HEALTHY
RELATIONSHIPS
Real love is built on respect, communication, and consent. We help young people learn the skills that make every relationship — romantic, family, or friendship — safer and stronger. Sexual health is part of the conversation, but it starts with knowing your worth and how to show up for the people in your life.
THE FOUR pillars
Healthy relationships don't just happen. They're built on skills young people can learn, practice, and carry into every connection.
COMMUNICATION
Saying what you mean, listening to understand, and naming feelings without shutting down or shutting people out.
CONSENT
Enthusiastic, informed, and ongoing — in every kind of relationship, romantic or not. Consent is a skill we practice.
BOUNDARIES
Knowing what you need, saying it out loud, and respecting when someone else does the same.
SELF-WORTH
Building the kind of confidence that doesn't need someone else to feel whole — so you choose partners, not pressure.
THE DATA SPEAKS loudly
Teen dating violence, unhealthy relationship patterns, and sexual health risks are deeply connected. Arkansas youth face all of it at some of the highest rates in the country. Prevention education is not optional. It is urgent.
1 in 3
Teens in the U.S. experience physical, emotional, or sexual abuse from a dating partner before adulthood
Source: CDC, Dating Matters
57%
Of college students say it is difficult to identify dating abuse, and 58% say they don't know how to help someone experiencing it
Source: Loveisrespect.org
15–24
Age group most likely to experience intimate partner violence and the highest rates of new STIs in Arkansas
Source: CDC; AR Dept. of Health, 2022
81%
Of parents either believe teen dating violence isn't an issue or admit they don't know if it is
Source: Loveisrespect.org
WHY PEER-TO-PEER WORKS
Young people are far more likely to talk honestly about love, sex, and consent with a trained peer than with an adult. When a 19-year-old peer educator leads the conversation, the walls come down. Stigma decreases, questions flow freely, and what they learn actually sticks. Youth aren't just part of the program — they are the solution.
IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT knowing better
Relationship and sexual decisions aren't just about information. They're shaped by emotions, identity, and the need to belong. To truly prevent harm, we have to understand why young people make the choices they do.
THE ROLE OF MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Young people often stay in unhealthy relationships, ignore red flags, or take risks because of:
- Loneliness
- Wanting to feel chosen
- Pressure from partners or peers
- Low self-worth
- Anxiety or depression
When we talk about healthy relationships and HIV prevention, we have to talk about self-esteem, consent, emotional safety, and belonging.
OUR WHOLE-PERSON APPROACH
Village Public Health treats relationships, mental health, and sexual health as one connected story. Our programming addresses root causes, not just symptoms.
Building self-esteem before talking about partners or protection
Teaching consent and communication as everyday skills
Normalizing conversations about emotions, dating, and pressure
Naming red flags and what healthy love actually looks like
Centering belonging so youth don't seek validation in unsafe ways
"Emotional distress increases risk-taking behaviors in teens."
— U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
WHAT WE offer
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS CURRICULUM
Evidence-BasedEvidence-based programming using Love Notes 4.0 and Project WITH frameworks. Youth learn the building blocks of healthy connection: consent, communication, conflict resolution, boundary setting, and recognizing red flags. Sexual health and STI/HIV prevention are woven in as part of the bigger picture, not as the only conversation.
VIBE SAFE INITIATIVE
ADH FundedOur bold, youth-centered initiative addressing the relationship and sexual health crisis. Featuring the Vibe Check Tour, the Measure Your Penis (MYP) Initiative, and mobile workshops delivered directly in schools, detention centers, churches, and communities across Arkansas. Funded by the Arkansas Department of Health.
PEER EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
Peer Educator CertifiedTrain young leaders to facilitate honest conversations with their peers about consent, communication, healthy dating, boundaries, and medically accurate sexual health. Graduates earn a Peer Educator credential and lead workshops in their own communities.
FACILITATOR TRAINING (TRAIN-THE-TRAINER)
Facilitator CertifiedEquip educators, parents, and youth-serving professionals to lead healthy relationship and sexual health conversations with confidence. Includes curriculum, lesson plans, scripts for hard conversations, and ongoing coaching support.
BE PART OF THE solution
Youth-led education changes communities. Step into a leadership role, earn service learning hours by using your voice, and help inspire possibility.
Peer Relationship Educator
Complete certification to lead healthy relationship workshops in your school or organization. Cover consent, communication, boundaries, and sexual health.
Vibe Check Tour Facilitator
Join our mobile outreach team to deliver healthy relationship and sexual health education across Arkansas communities.
Campus Health Ambassador
Represent VPH on your campus, distribute resources, and organize awareness events for healthy dating, consent, and wellness.
Content Creator
Help develop social media content and digital resources that speak directly to youth about love, respect, boundaries, and self-worth.