SOAR
What is SOAR?
SOAR (Safety, Opportunities, All abilities, Resources) is an educational, weekly program for youth and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). Individuals with disabilities experience sexual assault at a rate seven times higher than individuals without disabilities (Shapiro, 2018), yet most young people with I/DD are left out of youth-based prevention programs.
SAVA’s SOAR Program eliminates this educational gap.
Using engaging activities, tools, discussions, and presentations, SOAR aims to reduce rates of sexual violence among youth and adults with I/DD. SOAR groups are held weekly and focus on bodily autonomy, healthy relationships, boundaries, and safety skills. Lessons are adapted to accommodate learners of varying needs and abilities.
SOAR History
In 2013, the SART Peers Coordinator in Poudre School District identified a gap in prevention programming for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) in adult day programs and created the SOAR Program. Originally called Healthy & Safe Sexuality for Individuals with Disabilities, this program was intended for young adults ages 18-21 in PSD’s transitional programs. SOAR expanded rapidly and demand grew exponentially over the next 10 years. In 2015, the program expanded into PSD’s Integrated Services classrooms. The program then expanded into Weld County in 2017, and SAVA forged a partnership with The Responsible Sex Education Institute (RSEI) and The Arc of Larimer and Weld Counties, again expanding the program scope and service areas.
In 2019, a SAVA prevention educator created a video series with local actors with IDD through a capstone project at UNC. In the 2020-2021 school year, the demand was clear and the need for a dedicated position was evident. SAVA created a dedicated position to coordinate the program, and SOAR was officially selected as the program name.
In 2025, SAVA’s Center's SOAR program was awarded with the Innovative Practices Award from the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA).
SOAR aims for all participants to:
Have a greater sense of their own bodily autonomy
Identify the characteristics of healthy relationships, boundaries, consent, and communication
Understand safety, including awareness of safe vs. unsafe touches and unhealthy relationship behaviors
Know how to seek help if they need it
A Story of Success
At the end of the year SOAR celebration, the SOAR coordinator was able to hear from a PSD parent about the impact of the program on her son’s life. When this woman’s son started classes in an integrated classroom in PSD, he also found a girlfriend. She realized she did not have the skills or resources to walk through puberty, dating and safety with a teenager with a disability. While searching for resources, she found SOAR and advocated to school staff for the inclusion of the program in their classroom. She now has increased confidence in her son’s ability to navigate this new relationship safely, to assert his boundaries and to respect the boundaries of his partner.
Watch SOAR’s Video series on boundaries, communication, consent, healthy relationships, dating, and romantic relationships.
Interested in bringing SOAR to your school?
Fill out the interest form below.
Prevention Interest Form
To learn more or to request SAVA Prevention Programming, please fill out the interest form below.
