Copyright 2023 Marline E. Pearson
iv
For the University of Louisville study, not all the content of Love Notes was taught. It
was condensed to fit their camp model design. To make it clear for those who desire
to adhere strictly to the Evidence-Based Program (EBP) model, all the supplemental
content—which we encourage you to use—will be clearly marked by shaded boxes. It is
optional for those who want to strictly follow the EBP model.
Love Notes builds assets and strengthens protective factors. It appeals to young people’s
aspirations rather than merely emphasizing what they must avoid. Love Notes engages
young people in learning more about themselves and supports them in cultivating a
vision for their future. Love Notes empowers youth with the skills needed to further their
own personal development, form and maintain healthy relationships, make wise sexual
decisions, and work towards success with education and employment.
All youth, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, have attractions,
emotions, and desires for healthy friendships relationships. All youth need skills
and knowledge to navigate their relationships and intimate lives. This is an inclusive
curriculum. Sexual and gender minority youth is increasingly becoming the common
term. But because it has not yet become widely adopted by youth themselves, we will
be using the more commonly recognized term LGBTQ.
Building Models and Confidence for Healthy Relationships
Many young people today lack models of healthy relationships. A Child Trends survey of
vulnerable youth reported that while respondents could list general qualities for healthy
relationships when asked if they saw many around them, they said, “No.” Sadly, they
said they had little confidence they would be able to achieve a healthy relationship
despite their aspirations to develop one.2
Love Notes offers young people—including young parents—knowledge of what a
healthy relationship is and isn’t. Young people explore the building blocks of healthy
relationships and are encouraged to identify relationship qualities they find personally
important. They gain insights and skills for handling attractions and choosing partners
wisely. Participants learn some of the key components of healthy relationships that
research has identified. They are able to use these as a guide for what to pay attention
to and find out about a person to whom they are attracted. They are provided several
iv
For the University of Louisville study, not all the content of Love Notes was taught. It
was condensed to fit their camp model design. To make it clear for those who desire
to adhere strictly to the Evidence-Based Program (EBP) model, all the supplemental
content—which we encourage you to use—will be clearly marked by shaded boxes. It is
optional for those who want to strictly follow the EBP model.
Love Notes builds assets and strengthens protective factors. It appeals to young people’s
aspirations rather than merely emphasizing what they must avoid. Love Notes engages
young people in learning more about themselves and supports them in cultivating a
vision for their future. Love Notes empowers youth with the skills needed to further their
own personal development, form and maintain healthy relationships, make wise sexual
decisions, and work towards success with education and employment.
All youth, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, have attractions,
emotions, and desires for healthy friendships relationships. All youth need skills
and knowledge to navigate their relationships and intimate lives. This is an inclusive
curriculum. Sexual and gender minority youth is increasingly becoming the common
term. But because it has not yet become widely adopted by youth themselves, we will
be using the more commonly recognized term LGBTQ.
Building Models and Confidence for Healthy Relationships
Many young people today lack models of healthy relationships. A Child Trends survey of
vulnerable youth reported that while respondents could list general qualities for healthy
relationships when asked if they saw many around them, they said, “No.” Sadly, they
said they had little confidence they would be able to achieve a healthy relationship
despite their aspirations to develop one.2
Love Notes offers young people—including young parents—knowledge of what a
healthy relationship is and isn’t. Young people explore the building blocks of healthy
relationships and are encouraged to identify relationship qualities they find personally
important. They gain insights and skills for handling attractions and choosing partners
wisely. Participants learn some of the key components of healthy relationships that
research has identified. They are able to use these as a guide for what to pay attention
to and find out about a person to whom they are attracted. They are provided several
