The Title V Abstinence Education Program

As part of the welfare-reform act of 1996, congress authorized a $50 million of federal funds for five years to be provided to the states in the form of block grants to promote abstinence until marriage. When combined with required state matching funds of three ($3.00) for every four federal dollars ($4.00), $437 million will be available to support the abstinence message during the duration of the program.

The Title V program requires the states to fund education that:

has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;
Teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school-age children.
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;
Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
Teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
Teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child’s parents and society;
Teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and
Teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.

Individuals interested in applying for these funds should contact their state department of education.