Date

12-2025

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Health, Human Services and Public Policy

Major

Collaborative Health and Human Services

Abstract

This capstone project addressed the problem of sexual health misinformation among youth in Santa Cruz County, which stems from cultural factors, limited parental communication, and inadequate comprehensive sexual health education. Implemented through the Santa Cruz County Public Health Department’s Teen Health Outreach (THO) program, the project evaluated the effectiveness of parent workshops designed to build the capacity of adults’ knowledge and confidence to discuss sexual and reproductive health topics with youth. Serving primarily Hispanic/Latino communities in Watsonville and Freedom, THO collaborates with local schools and organizations to deliver workshops. The intervention aimed to reduce misinformation by empowering parents as trusted sources of accurate information. Quantitative results from the workshop at Rolling Hills Middle School showed increases in participants’ confidence, knowledge, and comfort discussing sexual health, confirming the project met its expected outcomes despite a small sample size. Qualitative interviews revealed barriers such as work schedules, digital literacy, and language diversity. Recommendations include expanding outreach through recorded or webinar-based workshops, incorporating Mixteco interpretation, and leveraging community events to reach key stakeholders. These steps can strengthen THO’s capacity to reduce health misinformation and foster informed, supportive family communication.

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