History of Funding for Abstinence Education in Ohio

State-guided abstinence education funding began at the federal level with passage by U.S. Congress of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. Congress determined that the primary factor predicting welfare dependence is out-of-wedlock pregnancy and birth. Because previous strategies were inadequate to address the continuing escalation of this problem, Congress allocated monies for programs that have as their "exclusive purpose" to teach abstinence education as defined by Title V Section 510 A-H guidelines. Programs successful in receiving funding must fully comply with these guidelines.

"For purposes of this section, the term 'abstinence education' means an educational or motivational program which--

1. Has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;
2. Teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school-age children;
3. Teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems;
4. Teaches that a mutually faithful, monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
5. Teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
6. Teaches that bearing children out of wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents and society;
7. Teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increase vulnerability to sexual advances; and
8. Teaches the importance of attaining self sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity." ( Title V, Section 510, A-H, Federal Welfare Reform Act)

The Ohio General Assembly voted to supplement federal funds within the Ohio Biennial Budget beginning in FY 2002. Both funding streams are managed by the Ohio Department of Health Abstinence Education Program. Community initiatives receive funding for abstinence until marriage education proposals through a competitive grant process.

Last Updated: 4/18/05

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