Intersections, Inc. has completed the first round of ACCESS, a program providing sexual risk avoidance education tailored for students who require specialized instructional support, serving 26 students over a five-day session.

The program, whose name stands for Advocating Consent, Confidence, and Education for Special Students, was run in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Division, the Leo o Aiga Program, and the Department of Education’s Special Education Division. Trained special education teachers led the classroom lessons.

Students focused on consent, personal boundaries, healthy and unhealthy relationships, public and private behaviors, personal safety, communication, and decision making, reinforced through repetition, visuals, discussion, and role play.

Parents and caregivers participated alongside their children throughout the week.

Leo o Aiga Program Director Ipu Eliapo-Unutoa said the program teaches children with special needs how to protect themselves from unsafe situations and know who they can turn to for help.

The program was taught by three Special Education Division teachers: Tufuee Sualevai, Janice Ualesi, and Sala Godinet.