TRAINING & Event CALENDAR
📣 New Trainings Just Added! Finish 2025 Strong—Register Now for Winter & Spring Sessions!
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📣 New Trainings Just Added! Finish 2025 Strong—Register Now for Winter & Spring Sessions! 〰️
Empower Teens. Elevate Your Skills. Transform Your Impact.
Unlock Your Potential. Transform Sex Ed.
Ready to build confidence, boost your skills, and stand out as a trusted, transformative educator? EyesOpenIowa offers dynamic, inclusive, and research-based trainings designed for educators, health professionals, and advocates who are serious about leveling up.
Whether you’re looking to:
Earn your Certified Sexual Health Educator (CHSE) certification
Refresh your toolkit with real-world strategies
Strengthen your professional resume
Or gain confidence tackling tough conversations...
You’re in the right place.
🎯 All trainings are built to engage adult learners with actionable tools, peer connection, and expert-led instruction. New sessions are added regularly—many sell out fast!
👉 Scroll down to view upcoming trainings and events.
💡 Curriculum Trainings Available — Join the Waitlist Today!
We provide training on some of the most widely used and trusted sex ed curriculums in the country:
Available Curriculums: Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs), Draw the Line/Respect the Line (DTL/RTL), and FLASH
Training Format & Schedule
Trainings are available virtually or in-person. Registration is open year-round — sessions are scheduled based on demand. Cost: $175 per person.
How It Works
We organize curriculum trainings based on interest. When enough people join the waitlist for a given curriculum, we schedule a training date. If you’re eager to get trained sooner, custom sessions for individuals or small groups may also be arranged upon request.
👉 Join the Waitlist or Request a Session:
Email us at info@eyesopeniowa.org to get started.
Lunch-N-Learn Series: December Session
Topic: Reflect & Reset: Planning for Stronger Sex Ed in 2026
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Time: 12:00–12:30 PM or 6:00–6:30 PM CT
Format: Virtual (Join from the comfort of your home or office) Cost: Free
Close out the year by reviewing wins, challenges, and lessons learned in 2025. This planning-focused session offers practical ideas and mindset shifts to set you up for a more impactful year ahead.
Myths & Misconceptions Series: December Session
Topic: “Cuffing Season Confusion”: Relationship Myths That Sneak in Over the Holidays
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025 Time: 12:00–12:30 PM CT
Format: Virtual (Join from the comfort of your home or office) Cost: $20
Why do people “settle down” in the winter? What messages do young people get about relationships during the holidays, and how can we help them navigate the pressure to couple up? This session dives into myths about attachment, romantic timelines, and more.
Lunch-N-Learn Series: January Session
Topic: More Than The Talk: Addressing Relationships in Sex Ed
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Time: 12:00–12:30 PM or 6:00–6:30 PM CT
Format: Virtual (Join from the comfort of your home or office) Cost: Free
Help students define respect, navigate conflict, and recognize red flags in dating using SEL-aligned tools and inclusive approaches.
Myths & Misconceptions Series: January Session
Topic: Who Gets to Decide? Understanding Sex Ed Decision-Making in School Districts
Date: January 15, 2026 Time: 12:00–12:30 PM CT
Format: Virtual (Join from the comfort of your home or office) Cost: $20
Learn how curriculum decisions are made and how to advocate effectively in your district.
Adult Workshop Series: Is Your Relationship Doomed?
Date: January 15, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM CT
Format: In-person (EyesOpenIowa Training Hall, West Des Moines) or Virtual via Zoom Cost: $30
What you’ve always wanted to know about relationships that actually last… but were maybe too afraid (or too tired) to ask.
Join us for the next installment of our adult workshop series featuring our very own couples therapist and sex educator, Emily Gillon! This fun, insightful session will help you understand what really makes relationships thrive—not just survive.
If you loved our menopause sessions… buckle up. You’re going to love this one too.
Lunch-N-Learn Series: February Session
Topic: Rights, Respect, Responsibility: Teaching Consent from a Justice Lens
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 Time: 12:00–12:30 PM or 6:00–6:30 PM CT
Format: Virtual (Join from the comfort of your home or office) Cost: Free
Go beyond “no means no” and explore how power, identity, and equity shape consent education.
