Abstinence Plus and Adoption Education Program 2008

Program Purpose

To create guidelines for the development of abstinence and adoption education programs with the purpose of reducing unplanned pregnancies and abortions. (Amended Substitute House Bill 119 – June 30, 2007).

Background

Teen birth rates are on the rise nationally and in Ohio. For the first time since 1991, the United States has seen an increase in births to females’ ages 15-19, which rose 3 percent between 2005 and 2006 to 40.5 percent. Similarly, Ohio’s birth rate for youth ages 15-19 years increased by 2.5 percent between the same time period to 41.9 percent.

It should be noted that federal funds are still available to those communities that wish to continue to promote an abstinence-only message.  Communities are able to access federal funds directly through the Community Based-Abstinence Education funds: 

·         http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants  and Adolescent Family Life

·         http://www.hhs.gov/opa/familylife  without the involvement of state government 

In June 2007, Governor Ted Strickland signed Ohio’s budget bill which included language to support a program for Ohio’s youth that offers abstinence education as part of a comprehensive approach to teen pregnancy prevention, and provides a more complete health picture to our teens.  Included in the development of these program guidelines will be a new component on adoption as an option for unintended pregnancy. 

Contact us:
Mailing address:
Ohio Department of Health
Abstinence Plus and Adoption Education
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: (614) 466-1335
FAX: (614) 644-9850

E-mail: BCHSSD@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 8/26/2008

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