This week I’ve received two intriguing e-mails in regards to President Obama’s proposed budget. The funds directly linked to the Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) have started quite the debate. The National Abstinence Education Association argues that the budget “shows hostility toward the Sexual Risk Avoidance abstinence education message.” The budget calls for the elimination of the only federal funding stream remaining that supports abstinence as the primary prevention for sex education.

On the other hand The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy statement. “Given the fiscal pressures facing our country, we are pleased that the President’s budget maintains funding for important programs to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy, with a continued commitment to evidence-based approaches,” said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Below is an outline of where the funds will be allocated and why:

•  Provides level funding for the Office of Adolescent Health Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP) at just under $105 million. This continues $75 million for Tier 1 grants and $25 million for Tier 2 grants, with the remainder for program support, and maintains existing language establishing standards of evidence and evaluation.
•   Reduces evaluation funding for TPPP from $8.5 million in FY 2012 to $4.2 million for FY 2013.
•    Does not provide an additional year of funding for the new $5 million abstinence program included in the FY 2012 appropriations bill.
•    Maintains level funding for several multi-year mandatory programs, including $75 million for the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), $50 million in budget authority for State Abstinence Education Grants, and $25 million for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund.
•    Proposes approximately $297 million for the Title X family planning program, which is essentially level funding from FY 2012.
•   Provides $640 million for the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, which essentially level-funds the program from its FY 2012 level. (Both Title X and the MCH Block Grant were subject to additional across-the-board cuts for FY 2012 after the funds were appropriated).
• Provides $3.1 billion for community health centers, an increase of $300 million over the FY 2012 level. This includes discretionary funding of $1.2 billion and $1.9 billion in mandatory funds from the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Now you decide… The budget suggested by the President does continually assist programs that are effectively bettering teen health and provides more assistance to teens less fortunate, such as those in foster care. I know you all want to know my clear and direct take on this budget. However, I would like to discuss your thoughts first and why you have chosen to believe what you do.

Call to Action: Figure out if this budget will directly influence your community for the better why or why not? Please comment below. Thanks