High School Fellowship

Empowering tomorrow's leaders in HIV/STI prevention.

Positive Directions' High School Fellowship is an educational program that focuses on providing students hands-on knowledge on HIV/STI prevention right in the heart of Wichita, KS. During this one-day-a-week, five-week program, students will 1) develop expertise on common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (such as, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis c, syphilis, and HIV), 2) develop and implement strategies for prevention of new infections, and 3) learn how to lower the stigmas surrounding testing and treatment of STIs.

This program aims to be an introductory look into the world of HIV/STI prevention.

Why a high school fellowship program?

Because education is prevention! While its important to learn about chemistry, literature, and US history, it is also important to understand our own bodies and how acts of intimacy can interact with and influence whole communities. This fellowship aims to provide the foundational learning experience for HIV/STI prevention and education by providing real-life, evidence-supported information. 

 Eligibility

High school students (9th - 12th grade) in the Wichita area who are interested in public health, nursing, medicine, social work, or LGBT+ health are invited to apply to this fellowship by the link below: 


Please complete and submit the application, with parental consent form and teacher recommendation survey, by Sunday, February 27th, 2022 by 11:59pm. Students will be notified of their acceptance status Monday, March 7th, 2022.

Parental Consent Form.pdf

Program Curriculum

Students are expected to attend all five (5) meetings, which are scheduled regularly once per week. Meetings are expected to last 1 - 1.5 hour per session. students can expect to spend one hour outside of regularly scheduled meetings per week on any additional assignments.


Meetings are scheduled Saturday mornings at 10:30 am:


  • Week 1: March 26th
  • Week 2: April 2nd
  • Week 3: April 9th
  • Week 4: April 16th
  • Week 5: April 23rd

Week 1: Introduction to Positive Directions, High School Fellowship, and STI 101

During our first week, we will go over general information about Positive Directions, our mission and vision, and our general services. at this time, we will also go over the general timeline of the fellowship and establish ground rules between one another. This will be used primarily as a space for students to express their desires and expectations within this program. As we finish our primary expectations and goal setting, we will begin foundational information on Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C.

Week 2: Introduction to

HIV/AIDS 101

This second week builds upon the foundational knowledge students received from the week prior. Moving forward, we begin discussing HIV/AIDS, primarily speaking upon the social-cultural stigmas associated with the virus since its first diagnosis 40 years ago. We will then go over the biology of the virus and how HIV develops into AIDS.

Week 3: Safe Sex and Risk Reduction

Students will receive information on general safe sex practices such as condom usage, limited sexual partners, and getting tested regularly. During this time, we will continue to build upon the knowledge gained from previous weeks, highlighting the various forms of transmittable fluids and behaviors that may increase an STI transmission. As we wrap up this week, students will have time to practice one-on-one speaking to peers about safe sex practices.

Week 4: Reducing the Stigma of STIs and Getting Tested

Leading into this week, students will continue practicing one-on-one dialogue to continue decreasing the stigma around STIs and getting tested. Getting tested is important because it keeps you and your community safe. This week will highlight the fears, anxieties, and misconceptions regarding the testing and treatment of STIs. We will also discuss the importance of using appropriate language while talking about STIs.

Week 5: Now What? A Holistic Conversation on STIs in Your Community

As we wrap up the program, we will discuss how STI/HIV resources are currently being used in our own local communities. We will have open discussion on how students plan on using this information as leaders within their respective communities as we continue to build upon information gained from previous weeks.

Additional Volunteering (Optional)

Students 18+ have the opportunity to participate in on-site testing after completing appropriate KSTrain modules, offered trough the Kansas Department for Aging and disability Services (KDADS). Additional volunteering is optional and is not required for fellowship completion.

Call Us

Still have some questions about our High School Fellowship? Give us a call today!




316.263.2214

Email Us

For general inquiries regarding the program, please email us.




outreach@pdiks.com

Visit Us

Feel free to stop by our office to learn more!


154 N Topeka St. Wichita, KS 67202

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