Sexuality Education for Life - Minnesota Coalition

July 2007 E-Newsletter

Sexuality Education for Life - Minnesota is a coalition of educational, religious, health, social service and advocacy organizations, as well as concerned individuals that promotes lifelong healthy sexuality by advocating for policies on comprehensive sexuality education and access to confidential health care services.

National Update

Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Remain Fully Funded

Despite earlier positive signs that the new Congress would reduce funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, recent decisions have sex education advocates concerned.  Two of the three federal funding streams are up for renewal this year (Title V Section 510 and Community Based Abstinence Education (CBAE)).  Funding for Title V has received a 3-month extension and funding for CBAE is currently under debate.     

National advocacy groups continue to push for an end to these programs.  Sex Ed for Life is monitoring this issue and will keep you informed as the situation progresses.  To read in more detail about the current status of Title V, click here  http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=46227 and here http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/07/02/AM200707023.html.  To read in more detail about the current status of CBAE, click here http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=45441

In the News

SIECUS Releases State Profiles 2006: A Portrait of Sexuality Education and Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs in the States

This publication details sexuality education and abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in states and communities across the country during Fiscal Year 2006. It contains information on each state’s laws, recently proposed legislation, and noteworthy events related to sexuality education. The profiles also detail the amount of money that states and state-based entities receive for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and how these funds are used.
http://www.siecus.org/policy/states/index.html 

Sex Education Victories in Colorado and Kansas

Recently, both Colorado and Kansas have shifted towards comprehensive sexuality education for students. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1292 into law on May 14, 2007 and the Kansas Board of Education voted six to three in favor of the state’s new comprehensive sexuality education standards on May 8, 2007.

http://www.siecus.org/policy/PUpdates/pdate0325.html

Montgomery County, Maryland Board of Education Approves New Sex Education Curriculum

School officials announced that the Maryland State Board of Education ruled in favor of a sex-education curriculum for Montgomery County that includes new lessons on condom use and sexual orientation. The curriculum was adopted last month for use in the county's middle and high schools. http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=45601

 AP/Houston Chronicle Examines Debate on Initiative That Aims To Reduce Number of Unintended Pregnancies, Abortions

The AP/Houston Chronicle recently examined the debate concerning the “Prevention First Act”.  The bill consists of several initiatives aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies, including funding for comprehensive sexuality education.

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=45473

The Nation Publishes Expose on the Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Industry

The Nation recently published a lengthy expose on the many mutually beneficial and lucrative financial relationships in the abstinence -only-until-marriage industry. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070618/reynolds.

 

Resources

NEW! Fast Facts from Healthy Teen Network
Healthy Teen Network announces the release of two NEW Fast Facts fact sheets on the following topics in adolescent health:

Comprehensive Sexuality Education (PDF)

Abstinence-Only-Until- Marriage Programs (PDF)

Research

Sex Education and Other Programs that Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & STIs
This report provides an at-a-glance look and overview of existing research on programs proven effective by rigorous evaluation. (Science and Success: Sex Education and Other Programs That Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections. Advocates for Youth).

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Sexuality Education for Life-Minnesota is a coalition of educational, religious, health, social service and advocacy organizations, as well as concerned individuals that promotes lifelong healthy sexuality by advocating for policies on comprehensive sexuality education and access to confidential health care services. Sexuality Education for Life-Minnesota is coordinated by Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting and Minnesota AIDS Project.

The SEFL Coalition is supported by the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, and the Public Welfare Foundation.

For more information on the SEFL Coalition, go to Sex Ed for Life. Please forward this information on to others interested in supporting the health of Minnesota youth and encourage them to sign up at Sex Ed for Life.

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, e-mail Lorie Alveshere, subject line: unsubscribe Sex Ed for Life.