THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & ABSTINENCE-ONLY-UNTIL-MARRIAGE PROGRAMS
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & ABSTINENCE-ONLY-UNTIL-MARRIAGE PROGRAMS | |
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For more than two decades, the federal government has consistently funded abstinence-only-until-marriage programs despite a lack of research suggesting that these programs are effective. In fact, funding for these unproven programs has grown exponentially since 1996. Currently, the federal government invests in three separate funding streams devoted to abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. It is important to realize, however, that additional pots of money exist in numerous places within the federal budget. For example, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has earmarked over 3 million dollars in federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in his home state of Pennsylvania. Organizations such as the Abstinence Clearinghouse and the Medical Institute (formerly known as the Medical Institute for Sexual Health), also receive funds specially earmarked by Congress. And increasingly, abstinence-only-until-marriage providers are receiving funds through traditional HIV/AIDS- and STD-prevention accounts such as those administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. For specific information on abstinence-only-until-marriage funding in your state, see SIECUS State Profiles at http://www.siecus.org/policy/states/index.html. THE THREE FUNDING STREAMS Adolescent Family Life Act The Adolescent Family Life Act (AFLA) was quietly signed into law in 1981 without hearings or floor votes in the U.S. Congress. In addition to providing support for pregnant and parenting teens, AFLA was established to promote “chastity” and “self-discipline.” In recent years, approximately $13 million of AFLA’s total funding is allocated to abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Title V — Welfare Reform Act The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Act (TANF), better known as “welfare reform,” was signed into law in 1996. Included with welfare reform was Title V of the Social Security Act which established a new funding stream providing grants to states for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Similar to AFLA, this program was enacted quietly, without extended public or legislative debate. Under Title V, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allocates $50 million in federal funds each year to the states. States that choose to accept these funds must match every four federal dollars with three state-raised dollars. Every state, with the exception of California, has accepted Title V funds. The states are then responsible for using the funds or distributing them to community-based organizations, schools, or media campaigns. With the passage of Title V came an eight-point federal definition of “abstinence education.” All programs that receive Title V funds must adhere to this definition which specifies that “a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of all human sexual activity” and that “sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects.” (See the complete definition below.) Although programs do not have to emphasize each of these 8 points, programs cannot contradict any of them. Title V was originally authorized for five years, 1998-2002. Although this program has not been officially reauthorized as of early 2005, it remains in operation under agreements that continue funding and it will receive $50 million in federal funds in Fiscal Year 2005. Community-Based Abstinence Education In October 2000, the federal government created yet another funding stream to support abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Under this third funding stream, originally known as Special Projects of Regional and National Significance–Community- Based Abstinence Education (SPRANS–CBAE), the federal government awards grants directly to state and local organizations. Until recently, SPRANS-CBAE was administered within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. For Fiscal Year 2005, however, this funding stream was moved to HHS’ Administration for Children and Families and is now referred to simply as Community-Based Abstinence Education. Whereas under Title V funding, states ultimately decide which programs receive funding, all decisions regarding CBAE funding are made at the federal level. In addition, programs funded under CBAE must teach all eight points in the federal definition. Many view these stricter standards as an attempt by conservative lawmakers to gain greater control of funding. In fact, certain lawmakers have sought to prevent money from supporting media campaigns, youth development, and after-school programs, arguing that such programs dilute the abstinence message and violate the intent of the law. Funding for CBAE started in Fiscal Year 2001 at $20 million and increased to $100 million for Fiscal Year 2005.
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