SHFPACT’s Schools Disability Program supports the growth and learning of students with disabilities in Canberra, with regard to their social safety, and sexual and reproductive health needs.

Through the provision of one-to-one education and workshops to people with disabilities, SHFPACT aims to support positive sexual health choices and strengthen preventative approaches.

The Sexual Health, Lifestyle and Relationships Program (SHLiRP) is a collaboration between Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) and The Canberra Sexual Health Centre, located at The Canberra Hospital, that brings sexual health screening clinics, and sexual health / sexuality education to secondary colleges in the ACT.

SHLiRP originated as a research project of the Canberra Sexual Health Centre, and since 2004 SHFPACT has been contributing promtional and health education services to the partenrship.

The SHLiRP Project visits each ACT secondary college once every two years to provide a sexual health education presentation about relevant sexual heatlh issues for young people, as well as in-school opportunity to participate in screening for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood-bourne viruses (BBVs). Participation by students in screening is voluntary and confidential. Results or information about participation are not provided to schools or parents, as is normal for any medical service accessed by young people. In the school setting, students under the age of 16 will be asked to provide parental consent to participate in the screening service.

SHLiRP has been a successful model of engaging young people in sexual health education and is a chance for secondary college students to learn about sexual health services in an accessible, comfortable and friendly environment.

For more information about the program, please contact Ren Del Rosario at The Canberra Sexual Health Centre on 02 6244 2184 or Tim Bavinton at Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) on 02 6247 3077.

SHFPACT offers a range of services to support youth workers in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding regions, including nationally accredited training in Sexuality Education, a Library & Resource Centre wth sexuality education aids, and program development & evaluation support for youth workers implementing their own sexuality education programs.  

SHFPACT has also developed a range of workshops and education sessions for students in ACT schools, ranging from Primary School through to College, which can be delivered by male and/or female educators on request. 

SHFPACT offers a number of services & resources to support parents and carers in talking to their young people about sexuality, sexual health and relationships.

Clinical Services 

SHFPACT's Clinic can also provide appointments for parents & their young people to discuss sexuality and sexual & reproductive health matters.

School-based Parent Information Evenings 

SHFPACT supports school communities by providing parents and carers with engaging, interactive presentations that cover the rationale for comprehensive sexuality education delivered within their children’s school. These sessions are generally booked by the school - contact your principal or teacher to request your school to book a Parent Information Evening.Feedback received from parents who attend school-based SHFPACT Information Evenings is consistently positive.

Information & Resources 

SHFPACT can also provide information about effective communication with their children about relationships, sexuality and reproductive issues, as well as resources, to support sexuality education in the home. For more information contact the Library & Resource Centre on 02 6247 3077.