A state-by-state analysis of federal abstinence-only program funding for fiscal year 2008 was released yesterday by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). The report examines the distribution of $176 million for abstinence-only programs through three major federal funding streams: the Adolescent Family Life Act, Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage funding, and Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) programs.
SIECUS’ vice president for public policy William Smith said in a press release that “Our report shows clear evidence that a paradigm shift is underway as the evidence continues to mount against abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and in favor of a more comprehensive approach to sex education. More and more states are beginning to send a message that they are unwilling to continue to support programs that place ideology over the health and futures of our nation’s young people…The time has come for Congress to listen to what states need and end the decade-long and failed expansion of abstinence-only-until-marriage programming.”
Some highlights from the report include:
– Seven states do not receive federal abstinence-only funding.
– More than half of the funds are distributed to 16 southern states.
– Nearly $20 million is distributed to Crisis Pregnancy Centers in 20 states.
