Free condoms in Chicago public schools starting this fall

Starting this fall, free condoms will be available in Chicago Public Schools for students in fifth grade and up. The Chicago Department of Public Health will provide condoms to 600 CPS schools to help prevent teen pregnancy.

Free condoms in Chicago public schools starting this fall

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that this is part of a new policy approved by the CPS Board of Education in December. Under the CPS policy, schools teaching grades five and up must maintain a condom availability program.

The Chicago Department of Public Health will provide condoms to 600 CPS schools to help prevent teen pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

So far, principals have used their own discretion about sex-related education and resources.

To start, elementary schools will receive 250 condoms and high schools will receive 1,000 condoms. When a school runs out, principals will have to request more from CPS and CDPH.

Under state rules, the CPS sex education curriculum includes lessons on puberty, hygiene, gender identity, relationships, sexual harassment, birth control, abstinence and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

CPS schools will also be required to have free menstrual products because of an Illinois law passed in Springfield, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

So far, principals have used their own discretion about sex-related education and resources.

To start, elementary schools will receive 250 condoms and high schools will receive 1,000 condoms. When a school runs out, principals will have to request more from CPS and CDPH.