Healthy Relationships Now & in the Future

Our relationship coaches are here to help youth  reach
their #RelationshipGoals! Our free courses are based
on the best available science for teens and the caring
adults who support them.
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4 Courses for Supporting Youth:

Teens 13-15
Teens 16-19
RISE Ambassadors
Caring Adults

Providing 13-15-year-olds with a Strong Foundation

Developing Bodies & Brains

A storm of neurological and hormonal changes lead to a wide range of new ways of thinking and feeling. We demystify and normalize the changes happening for young teens and practice how to calm the storm. This includes information about their brain, body, sexual, and social development.

Beginning Identity Development

As the brain develops, so do early teens' ability to think about who they are and  want to be. We give this area special attention because stronger identity development protects teens from the negative effects of adversity. Teens explore the multiple aspects of their identity that inform their values.

Early Romantic Experiences

People often experience their first serious romantic relationship around age 14, providing important practice for later relationships as well as support and comfort during the stresses of adolescence. Learning healthy relationship skills now improves short- and long-term outcomes.
Preparing 16-19 year-olds for the Future

Clarifying Values and Goals

Teens are taught about what influences their current thoughts, emotions, and behavior and complete activities to help them paint an increasingly clearer picture of the future they want. Then we equip them with the knowledge and practice they need to have confidence they can reach them.

 Comprehensive Sexual Knowledge

To make sexual decisions that fit best for their values and goals, teens need the real facts about sexual behavior and biology. To support healthy sexual identity development, we do not use shame or guilt language and instead focus on slowing down to talk to supportive adults and make decisions with a clear head.

Keys for Healthy Relationships

Teens learn to apply a range of emotional and interpersonal skills to help them across all types of relationships in their lives. These include keys to building fulfilling relationships,  communication, self-regulation, when to end a relationship, and warning signs of dangerous relationships.
Caring Adults are the Most Important Influence

Learn What They're Learning

Most of us learned about relationships the hard way. Learn the science behind your experiences and use concrete examples from your life to help teens apply concepts. Not only will this help them learn, but it helps them connect with you as they realize you too were once a teenager.   

Conversation Guides

As teens develop their independence, research shows that having a caring adult they can talk to is one of the strongest protective factors against a range of poor outcomes. We've built guides with conversation starters to help you let teens in your life know you are a safe person to talk to about important topics.

Find Additional Resources

In addition to compiling a list of national sources we trust to have accurate and helpful information, we're working with partners around the state of KS to identify organizations that support families and youth. We're working to find resources on diverse topics. If you don't see what you need, contact us!

The RISE Ambassador Program is for
K-State undergraduates who are 18-19 years old

Get Knowledge

Develop essential skills for promoting self-esteem, mental health, communication, conflict resolution, stress management, healthy relationships, and healthy sexuality. 

Share Knowledge

Promote open expression within a climate of courtesy, sensitivity, and mutual respect for all persons. 

Grow Knowledge

Collaborate with our team of relationship researchers, therapists, and coaches to utilize these skills for real world application to promote mental health and relational well-being. 

Benefits of #RG

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  Free & Accessible

We believe everyone should have access to the best possible resources for supporting healthy relationship and mental health development. Our devoted grant team works to find funding so you don't have to. 

 Timely & Accurate

#RG courses are updated yearly based on research about:  topics most important to healthy youth development, recent statistics, and best approaches to online learning. Courses for older and younger teens help meet specific developmental needs.

 Value-Centered

The #RG curriculum provides comprehensive information while helping youth decide how to best use that information by clarifying their own values. The caring adult portal includes guides for adults to use to support youth in this process.

 All are welcome

Holistic well-being is necessary for healthy relationships and a sense of belonging is critical to youth mental health and learning. Our learning materials depict diverse identities, circumstances, and challenges.

A FEW NOTES FROM OUR DEVELOPERS

"My own struggles to have healthy relationships as a teen and young adult has led to a career trying to help others find the information I wish I had. Now as a parent and therapist, I can see the critical role caring adults had in my ability to find the help I needed to change my trajectory."
Amber Vennum
"Relationships effect our physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, many of us struggle with relationships because we haven’t been taught how to navigate them. I want to help teens and young adults learn the skills they need to have healthy relationships. "
Michelle Toews
"We shouldn’t wait until teens get into unhealthy relationships to intervene. I believe we should empower teens and young adults with the knowledge to navigate relationship challenges head on & that they will be healthier and more fulfilled for having learned healthy relationship skills early on."
Kristin Anders