NAEA Praises Congress for extending
funds for Abstinence Education
Long-term federal funding still needed for
continuity of programs
Washington, DC (September 28, 2007) – The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) supports Congress’s decision to extend Title V Funding for Abstinence Education through the end of 2007.
"The extension for Abstinence Education reveals the bi-partisan support for this best health message,” said Valerie Huber, Executive Director, NAEA, “and while extremely helpful, the short-term extension makes it challenging for states to implement the program. Abstinence Education providers need sustained funding for a minimum of one year in order to assure a dependable and consistent operation of their programs.”
An estimated 900 abstinence programs in schools and community centers across the U.S. will benefit from the extension of Title V Funding.
“This extension is a real victory for our message, but comprehensive sex education still receives ten times the amount of federal dollars as compared to Abstinence Education funding, in spite of the fact that when parents understand the difference between the two, parents prefer Abstinence Education two to one,” Huber said.
Title V funding will help support abstinence programs that teach youth how to build healthy relationships, increase self-worth and set appropriate boundaries in order to achieve future goals. Abstinence Education shares the realities of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and STD prevention. Accurate information about contraception is provided in an abstinence curriculum, but always within the context of abstinence as the healthiest choice
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About NAEA:
The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) is comprised of leading abstinence educators and supporters from across the U.S.
For more information:
http://www.abstinenceassociation.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patra Stephan, Communications Director,
202.248.5420