NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Availability of Title V State Abstinence Education Grant Program Funds Through Small Grants to Abstinence-Only Education to Youth Ages 12 to 17
[38 Pa.B. 7122]
[Saturday, December 27, 2008]The Department of Health (Department) Bureau of Family Health (Bureau) is accepting grant applications, using the Commonwealth's no-bid procurement procedures, for activities which promote and support decisions to abstain from sexual activity until marriage by providing abstinence education services as defined by section 510(b)(2) of the Social Security Act. Eligible activities must occur between January 1, 2009, and September 30, 2009. A maximum of $5,000 is available. Applicants must be able to provide an 81.1% match as described later in these guidelines.
With the purpose of decreasing the number of teen pregnancies and thereby impacting the number of births to unmarried mothers in this Commonwealth, small grants are available to support ongoing, short term or single activities, events or services, and materials or equipment to increase the number of teens (ages 12 to 17) committed to abstaining from sexual activity until marriage by achieving the following objectives:
1. To increase the knowledge of 12 to 17 year old adolescents related to:
a. The characteristics of healthy relationships and stable marriages.
b. The long-term psychological, health and economic consequences of becoming a teen parent.
c. Influences of the media on sexual onset expectations, self-image and the like.
d. Transmission and consequences of sexually transmitted disease.
e. Relationship of risk-taking behaviors, such as substance abuse, criminal behavior and tobacco use and sexual onset.
f. Components of effective relationship communication and negotiating skills.
g. Human reproductive system, male and female.
2. To increase the self-efficacy of 12 to 17 year old adolescents related to their:
a. Belief in their ability to impact their own future.
b. Ability to set long term life goals.
c. Experience in identifying their own values.
d. Belief in the value of planning for a future career.
In the narrative, applicants must demonstrate how they will meaningfully address each of the following eight elements of the Federal definition of abstinence education (section 510(b)(2) of the Social Security Act) listed. Applicants should not or under-represent any of the elements in their program. The A-H elements of the Federal definition of abstinence education are:
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.
H. Teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.
Eligible applicants are any Pennsylvania public and private organization, foundation or community-based agency with a Federal Tax ID number. Individuals may not apply. Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to:
* Public and private schools
* Colleges and universities
* Faith-based youth groups
* Ethnic-based youth groups
* Community groups/coalitions
* Local governments
* Social/human service agencies
* Community health centers
Applicants must match their request with an 81.1% match. For example, if you request $5,000 then your match will be $4,055. The match must come from local government or private funding sources or from in-kind support. Provision of matching funds is a Federal requirement. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Department's web page (www.health.state.pa.us/abstinence) for an electronic version of this application, other informative materials and links to relevant web sites, or to call the Bureau to receive a copy in the mail.
Up to 75 awards of $5,000 or less are available. Funds will be distributed on a first come first served basis. Applicants with a minimum score of seven (see award determination in the application on the Department's web page) will be approved and receive an award letter. There is no application deadline for these small grants. Check the Department's web page to determine whether funding opportunities remain. A one-time reimbursement of actual project expenses only occurs after a final invoice and final report is received and approved by the Department.
For more information visit the web site or call Wanda Godar, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, 7th Floor East, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 772-2763, wgodar@state.pa.us.
A. EVERETTE JAMES,
Acting Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-2352. Filed for public inspection December 26, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]
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