HHS Blocks Abstinence Education As 'Unallowable'

Advocates of the 'risk-avoidance' approach of abstinence education defend its effectiveness.
by Mary Frances Boyle
09/12/2011

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services released a new Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for initiatives that promote healthy marriages — as long as those projects don’t include abstinence-education programs.

FOA applicants are required to include a written statement pledging that abstinence education is not a part of their programs. In fact, teaching abstinence is defined as an “unallowable activity.”

Groups are asked to make a “commitment to not use funds for unauthorized activities, including, but not limited to, an abstinence-education program.” the rest image