✔ Patients receive a $20 gift card incentive for participation

✔ Clinics also receive a financial incentive for partnering

Getting started is simple:

👉 Reach out to us at info@eyesopeniowa.org

We’ll schedule a quick call to make sure your clinic is a good fit, then we’ll send everything you need to get up and running. We make it easy for you! No complicated setup, just a straightforward way to enhance patient education and experience.

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs.

Coming Soon:

A New Way for Families to Start Real Conversations

Growing Sideways Is Almost Here!

After months of development and input from dozens of families, Growing Sideways is entering its final stage.

This conversational card game was designed to help youth and trusted adults talk about real-life topics in a way that feels natural, engaging, and meaningful.

Built with real feedback, real experiences, and real conversations, this game reflects what families actually need and want. As we complete the final stages of incorporating participant feedback, we’re excited to share that the full 250-card game will be available for families to purchase on our website soon!

Be the First to Know

Get Early Access Updates

If you’d like to be the first to know when the game is released, join our early access list

Final Chance to Participate!

At the same time, we’re wrapping up our final round of family testing & we have a few select spots remaining.

This is Your Chance to:

• Experience the game before release

• Help shape the final version

• Contribute to stronger communication within families

What to Expect

• Play at home for about 60 minutes

• Complete one short feedback survey

• Receive a $50 digital gift card/family

Apply to Test the Game

We’ll be closing this phase soon as we prepare for final production.

Teen & Parent Sessions

Stronger conversations. Less awkwardness. Earn $100 or more per family.

Join our Linking Families and Teens (LiFT) experience: a retreat-style program designed for teens and their trusted adults to connect, communicate better, and feel more confident talking about real-life topics.

What is LiFT?

LiFT is a fun, interactive experience where teens and their trusted adults:

Build stronger connections
Boost confidence
Learn how to navigate important conversations (including relationships, values, and sexual health)

Through games, guided conversations, and hands-on activities, families leave with practical tools they can actually use. All in judgment-free space that is safe and welcoming for all.

Is your family eligible?

For this program, a “family” has at least one teen (ages 13–19) and at least one parent/caregiver or trusted adult in attendance. Participants are welcome to have more than one teen and/or more than one adult sign up, but each family must include at least one of each.

Virtual LiFT (Attend from Home!)

📅 Dates: Tuesday April 14 & Thursday April 16, 2026

⏰ Time: 6:00–8:30 PM CT (2.5 hours each night, attendance both nights is required)

💻 Format: Live, interactive virtual sessions via Zoom

💲 Cost: FREE

🎁 Each participant receives a $50 VISA gift card ($100+ per family) for attending!

This virtual option divides the fun, engaging experience of LiFT into two manageable evening sessions you can join from home. Participate in an experience that feels low-pressure, supportive, and actually doable for busy families.

What you’ll need:

• One device (laptop, tablet, etc.) with internet access per family member

• A private or semi-private space for each family member during certain activities

In-Person LiFT – West Des Moines

📅 Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT

📍 Location: EyesOpenIowa - West Des Moines

💲 Cost: FREE

🎁 Each participant receives a $50 VISA gift card + lunch and snacks are provided!

⛽️ Gas stipend available for families traveling more than 30 miles.

In-Person LiFT – Sioux City

📅 Date: April 18, 2026

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT

📍 Location: Girls Inc. (Sioux City)

💲 Cost: FREE

🎁 Each participant receives a $50 VISA gift card + lunch and snacks are provided!

🎉 Want to host your own LiFT workshop?

Bring this experience directly to your community!

Groups or organizations that host LiFT receive financial incentives, and participating families receive gift cards, meals, and a high-quality experience at no cost to them.

✔ We can travel anywhere in Iowa or host your event virtually

✔ Your participants receive Visa gift cards per person for attending.

✔ Meals and snacks are provided for in-person events

✔ We handle facilitation and logistics, you bring the families

It’s a win-win for your organization and your community!

