First Monday Memo

May 4, 2026

Greetings!

Spring is moving quickly, and so is the work.

At EyesOpenIowa, we’re continuing to show up where it matters most—supporting educators, strengthening family connections, and making sure young people have access to accurate, real-world information.

In this issue, we’re celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week and recognizing the educators—especially those teaching health—who continue to show up for students, even when the environment around them isn’t easy. Their impact is lasting, and it deserves to be acknowledged.

We’re also excited to share upcoming LIFT sessions happening in May and June—creating space for parents, caregivers, and teens to connect in meaningful ways. If you’ve been thinking about bringing something like this to your community, we’d love to partner with you. Stipends are available to help co-host.

And as always, we’re here to help schools navigate new requirements, including support around the fetal development video law (check out the new video), with medically accurate, practical resources that work in real classrooms.

There’s a lot happening and a lot of opportunity to stay connected, supported, and engaged in this work.

Let’s keep going. Happy Sex Ed for All month!

May Is #SexEdForAll Month!

Join Us in Fighting for the Sex Education All Young People Need and Deserve

In 2026, the fight for sex education is more urgent than ever. Join us as we celebrate May as Sex Ed for All Month and voice our commitment to a world where all young people—no matter who they are or where they live—get the sex education they deserve.

Sex education is under attack by well-funded, organized groups that seek to strip young people of their right to knowledge and bodily autonomy. And schools are at the center of political battles over education, truth, and democracy. Misinformation and fear-mongering are being used to limit young people’s ability to learn about their own health, identity, and rights—topics that parents overwhelmingly support being taught in schools.

Sex Ed for All Month—an annual campaign coordinated by the Sex Education Collaborative, which includes EyesOpenIowa (a founding member)—is a national call to action to ensure all young people have access to sex education that is comprehensive, medically accurate, and inclusive. In 2026, this is about more than just sex education. Sex Ed for All Month is about fighting back against attacks on truth and standing up for young people.

Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4–8, 2026

This week, we celebrate the educators who show up every day to support, guide, and advocate for young people—often in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.

At EyesOpenIowa, we want to give special recognition to those teaching health education. You are helping young people understand their bodies, navigate relationships, and build the skills to make informed decisions—both now and for the rest of their lives. That’s not small work. That’s life-shaping work.

We also know the current climate hasn’t made your job easy. And yet, you continue to show up, stay the course, and ensure young people receive the education they deserve. That commitment matters more than ever.

To all educators: thank you. We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re grateful for the impact you make every single day.

This week, take a moment to thank an educator in your life. A quick note, a message, or a simple “I appreciate you” goes a long way. If you have had one that made an impact on your life - tell us about them via email or on our Facebook page.

We’re Hiring: Program Manager

EyesOpenIowa is looking for a Program Manager to lead programs that support youth and families across Iowa. This role is perfect for someone who is organized, relationship-driven, and ready to take ownership of meaningful, community-based work.

You’ll help lead program implementation, build partnerships statewide, and support youth leadership through our Youth Advisory Cohort.

👉 Learn more and apply here

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Please share!

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 three 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 Education & 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.

Growing Sideways Is Almost Here

Real conversations. Real connection. Launching soon.

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

Designed to help youth and trusted adults have real conversations about real-life topics, this 300-card game creates space for connection in a way that feels natural, engaging, and meaningful.

Every part of the game has been shaped by real feedback and lived experiences. We’re now finalizing production and incorporating the last round of insights before launch.

The full 300-card game will be available for purchase soon, with orders expected to begin shipping at the end of May.

Want to be first in line?

Join our early access list to get launch updates, behind-the-scenes progress, and first access when the game becomes available.

Get Early Access Updates

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.

In-Person LiFT – West Des Moines

📅 Date: Saturday,May 30, 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 – Indianola

📅 Date: June 20, 2026

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT

📍 Location: Lighthouse Community Center - 109 W Boston Ave. Indianola, 50125

💲 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.

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.

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.