Background:   Both the Florida Department of Health and Governor Jeb Bush have requested $4 million in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds and $1 million in General Revenue dollars to continue the state's sexual abstinence education efforts.  These funds are essential to maintain 18 abstinence projects in 14 counties of the state, continue media efforts, evaluate the programs, and meet growing needs for abstinence education.

The Florida House and Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Sub-Committees met last week to draft budget recommendations.  The Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate are proposing dramatic funding decreases for abstinence education.

• Let them know it is essential that Abstinence Education funds be included in the budget.
  
• Tell them that in the past year the following abstinence education services were provided:
  **  50,004 youths, 9-18 years of age, participated in local projects
        *   21,579 Males 9-18 years of age
        *   951 parents/guardians/significant adults
  
• 138 new abstinence partnerships were formed that support local efforts in working with youths
  
• Statewide abstinence media campaign. Television and radio spots directed at young teens, Latino youth and adults.  The abstinence website has received over 15,962 visitors since launched in June 2000.
  
• Statewide evaluation of abstinence programs is being conducted by Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
  
• Abstinence Until Marriage Conference (March 14-17, 2001).  There were over 450 youths and 175 adults in attendance preliminary evaluations were extremely positive.
  
• A recent HRSA $17 million SPRANS funding opportunity for abstinence-only education services resulted in 31 proposals from local Florida communities out of 400 nationwide.
  
• Miami-based abstinence-only education project is one of five sites nationwide undergoing a rigorous evaluation by Mathematica, Inc.  The program has been running since 1994.  There has been only one pregnancy reported during the intervention year, by this program since its inception in 1994.  A federal project officer from the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Meredith Kelsey, states this project is one of the most comprehensive and promising models of abstinence-only education in the nation.