Myths & Misconceptions Series: February Session
Topic: What’s “Age Appropriate” Anyway? A Dive into the National Sex Ed Standards
Date: February 19, 2026 Time: 12:00–12:30 PM CT
Format: Virtual via Zoom Cost: $20
Explore what “age appropriate” really means and how to talk about it using national standards.
Unmasking Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2026 Time: 9:00–11:00 AM CT
Format: Virtual via Zoom Cost: $75
Learn about what Crisis Pregnancy Centers are and how they work to mislead individuals seeking reproductive care, often using purity culture and misinformation. Gain tools to educate students and clients on accessing medically accurate, unbiased services.
Awkward to Awesome: Core Skills
Date: March 30, 2026 Time: 9:00am-4:00 PM CT
Format: In-Person at EyesOpenIowa in West Des Moines, IA Cost: $200
From uncomfortable to unstoppable—gain the skills every sex educator needs.
This dynamic, in-person training builds your confidence and competence in navigating the most challenging parts of sex ed facilitation. Designed to equip educators, health professionals, and youth-serving adults with the foundational skills to deliver inclusive, shame-free sex education, Awkward to Awesome: Core Skills focuses on how to handle sensitive questions, set boundaries, and manage personal disclosure.
Whether you're just getting started or want a skills refresh, this session will help you shift from awkward to authentic—without losing impact.
You’ll walk away with:
Practical strategies to handle tough or inappropriate questions
Clear guidance on professional boundaries and values-neutral responses
Inclusive facilitation techniques for diverse youth audiences
Tools to support medically accurate and youth-centered dialogue
This training fulfills a core requirement for Certified Sexual Health Educator (CSHE) designation and is always scheduled alongside Sex Ed Staples: Core Content.
We strongly recommend registering for both sessions to get the most comprehensive training experience.
Sex Ed Staples: Core Content
Date: March 31, 2026 Time: 9:00-4:00 AM CT
Format: In-person at EyesOpenIowa in West Des Moines, IA Cost: $200
Master the foundational knowledge behind high-quality sexual health education.
Sex Ed Staples: Core Content provides participants with a solid foundation in what effective, inclusive, and legally compliant sex education looks like. This training is ideal for new educators, youth program staff, health professionals, or anyone delivering sex ed content who wants a refresher on the basics.
We cover critical content areas, bust common myths, and introduce best practices to ensure you're delivering accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive information.
You’ll walk away with:
A working knowledge of core sex ed concepts, terms, and principles
Up-to-date legal and policy guidance relevant to Iowa educators
Overview of the National Sex Ed Standards and implementation tips
Ready-to-use strategies and sample activities for classroom or community settings
This training fulfills a core requirement for Certified Sexual Health Educator (CSHE) designation and is always scheduled alongside Awkward to Awesome: Core Skills.
We highly recommend registering for both sessions to round out your knowledge and facilitation toolkit.
Awkward to Awesome: Core Skills
Date: March 30, 2026 Time: 9:00am-4:00 PM CT
Format: In-Person at EyesOpenIowa in West Des Moines, IA Cost: $200
From uncomfortable to unstoppable—gain the skills every sex educator needs.
This dynamic, in-person training builds your confidence and competence in navigating the most challenging parts of sex ed facilitation. Designed to equip educators, health professionals, and youth-serving adults with the foundational skills to deliver inclusive, shame-free sex education, Awkward to Awesome: Core Skills focuses on how to handle sensitive questions, set boundaries, and manage personal disclosure.
Whether you're just getting started or want a skills refresh, this session will help you shift from awkward to authentic—without losing impact.
You’ll walk away with:
Practical strategies to handle tough or inappropriate questions
Clear guidance on professional boundaries and values-neutral responses
Inclusive facilitation techniques for diverse youth audiences
Tools to support medically accurate and youth-centered dialogue
This training fulfills a core requirement for Certified Sexual Health Educator (CSHE) designation and is always scheduled alongside Sex Ed Staples: Core Content.
We strongly recommend registering for both sessions to get the most comprehensive training experience.
Sex Ed Staples: Core Content
Date: March 31, 2026 Time: 9:00-4:00 AM CT
Format: In-person at EyesOpenIowa in West Des Moines, IA Cost: $200
Master the foundational knowledge behind high-quality sexual health education.