👉 Interested in hosting? Contact us at info@eyesopeniowa.org to learn more and reserve a date while we will have availability!

Spring 2026 Training Calendar

Spring is packed with opportunities to build skills, connect with colleagues, and strengthen the way we show up for young people. From now through June, we’re offering three FREE virtual training opportunities every month, all before our full-day, in-person June trainings. That’s three free, half-hour sessions each month to build your skills, confidence, and toolkit: no cost, no travel, and easy to fit into your schedule.

🌟 June Spotlight: Two Full-Day, In-Person Experiences

Held at the EyesOpenIowa office in West Des Moines, Iowa from 9:00AM-4:00PM each day.

Monday, June 29 – Awkward to Awesome: Core Skills ($200)

Tuesday, June 30 – Sex Ed Staples: Core Content ($200)

These are interactive, energizing, day-long professional development experiences. Throughout the day you’ll move between large-group discussions, partner work, reflection activities, real-life scenario practice, and hands-on facilitation skill-building.

You’ll laugh. You’ll practice. You’ll build confidence in real time.

In Awkward to Awesome, you'll strengthen your ability to:

• Respond confidently to sensitive questions

• Set professional boundaries

• Transform uncomfortable classroom moments into teaching opportunities

In Sex Ed Staples, you'll:

• Build confidence teaching core sexual health content like anatomy, consent, contraception, and medically accurate terminology

• Deepen your understanding of how key topics connect: from puberty and pregnancy prevention to healthy relationships and decision-making

• Strengthen your ability to deliver accurate, age-appropriate information clearly and confidently

These two trainings fulfill core requirements for the Certified Sexual Health Educator (CSHE) designation and are designed to be taken together for a comprehensive experience. Participants consistently leave feeling more grounded, prepared, and re-energized about this work.

🍽️ Lunch-N-Learn Series

FREE | Virtual | 30 Minutes | Two Time Options Each Month(12 PM & 6 PM CT)

💡 Perfect for busy professionals: quick, practical, and immediately applicable.

April 7 — Teaching with Trauma in Mind

Explore how trauma, past or ongoing, shapes the classroom experience. This session offers practical, strengths-based strategies for trauma-informed teaching, including how to balance student safety with curriculum fidelity.

May 12 — Empowering Parents as Primary Sex Educators

May is Sex Ed for All Month, and we believe sex education belongs in schools and at home. Learn how educators can support and empower caregivers as they guide young people through body changes, consent, relationships, and more.

June 2 — Sex Ed as Social Justice

Sexual health education is a tool for equity. Learn how to incorporate a justice lens into your work and promote liberation, not just information.

👪 Sex Ed Starts at Home: Parent/Caregiver Series

FREE | Virtual | 30 Minutes | 12:00–12:30 PM CT

💬 Designed to give caregivers real language, tools, and confidence — in just 30 minutes.

April 16 — Resource Rundown: Some of Our Favorite Tools for Parents

We’ve tried them all so you don’t have to! Explore trusted books, websites, tools, and resources that make conversations about sex and relationships easier and more approachable at home.

May 21 — Fostering a Space for Conversations Around Sexual Health

Not sure how to even start the conversation? Learn how to create a family environment where questions about bodies, relationships, and sex are always welcome.

June 18 — Summertime Sadness: Mental Health Tips for Children and Teens

Long summer days can bring mental health challenges to the surface. Learn how to recognize signs of stress, anxiety, and depression in youth, and how to support their emotional wellbeing.

💡 Curriculum Trainings (Waitlist Open)

We offer training in some of the most widely used and trusted sex ed curricula: Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs), Draw the Line/Respect the Line (DTL/RTL), and FLASH.

Trainings are scheduled based on demand. Join the waitlist or request a custom session for your group by emailing info@eyesopeniowa.org

Questions about which training is right for you or your team? Email info@eyesopeniowa.org to schedule a discovery conversation with one of our trainers.