Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HARNESS Project?

The HARNESS Project is a comprehensive sexual health education framework grounded in the 5-Part MATCH system. It provides evidence-based, trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum for educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. HARNESS stands for protection that empowers through knowledge, communication, and strategic planning.

What is the MATCH framework?

MATCH is a 5-pillar framework for sexual health protection:

• M - Medications (PrEP, PEP, vaccines)
• A - Awareness (testing and status knowledge)
• T - Tools (condoms and barriers)
• C - Communication (consent and boundary scripts)
• H - Habits (planning and maintenance)

Who should use the HARNESS curriculum?

HARNESS is designed for healthcare professionals, educators (high school and beyond), community leaders, clinical trainers, and anyone committed to advancing sexual health education. The curriculum is appropriate for adult learners (18+) and workshop settings.

How long does the HARNESS curriculum take to teach?

The complete HARNESS curriculum consists of 13 lessons organized into 5 modules, totaling 12-15 hours of delivery time. Modules range from 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on depth and interactive activities included.

What does trauma-informed mean in sexual health education?

Trauma-informed education recognizes that many learners have experienced trauma and structures content, activities, and language to be healing rather than re-traumatizing. HARNESS uses compassionate language, offers content warnings, provides agency and choice to participants, and creates psychologically safe learning environments.

Is HARNESS LGBTQ+ inclusive?

Yes. HARNESS is explicitly LGBTQ+ affirming and designed to address the specific sexual health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Content includes same-sex transmission risks, affirming language around gender identity and sexual orientation, and protection strategies for all sexual practices.

What is SafER sex versus safe sex?

SafER sex is a harm-reduction approach that acknowledges protection is a practice, not a destination. Unlike the binary 'safe/unsafe' framing, SafER recognizes that multiple layers of protection work together. It's a flexible, realistic approach to sexual health that meets people where they are.

What is PrEP and who should take it?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a daily medication that prevents HIV infection with 99% effectiveness when taken as prescribed. It's recommended for people with substantial HIV risk, including those with multiple partners, partners of unknown status, sex workers, trans individuals with specific risk factors, and others. Read our complete PrEP guide for more information.

What does U=U mean (Undetectable = Untransmittable)?

U=U means that when someone living with HIV takes antiretroviral therapy (ART) and maintains an undetectable viral load, it is medically impossible to transmit HIV sexually. This breakthrough science has transformed HIV from a transmission risk to a manageable health condition and dismantles stigma around serodiscordant relationships.

Are condoms still important if someone is on PrEP?

Yes. While PrEP is highly effective for HIV prevention, condoms provide additional protection against other STIs. The HARNESS approach uses combination prevention—multiple layers including PrEP, condoms, regular testing, and communication—to create comprehensive protection.

How often should someone get STI tested?

Current guidelines recommend STI testing at least once yearly for sexually active adults. More frequent testing (every 3-6 months) is recommended for those with multiple partners, inconsistent barrier use, or who are on PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider about a testing schedule that fits your risk profile.

What materials are included in the HARNESS curriculum package?

The HARNESS curriculum includes: 13 detailed lesson plans, facilitator's guide (200+ pages), participant workbook (150+ pages), 88+ presentation slides, 18 activity and discussion cards, assessment tools, and implementation guides. All materials are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and fully editable.

What is the cost of the HARNESS curriculum?

Pricing varies by package and use case. The complete curriculum package is premium pricing. View our pricing page or contact us for a custom quote for your organization's needs.

Do facilitators need special training to teach HARNESS?

While the materials are designed to be facilitator-friendly, we offer professional development and train-the-trainer programs to ensure educators feel confident and competent. These trainings cover facilitation skills, trauma-informed practices, and content mastery.

Can HARNESS be used in school settings?

HARNESS is primarily designed for adult education (18+), but content can be adapted for college/university courses and professional training. The advanced medical information and explicit language are designed for adult learners. Schools should review age-appropriate recommendations with Christopher Zacharie.

Can we customize the HARNESS curriculum for our organization?

Yes. All HARNESS materials are fully editable and can be customized to reflect your organization's values, context, and audience. We can also consult on custom workshop design and implementation strategies. Contact us to discuss customization options.

What support and resources are available after purchasing?

Customers receive access to a resource library, implementation guides, facilitator support, and updates on new materials. Professional development and ongoing consultation are available. We provide ongoing support to ensure successful curriculum implementation in your setting.

What does the HARNESS interactive app do?

The HARNESS App is a free, no-signup-required web app that helps users create personalized sexual health plans using the MATCH framework. Features include the MATCH Puzzle Chain, SafER sex agreement builder, 40+ ritual cards, visual library, daily affirmations, and 4 emoji companions for guidance.

What workshop formats does HARNESS offer?

HARNESS offers three flexible workshop formats: 90-minute introductions, half-day deep dives, and full-day comprehensive trainings. All can be customized for your organization's needs and delivered in-person or virtually. Contact us for workshop availability and pricing.

Where can I find sexual health resources and information?

Visit our resources page for a comprehensive collection of sexual health education tools, videos, infographics, and reference materials. We also offer a blog with detailed guides on topics like PrEP, communication, and protection strategies.