WYSH

Washington Youth Sexual Health Project

Now Available!

Snag Bags (Free Condoms)

Hooking up, teepee creeping, snagging, one-night stands, Netflix and chill – no matter
what you call it, it’s always good to be sexually safe!

Snag Bags are free condoms for AI/AN youth who live in the PNW, and are mailed directly and discreetly to a desired address. *One order per household, until supplies last!

Scroll down to order
Visit the Snag Bags (Free Condoms) Tab

Social Media Materials

Loved Here, Safe Here. – Materials for tribal clinics and those who engage with Native youth to support and provide an affirming environment for the 2SLGBTQ community.

Get Yourself Tested (GYT) – The GYT campaign encourages young people to get tested and treated for STDs and HIV to protect their health and the health of their partners.

Snag Bags (Free Condoms)

What are Snag Bags?

Hooking up, teepee creeping, snagging, one-night stands, Netflix and chill – no matter what you call it, it’s always good to be sexually safe. We’re looking out for you with our Snag Bags. Snag Bags are free condoms mailed directly and discreetly to a desired address. Snag Bags weaves popular Native sexual ideology while working within local ideals of shame to distribute condoms and safe sex materials to sexually active young people and adults (Gilley, 2006).

Packages will come in a non-descript manila envelope, and you will find:

Sexual Health resources
3 WRN latex external condom (1 cover and 2 foils)
1 WRN latex internal condom
1 lubricant pack
1 towelette (wipe)
1 mint

**We apologize as we currently did not include non-latex condoms in this package

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

Do they cost anything?
- No cost, they are FREE. However, supplies are limited (only 1 order per household/address).
Who can order?
- Indigenous youth/young adults living within the PNW region (Washington, Idaho, and Oregon).
What if I’m not Native and/or not from the PNW?
- Due to limited supply, we are only fulfilling requests for Indigenous youth/young adults in the PNW at this time.
- Here are resources if you are outside our intended audience or reach:
  - Check out your local community, county, school, or nonprofit clinics and/or pharmacies (like planned parenthood) for availability of or guidance accessing free condoms, lube, etc.
  - Oregon: https://www.onecondoms.com/pages/oregon
  - Washington: https://www.lifelong.org/sexual-health-prevent and https://www.freecondomswa.com/map
  - Idaho: https://www.onecondoms.com/pages/idaho
  - National: https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/sexual-health/free-condoms

What is in the package?
- You will find:
  - Sexual Health Resources via QR code
  - 3 WRN latex external condom (1 cover and 2 foils)
  - 1 WRN latex internal condom
  - 1 lubricant pack, towelette (wipe), mint
- **We apologize as we currently did not include non-latex condoms in this package

How will they arrive when I place an order
- Packages will come in a non-descript manila envelope. Also, the name and address provided on the order form will be displayed on the address label.
- **Please note: USPS will return the order if it does not match the legal address

How long will it take to arrive?
- Orders will be delivered on a rolling basis through USPS. Therefore, please expect approx. 2 weeks delivery time.
Can I cancel my order?
- Sure! If you’d like to cancel your order, email Asia Brown ambrown@npaihb.org with the name and address you used for your submission to cancel your order.
Can I place a large bulk order? Such as for my school or community?
- Due to limited supply, packages are designed for individuals and NOT organizations at this time.
- If you are interested in a bulk order for your community, reach out to ambrown@npaihb.org and we can connect.

How can I place an order?

Order here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Snagbags

Questions?

Contact Asia Brown at ambrown@npaihb.org

Resources:

Text Sex to 94449: A text message service for Native youth and young adults designed to deliver sexual health information to prevent HIV/STIs.

WeRNative:

Text EMPOWER to 94449: A text message service is for parents and caring adults that offer culturally appropriate tips and resources, covering sexual health, pregnancy, STDs, and consent.

Media Campaign - Safe Spaces & GYT

Loved Here, Safe Here.

Download the materials, Click Here!

Download the 1-pager, Click Here!

Social Marketing Campaign Materials

The creation of safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces is critically important to provide holistic wellness for 2SLGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and Two Spirit) community members. A safe space is a place, program, or community that is intentionally working to affirm 2SLGBTQ identities. For many Native youth, having the knowledge that 2SLGBTQ allies exist across their tribal community can help create a welcoming and safe environment.

Creating welcoming spaces is a continual process; one that requires accountability and buy-in from everyone who create the space and access it. There are several ways we can create welcoming spaces, especially in the clinical and educational environments.

