Fact Sheet: Community-Based Abstinence Education Program

History and Purpose

The Community-Based Abstinence Education Program supports public and private entities in developing and implementing abstinence education programs for adolescents, ages 12 through 18, in communities across the country. Projects funded by the program must promote abstinence education as defined by Section 510 of Title V of the Social Security Act. The focus of these programs is to educate young people and create an environment within communities that supports teen decisions to postpone sexual activity until marriage.

The most recent funding for the Community-Based Abstinence Education Program was appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the FY 2008 appropriations bill. Originally administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau since 2001, the Community-Based Abstinence Education Program was redelegated by the Secretary in February 2005 to the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB).

FYSB's mission is to provide national leadership on youth and family issues. The Bureau promotes positive outcomes for children, youth, and families by supporting a wide range of comprehensive services and collaborations at the local, Tribal, State, and national levels.

Services Provided

Curricula developed or selected for use in the Community-Based Abstinence Education Program must address all eight elements of the Section 510 abstinence education definition. Abstinence education is defined as "an educational or motivational program, which:

(A) Has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;

(B) Teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;

(C) 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;

(D) Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;

(E) Teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;

(F) Teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society;

(G) Teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and

(H) Teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.''

Abstinence Education is needed because it is a preventive approach addressing the problems associated with teenage sexual activity and nonmarital childbearing.

Sexual activity among teens has health, emotional, and social consequences. Nearly half of all new cases of sexually transmitted diseases occur among young people aged 15-24. Among teens, sexual activity is associated with depressive symptoms, especially for girls. Also, youth who are sexually active are more likely to participate in other risky behaviors like drinking and using drugs. Abstinence Education programs provide a framework for sexual decisionmaking so that youth can avoid these risks.

Program Funding Process

Any public or private entity, including a nonprofit or faith-based organization, is eligible to apply for funding through the Community-Based Abstinence Education Program. Projects must be community based and must involve an educational intervention.

Grant project periods are for 5 years. There is no match requirement for these grants. In FY 2009, 168 programs received funding totaling $94.7 million.

For More Information

For further information about FYSB's Community-Based Abstinence Education Program, contact the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth, P.O. Box 13505, Silver Spring, MD 20911-3505; (301) 608-8098; fax: (301) 608-8721; e-mail: ncfy@acf.hhs.gov; Web site: ncfy.acf.hhs.gov.