2025-26 UCS: Health, Family Life, Erin's Law, Prevention Curriculum and Resources
Tennessee law mandates that a family life education program be implemented within the school district in compliance with state law. All Family Life lessons include age-appropriate topics based solely on Tennessee Health Education Standards. With accurate information, students are better prepared to make healthy choices and hopefully reduce substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, diseases, and teen pregnancy. Students in grades 5 through 9 participate in Family Life classes.
All students will participate in these classes unless a parent/guardian requests in writing to exempt his or her son/daughter. Male and female students are separated for instruction. A parent or guardian who wishes to excuse a student from all portions of family life shall submit a request in writing to the student's principal. A student excused from any or all portions of family life shall not be penalized for grading purposes if the student satisfactorily performs alternative health lessons. If you want your child to participate in these classes, you do not need to do anything. However, if you do not want your child to participate in these classes, you may opt them out. To opt out, you must complete the form below. Return this to your child’s teacher. These forms must be submitted prior to the start of your child’s Family Life classes. Students who do not participate will be given an alternate assignment during these classes.
What is Family Life and Health Education?
The State of Tennessee defines "Family Life education" as an abstinence-centered sex education program that builds a foundation of knowledge and skills relating to character development, human development, decision-making, abstinence, contraception, and disease prevention. Family Life law can be found in Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 49-6-1304. To review the state standards, please go to Unicoi Schools Website and to view the Grades 5-9 Family Life Standards
What is Erin’s Law?
Erin’s Law focuses on preventing child sexual abuse and was signed into law in Tennessee in
2014 under Tennessee Code Annotated 37-1-601 and further defined in Tennessee Code
Annotated 49-6-1304 - Family life instruction. This law requires schools across the state to provide age-appropriate instruction to students on personal body safety, and how to report sexual abuse, human trafficking, and internet crimes against children.
What are Health and Wellness Standards?
Additionally, students receive instruction on Health and Wellness. The Tennessee Health Education Standards Grades K-5 document is divided into five components: Personal Wellness (PW); Mental and Emotional Wellness (EW); Disease Prevention (DP); Safety (S); and Human Growth and Development (HGD). The Tennessee Health Education Standards Grades 6-8 document is divided into five components: Personal Wellness (PW); Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH); Safety and Prevention (SP); Human Growth and Development (HGD); and Substance Use and Abuse (SUA). The Tennessee Lifetime Wellness Standards Grades 9-12 document is divided into five components: Personal Wellness (PW); Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH); First Aid and Safety (FAS); Human Growth and Development (HGD); and Substance Use and Abuse (SUA).
Family Life Curriculum
The curriculum for the family life education program shall be delivered in a manner that is age-appropriate and factually and medically accurate. To review the state standards, please go to Grades 5-9 Family Life Standards. Instruction in topics related to sexual activity is not age-appropriate for students in grades kindergarten through five (K-5) and shall not be taught as part of the family life curriculum. This does not prohibit instruction on the detection, intervention, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse and human trafficking of children
ETR HealthSmart curriculum is a K–12, skills-based health education program that empowers students to think, choose, and act in healthy ways. The Unicoi County Health Educator uses this curriculum to deliver Family Life Instruction to students in grades 5-9.
Baby Olivia provides a high-quality, computer-generated animation or high-definition ultrasound that shows the development of the brain, heart, and other vital organs in early fetal development. The Unicoi County Health Educator uses this video (as required) to deliver Family Life Instruction to students in grades 8-9.
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Curriculum and Resources
Second Step Child Protection Units provide age-appropriate learning for K-5 classes. The lessons in the Child Protection Unit help students recognize, report, and refuse unsafe situations. It also includes training, guidance, and resources for teachers, leaders, counselors, and families.
Keeping Kids Safe is provided to our PreK programs by the Department of Human Services.
Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation Prevention and Internet Safety Curricula
NetSmartz is used by the Health Educator to deliver internet safety. NetSmartz is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children to be safer online, to help children to become more aware of potential online risks, and to empower them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline. This site also includes a cyber tip line link or toll-free telephone number for reporting incidents.
Digital Dos and Don’ts was developed by the Health Educator to promote internet safety.
Professional Development Plan (*Required)
DCS Training: * Health Educators and Counselors
UCS Hub: * All Educators
Second Step Modules: * K-5 Counselors (all educators and leaders can participate)
Annual Review
The family life education program is reviewed annually to ensure that the prohibited items of instruction, as provided by the state law, are not included in the curriculum.
Reporting
At the beginning of the school year, the Director of Schools provides a report on employees trained to provide instruction on the family life curriculum related to child sex abuse, human trafficking, and internet crimes. This report is provided to the Department of Children’s Services and includes the curriculum selected by the Board of Education.
Social-Emotional Competencies
Leader in Me (Unicoi Elementary & Love Chapel):
Leader in Me is a schoolwide framework that develops leadership and life skills in students by creating a culture of trust and empowerment. It promotes:
Student leadership
Academic achievement
Positive behavior and emotional well-being
This proactive approach encourages responsibility, empathy, and collaboration among students.
The Resilient School Project (ETSU & Unicoi County School System):
This initiative supports students facing trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). It equips school leaders with tools and strategies to:
Identify and support students who have experienced trauma and other adverse childhood experiences
Foster resilience through safe and supportive environments
By addressing trauma, the program creates a more understanding and supportive school climate.
Second Step SEL and Bullying Prevention Units:
Second Step programs provide structured, evidence-based SEL instruction. Key components include:
Age-appropriate SEL lessons that build emotional regulation, empathy, and problem-solving skills
Dedicated Bullying Prevention Units for Grades K–5 that teach students how to:
Recognize bullying
Report it safely
Refuse to participate
Supplemental resources from the Committee for Children enhance these lessons, supporting a holistic prevention strategy.
LEAD – Law Enforcement Against Drugs ("Too Good for Drugs," K–5):
This program is a proactive, school-based partnership with law enforcement that promotes:
Personal safety and healthy decision-making
Drug, alcohol, and violence prevention
Social-emotional and goal-setting skills
By reinforcing self-confidence and awareness, LEAD supports personal safety and helps students avoid risky behaviors.