Following the removal of Title X benefits for teens under 18 in Texas, accessing contraceptives and reproductive health services became more than just a logistical challenge—it became an awkward one, requiring teens to involve their parents and guardians.
In a state with one of the highest teen pregnancy rates nationwide, this shift in decision-making created an opportunity to rethink how caregivers and teens approach the topic, transforming a universally dreaded rite of passage into a moment for meaningful education. In partnership with the Child Poverty Action Lab’s (CPAL) Trust Her initiative, we designed an experience that would make the process of receiving accurate information about reproductive health and contraception feel a little more natural—even enjoyable—for young people and their caregivers across Dallas County.
Together, we redefined how both groups could approach “the talk” and turn it into a supportive, team-oriented moment. Through Trust Her’s mobile pop-up service, we’re making sex ed a joyful experience that Dallas County can comfortably access in their community spaces like farmer’s markets and local street fairs. By opening up new, supportive pathways for reliable information around sexual and reproductive health, we equip young people and their caregivers with the tools and resources they need to confidently take charge of their bodies and futures.
Trust Her’s in-person and digital touchpoints invite young people and their caregivers to explore reproductive health services with ease at their own pace.
Where to Go? Who to Trust?
Speaking with teens, parents, guardians, local clinics, and teen-centered organizations in Dallas County, we uncovered a series of challenges teens faced in learning about sexual health. These pain points surfaced long before young people even considered accessing care at a clinic; many were unsure who they could trust when seeking reliable information, leading to significant gaps in their sexual health education.
For young people, misinformation, stigma, and fear of judgment made it difficult to have open, honest conversations with adult figures in particular. Privacy concerns added another layer of complexity, as many teens prioritized protecting their confidentiality, even at the expense of seeking proper help. This left many navigating a mix of myths and misconceptions as they sought advice from uninformed sources when trying to understand their healthcare options.
Parents and guardians, key players in this journey, were also often underprepared to provide their teens with adequate counseling. Many voiced their struggles with how to approach conversations about contraception with teens, fearing it might encourage sexual activity. Without proper resources or healthy past experiences of their own to guide them, they felt ill-equipped to engage, often avoiding conversations altogether.
Young people designing their ideal sexual health education experience.
Despite the discomfort felt by both groups, our research sessions, focus groups, and early testing made it clear that teens and their caregivers were eager for a new approach. They craved a version of sex ed that addressed their individual challenges while also fostering a space for mutual understanding and respect. Both groups wanted the tools, support, and confidence to have open conversations—something that would bridge the knowledge gap and strengthen their trust in one another.
Educational takeaways on contraception offered at the Trust Her booth.
Bringing Sex Ed to the Streets
What if, instead of searching for the right information, it found you right where you already were?
Our design for Trust Her’s mobile pop-up was rooted in this idea. To close the knowledge gap, we needed an in-person intervention that could reach as many people as possible across Dallas County. So why not meet young people, their parents, and guardians in the places they naturally gathered?
Alongside the Trust Her team, we designed a mobile pop-up experience that could expand or pare down to fit the available space, allowing the team to adapt to various locations. Choosing the venue for the pop-up was critical to the experience. By showing up at public events and spaces where people already felt at ease—like farmers’ markets and community gatherings—we created an environment for sexual health education that didn’t feel clinical or intimidating. Showing up in these familiar places sent a clear message: conversations about sexual health are normal and didn’t need to be shrouded in shame.
With an eye-catching setup stocked with must-have swag, educational takeaways, and welcoming furniture, our pop-up stopped passersby in their tracks, sparking conversations about reproductive and sexual health in environments that celebrated curiosity—everything associated with a typical visit to the clinic was left behind. Still, recognizing the importance of privacy, we outfitted the pop-up with curtained-off areas for one-on-one conversations that felt sensitive.
Beyond the aesthetic experience, Trust Her’s trained staff and parent ambassadors are equipped to engage both teens and parents, addressing the unique challenges each group faces. To support their conversations, our team designed a counselor toolkit with method cards and action plans to help guide teens and caregivers through their options. These personalized tools and human touch points ensure leaves knowing exactly what to do next.
Since the launch of Trust Her’s mobile pop-up experience, over 3,100 teens have been reached over 40 events, with more to come.
Read about Trust Her in the Dallas Morning News.