Sex Ed Staples: Core Content provides participants with a solid foundation in what effective, inclusive, and legally compliant sex education looks like. This training is ideal for new educators, youth program staff, health professionals, or anyone delivering sex ed content who wants a refresher on the basics.
We cover critical content areas, bust common myths, and introduce best practices to ensure you're delivering accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive information.
You’ll walk away with:
A working knowledge of core sex ed concepts, terms, and principles
Up-to-date legal and policy guidance relevant to Iowa educators
Overview of the National Sex Ed Standards and implementation tips
Ready-to-use strategies and sample activities for classroom or community settings
This training fulfills a core requirement for Certified Sexual Health Educator (CSHE) designation and is always scheduled alongside Awkward to Awesome: Core Skills.
We highly recommend registering for both sessions to round out your knowledge and facilitation toolkit.
Adult Workshop Series: Grown-Up Sex Ed
Date: May 21, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM CT
Format: In-person (EyesOpenIowa Training Hall, West Des Moines) or Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $30
In this upbeat, no-shame workshop, sex educator and trainer Val Cumming is here to spill the tea on all the sex ed topics we should’ve learned, but didn’t. We’ll talk about real stuff like consent, birth control, STI testing, how and when to use condoms, and navigating awkward (but important!) convos with partners and providers. It’s the perfect mix of “Ohhh, that makes sense now” and “Wait… why did no one ever teach me this?” Expect laughs, lightbulb moments, and a whole lot of useful info to take into your real life. You’ll leave smarter, more confident, and better equipped.
If you loved our menopause sessions… buckle up. You’re going to love this one too.
Who should attend EOI Trainings?
School and organizational administrators involved in overseeing sex education programming
Youth-serving adults
Social workers
Public health specialists
College students
Individuals passionate about learning more about sexual health education
…and more!
Community-based educators
Clinic-based educators
Health teachers
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teachers
School nurses
Physical education teachers
School counselors
Curriculum leads
Not Finding the Training Opportunity You're Looking For?
New trainings are always being added to our calendar! Subscribe to our newsletter to get training announcements straight to your inbox at the beginning of each month.
Looking for custom trainings or professional development opportunities for your group?
Check out our Book a Training or Speaker page to learn about our customized training options.
How Do Lunch-N-Learns Work?
Professional development in bite-sized chunks…on us!
While Lunch-N-Learns are typically held on the first Tuesday of each month from 12:00pm-12:30pm CT and from 6:00pm-6:30pm CT, dates & times may vary.
Our Lunch-N-Learns are dynamic, concise Zoom sessions packed with valuable education related to adolescent sexual health. They're designed to empower youth-serving professionals, educators, healthcare workers, college students, and any adults passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people.
Each session is offered at two convenient times:
Afternoon session: 12:00 to 12:30 PM CT
Evening session: 6:00 to 6:30 PM CT
Both times are live, interaction-optional sessions filled with robust information. Choose the time that fits your schedule best!
Why Should I Join In?
Engaging Content
Dive into relevant topics that offer practical tools and insights you can apply immediately.Flexible and Convenient
Join us during your lunch break or catch the evening session; our sessions fit seamlessly into your busy schedule.No Cost
All Lunch-N-Learns are provided free of charge, thanks to our generous donors.Relaxed Atmosphere
Munch, crunch, and enjoy your meal! There's no pressure to contribute or have your camera on. Participation is optional; you can choose to engage or simply listen in.Professional Development
Enhance your credential; most sessions count as 0.5 hours towards Certified Sexual Health Educator (CSHE) initial and re-certification. Click here to learn more about becoming CSHE certified.
How Do I Join In?
Pre-registration is required. Scroll up to view the training calendar and select your session to get registered. You will receive a Zoom link via email.
Cancellation/Postponement Policy
EyesOpenIowa reserves the right to cancel a training or event if we do not reach the minimum number of participants to make the event viable by the registration closing date. In the event that we cancel a training, we will notify you using the email you used during registration and refund your full registration amount using the same method you used for payment.
In the event of inclement weather we will work to reschedule the training. If we must cancel due to weather, we will contact you via the information you provided on your registration form.
Full refunds will be provided to registrants who provide at least one week’s notice of cancellation prior to training. No refunds will be given after that time.
Note: Accessibility accommodations are available. Please email info@eyesopeniowa.org at least two weeks prior to your session.