The Adolescent Health Team at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) is pleased to announce the availability of health promotion materials for tribal clinics and those who engage with Native youth (such as health educators, teachers, advisors, counselors, coaches, youth recreation staffers, etc.) to support and provide an affirming environment for 2SLGBTQ youth. The campaign materials – Loved Here, Safe Here. – can be posted, printed, or shared with your networks.

Tips for using these campaign materials in Tribal communities:

Hang the posters in Tribal service buildings, such as: health clinics, gyms, administration buildings, schools, local stores, and businesses.
Use the temporary tattoos, stickers, magnets, and enamel pins to hand-out at school or community events and health fairs. Have them available in clinic waiting rooms or place them in information packets provided to patients.
Download the materials from the NPAIHB website and post them on your Tribe’s website or social media pages.
Promote the materials during Health Observances and holidays, such as:
- February – Valentine’s Day
- April – STD Awareness Month
- May – Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
- June – PRIDE Month, etc.

We Appreciate Your Feedback

Please share how you’ve used the materials in your community, by taking this 5-minute Survey: Click Here!

Thank you to our funders:

Minority HIV/AIDS Fund (MHAF) through Indian Health Services (IHS)
The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) through U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)

Sexual Health Messaging

As Native people, it is taught that good health requires balance between body, mind, spirit and community. We do know that sex and sexuality—although at times difficult to discuss—are important aspects of health and wellbeing.  

Sexual health education, access, and inclusive messaging for Native youth and young adults can be challenging in Indian Country and Alaska, where sexual and reproductive decisions are shaped by unique social and cultural norms. To address these challenges, promoting culturally-relevant, age-appropriate sexual health requires coordinated, collaborative programming on multiple levels.

How to Use:

Digital downloads can be share on social media and online education platforms. These social media posts and messages can be share on tribal websites or social media pages. If you would like customized graphics, contact Sexual Health Communications Specialist, Asia Brown at ambrown@npaihb.org
Utilize our Sexual Health Observances 2023 Calendar to promote messages. Each month features special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important sexual health topics.
Right click on the social media graphics below to download:

Social Media Messages:

Sample social media posts will be coming soon!

Follow Us on Social Media:

Supportive Links:

Check out our Virtual Tips & Tools – Techy Tuesday on our weRnative YouTube channel.

Learn how to:

Upload Instagram Videos
Create a Facebook & Instagram Stories

Resources

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) has joined forces with a number of partners to support adolescent health, education, and cultural resiliency skills.

HealthyNativeYouth.org is one-stop shop for educators and advocates who want to expand learning opportunities for AI/AN youth. The site is designed for tribal health educators, teachers, and parents – providing training and tools needed to access and deliver effective, age-appropriate positive youth development, healthy decision-making curricula. The website includes free curricula, lesson plans, implementation toolbox and resources to support the delivery in the classroom or afterschool in tribal or urban settings.

Healthy Native Youth E-Newsletters Library: Click here

Paths Remembered.org resources for individuals, educators, providers and tribal leaders can be found in a one-stop shop portal; a must-have bookmark on one’s internet browser. An array of health information, community resources, educator toolbox and PSAs for any setting to impress the importance of inclusive health.

The Trans and Gender-Affirming Care ECHO Program is designed to coach providers in giving appropriate, high-quality care to gender-diverse patients. Sessions are open to all, but require advanced registration.

WeRNative.org is a multimedia health resource – for Native youth, by Native youth. The site includes health & wellness resources that address the social, structural and environmental stressors that influence adolescent health and personal goal setting.

Social Marketing Campaigns:

Select from a number of media campaigns on NPAIHB. Feel free to download, print, or pass on any of our campaign materials. Or use the campaign logos on your own shirts and promotional materials. Visit here!
HIV/AIDS – Prevention, Treatment, Healing

Project Overview

WYSH is the Washington Youth Sexual Health project under Project Red Talon at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. The project partners with Washington State’s Department of Health (DOH) Youth Sexual Health Innovation Network to help improve youth’s access to and experience with sexual health care in I/T/U (Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban) clinic settings, including sexual health services for 2SLGBTQ teens and young adults.

The Innovation Network currently includes:

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)
Washington Department of Health (DOH)
Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

Goals:

Improve and expand youth-friendly sexual health services.
Engage in stakeholder engagement with communities and youth and raise awareness of WYSH Network and interventions to support youth sexual health.
Conduct user-centered development, testing, refinement and evaluation of innovative youth sexual health care interventions.
Make a measurable impact on youth access to and experience with sexual health care in Washington State.

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