It is a part of a Reproductive Health and Access Coalition, which is working toward getting a comprehensive sexual-health education bill passed in Illinois.

"The mission of ICAH is to work in partnership with youth on advocacy for sexual health, education, access to sexual health services and support for pregnant and parenting youth." said ICAH Executive Director Yamani Hernandez.

To advance its work, ICAH recruits youth through the schools and community-based organizations and train them to advocate for issues that affect their lives and communities. Social media and technology also play roles in ICAH's sex-education campaigns; for example, there is the "Sex-Ed Loop," a text campaign with weekly sex-education advice written by youth. ICAH is also using Twitter and Facebook to promote its message to everyone. With parents/guardians and other adult allies, the organization works with institutions throughout the state that impact youth, including the Illinois State Board of Education- the foster-care and public-health systems; and medical providers.

The sex-education bill known as HB 3027 that ICAH is pushing for requires existing sex-education programs to teach information that is medically accurate, age-appropriate and complete. The measure, which applies to grades six through 12, includes information on reducing unintended pregnancies, STDs and STIs, and stresses abstinence. Hernandez emphasized there is not one specific curriculum but that ICAH is recommending curricula for the school districts to use that include all viewpoints. Parents will be able opt their children out of these classes. The bill's success is looking good according to Hernandez but ICAH will not know the outcome until the state House votes.

Although there is not something specifically geared toward LGBT students in HB 3027, the bill says that the sex-education classes have to be comprehensive, which includes a gender-neutral approach and presents prevention strategies for youth of all identities. Also, Hernandez noted, ICAH actively seeks to work with queer youth. In addition, ICAH partners with groups such as the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance and has recruited youths from the Center on Halsted to assist them.

"Since ICAH is a sex-positive organization we encourage people to have healthy relationships with their bodies and the people they interact with and protect themselves accordingly," said Hernandez.

As for ICAH's other causes they include: access to sexual health education and sexual health services, access to pro-choice options for youth who don't want to become parents and assist youth who choose to parent have access to their full rights and resources like daycares so they finish their education. Hernandez said the response to their organization has been pretty positive.

Hernandez cited evidence of ICAH's reputation in the city as a leader in adolescent health through participation in the citywide Adolescent Health Access Committee that is connected Mayor Emmanuel's Healthy Chicago Plan.

"We always have multiple projects going on," Hernandez remarked. One of these programs is a statewide youth leadership program called School of Justice where ICAH trains people throughout the state to be leaders on sexual health issues. They teach youth leaders about reproductive justice, anti-oppression tactics on all of the isms like heterosexism, racism and environmental justice.

To find out more about ICAH or to get involved, visit www.icah.org .