Spectrum’s sexuality education is offered 100% online. The SIROW Health Education for Youth (SIROW-HEY) curriculum provides age-appropriate, culturally-informed, factual information through interactive online sessions to assist youth in making healthy, informed decisions. SIROW-HEY consists of the following topics:
Intro to Sex and Sexuality Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology Sexually Transmitted Infections HIV Education Safer Sex Protection Sexual Communication Unhealthy and Healthy Relationships
Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment
Spectrum’s mental and behavioral health services are available 100% remotely through Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health. Youth and/or parents may request a referral for mental health counseling through the Spectrum team. Referrals may also be recommended based on a brief screening tool that will be completed by participants before the program begins. If youth express a lot of current mental health problems, thoughts of or attempted harm to others or themselves, including suicide, or abuse, Spectrum staff must call a parent or guardian. Staff will inform the parent/guardian of these concerns and recommend referral to mental or behavioral health services. Engagement in these services is voluntary.
Confidential HIV Testing
Spectrum offers voluntary, free and confidential HIV testing. We see this service as a regular health practice that anyone can engage in, regardless of perceived HIV risk. Parent/guardian permission is not required for youth to obtain an HIV test. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Spectrum’s testing provider, the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) is taking measures to ensure the safety of anyone who chooses to get tested face-to-face at their main office in Tucson. Mail-home HIV tests are also available for those who wish to maintain social distancing and/or live outside of Tucson.
Community Resource Navigation
If participants are looking for help with any issue not previously addressed, Spectrum’s Prevention Navigator can remotely provide information and link them to resources and services.
MEET OUR TEAM
Listed alphabetically by first name.
Amy (She/Her)
Amy has been working with youth and adults of all ages for the last 8 years with the University of Arizona. She is a Research Technician who enjoys learning about people and connecting them to services that can help, if any support is needed. Amy is a mom of three, and works very hard at home, and at work to keep everything right on track! She is there when you need her, and is a strong advocate for youth and their needs. Amy looks forward to meeting with you soon!
Corrie (She/Her)
Corrie is the Evaluator for the Spectrum Project. She offers the Spectrum team support with the research component of the project—helping to ensure that the assessments, surveys, and data are safe for participants and helpful to the project. Corrie loves her dog, make-up, plants and music. She collects soul, funk, R&B, hip hop records and is learning about jazz. She stays keeping her nails cute and her plants thriving! With her Pitbull son, Debo, she runs and hikes around the desert taking pictures of cactus, clouds, and sunsets. If you ever have questions or feedback about the research component of Spectrum, Corrie is around to talk and listen.
Courtney (She/Her)
Courtney is the Program Coordinator of Spectrum. She supports the day-to-day functioning of the project and helps ensure that we’re meeting our goals. Courtney is super passionate about sex education and believes everyone deserves access to holistic and affirming sex ed, especially LGBTQ+ young people who are so often left out of important sex and relationships conversations. She gets particularly jazzed when talking about anatomy and safer sex materials, and loves myth-busting! Courtney is a mom of two small kiddos, as well as a coffee and cheese lover.
Emilio (He/She)
Emilio is part of the Spectrum team as a Health Education Specialist by day and a drag queen by night, slaying the world with good music and good time. Emilio is also a part of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health. He has been working with youth for 6 years now and loves being able to help shape a young person’s life to help them live their best life possible.
Maizie (She/Her)
Maizie is the Youth Health Navigator for Spectrum, working as support in the classroom to help meet students’ diverse needs. She spends the rest of her time in Eon’s youth lounge on Fourth Avenue, hanging out with the coolest youth in Tucson! In the past, she has worked with diverse populations in field of social work. These days she is most passionate about helping young people figure out who they are and find their place in the world. In her free time, you can find Maizie hanging out with her pets, doing yoga, playing guitar, or reading tarot!
Monica (Ella/Suya-She/Her)
Monica is from the border towns of Nogales. She transplanted to Tucson eons ago and has dedicated her life to teaching sex ed (well not all of it, but a big part of it). She firmly believes that comprehensive, inclusive sex education saves lives. When Monica is not in a classroom empowering young people to make informed decisions about their sexual health, Monica can be found riding the SunLink to Tucson Children’s Museum with her kiddo or taking a dip in someone’s pool. Monica also enjoys listening to music, podcasts and spending time with family and friends.
WHY SPECTRUM?
What's to Love About Spectrum?
What we love about Spectrum (and we think you’ll love too)
We’re all about sex positivity
Sexuality is complex and means something different to everyone. Our job isn’t to tell you what your sexuality and relationships should look like. We present information so you can apply it to your life on your terms. There’s no room for shameful messaging or secrecy in here! And we don’t shy away from tough topics. Talk, explore, ask questions, and be you!
Spectrum is inclusive!
Spectrum’s sexuality education curriculum centers LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, which creates a safer and more positive environment for everyone!
Spectrum is holistic
we offer sex education, mental and behavioral health services, HIV testing, and support with other needs. All for free! That can be hard to find in one place.
Spectrum has a research component
Spectrum is a product of lessons learned from previous projects. The research component of Spectrum allows us to better understand the young people in our community so that we can best meet your needs now, and in the future. The data we collect also helps funders understand what’s going on in our communities so programs like Spectrum can continue to exist!
All the snacks
Whether we’re meeting virtually or in-person, we’ve got you covered.
Prizes and swag galore!
There are so many opportunities to earn prizes and swag. Check out our menu (a pole dancing sloth cosmetic bag, anyone?!)
We have an awesome team
Our talented and diverse team includes a state title-holder drag queen, a theater actor and producer, a mom of three, and a few other caring folks. We’re highly trained in sexuality education, best practices for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and more. Former participants have told us that we’re welcoming and affirming…Come hang!
“During our Spectrum classes, I had the best time! Throughout the whole week the team truly created the most accepting, inclusive, educational, and loving space possible! This class gave me all the tools I need to not only keep myself safe but also to lead healthy conversations about sex to keep others safe.”
“How to be a good communicator, how to ask for consent, how to give consent, anatomy of both genitalia, info on STI’s and HIV”
“I learned a lot more about STI's and protective methods than I had in previous courses”
