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Texas Rejects Federal Sex Education Funding - Again
The Dallas Observer reports that Texas has declined to apply for Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) funding for the second year in a row. This federal funding, which would have come to Texas for the asking, would have provided effective, Abstinence-Plus education for Texas adolescents. With the 3rd highest rate of teen births, and the 2nd highest percentage of repeat teen births, Texas sorely needs this funding for evidence-based programs.
Last year, Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) members and friends were tremendously disappointed when the state of Texas declined to apply for its $4.4 million share of these funds. The amount of funds that would have been available to Texas this year has not been stated, but likely to be similar to last year.
The PREP program, part of the Affordable Care Act (Health Reform), provides $75 million nationwide each year for 5 years to support proven effective Abstinence-Plus education for adolescents in communities and schools. PREP funds programs that teach about both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). PREP-funded programs must also cover at least three adult preparation subjects, such as healthy relationships, adolescent development, financial literacy, educational and career success, and healthy life skills.
Since our state government decided not to apply for PREP for 2 years, the funds allotted to Texas should become available to other Texas organizations for competitive grants in 2012. However, the U.S. Congress is considering measures to eliminate this provision of the program, which would mean Texas' share would not reach Texas adolescents.
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Clinics Closing; Access Declining
All across Texas, the deep cuts to preventive care and birth control are being felt. The 82nd Texas Legislature reduced Family Planning funding by two-thirds, reducing funding from $111 million to $37.9 million for the next 2 years. The Family Planning program provides checkups, screenings, and birth control -- not abortion -- for low-income individuals.
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) estimates that 180,000 women will lose access to preventive care and birth control this year. This means over 20,000 more unplanned births (at an average cost of $11,268, not counting infant care), and nearly $100 million in additional costs to Texas taxpayers.
Fifteen agencies were defunded, including 6 Planned Parenthood affiliates and 9 other clinics. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), such as CentroMed, were given priority for the family planning funding. However, FQHCs are busy and themselves facing reduced family planning funding; they will not be able to meet the additional need for services. The second priority for funding is public providers, such as University Health System (UHS). The third priority is specialty clinics, such as community family planning clinics and Planned Parenthood affiliates.
In San Antonio, UHS's funding was cut from approximately $1.8 million per year to $237,000 for the last 3 months of 2011. Future family planning funding for UHS is uncertain and likely to be much less. UHS will strive to serve as many women and men as possible, using CareLink and other funding sources, if possible. However, funding for contraceptives will likely be limited.
In 2010, CentroMed received $476,000 in state family planning funding. For the transition period of the last 3 months of 2011, CentroMed received over $97,000. Of course, funding levels for 2012 are not yet known. In addition, FQHCs like CentroMed often are so busy that their ability to increase the number served for family planning may be limited.
Planned Parenthood in San Antonio no longer receives funding through the state of Texas. While no San Antonio Planned Parenthood clinics will be closed, the clinic in Alice and one of two clinics in the Brownsville area will close. In San Antonio, no state funding means that private philanthropy will make possible a sliding fee scale for low-income Planned Parenthood clients.
In the Austin area, Planned Parenthood lost funding, as did People's Community Clinic and El Buen Samaritano clinic. These 3 providers saw cuts totaling $1.4 million, which provided care for 13,000 low-income women and men. Planned Parenthood of Hidalgo County has closed 4 of its 8 clinics and laid off half its staff. Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas will lose an estimated $5 million in funding. This means an estimated 30,000 low-income women in Dallas County will lose access to birth control.
Funding levels for January 2012 forward, with the reduced funding available, are not yet determined. Providers are submitting their funding proposals soon for the period beginning January 2012.
Along with other public health advocates, members and friends of the Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) are troubled by the drastic reduction in available services. The coalition will be working to tell the story of the effects of the family planning cuts in San Antonio. HFA will also work to help our community understand the importance of preventive care and birth control-and to distinguish family planning from abortion.
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 Another Successful Texas Campaign Conference Educators, health professionals, and advocates from around the state came together at the Capitol in Austin on October 20 for the Second Annual Statewide Conference of the Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (link). Entitled Teen Pregnancy in Texas: a Winnable Battle, the conference drew over 300 participants who heard about developments in the field and strategies for success. Dr. Susan Tortolero of UT Health laid out the big issue: teen pregnancy is an ADULT issue. As adults, we need to provide our youth with the tools and support they need to make healthy decisions. It is important that we understand that what is need is more than information. We all know the risks of eating a piece of chocolate cake...and yet, so many of us eat it anyway. We need to focus on proven solutions, and help our communities to access and use programs and strategies with proven effectiveness. Participants also heard about trends in the field; sex in the media; engaging the faith community; and much more. The Texas Campaign also introduced its first Executive Director, Valinda Bolton, who talked about the Campaign's strategies to "move the needle" in Texas. Conference materials are available on the TX Campaign website, and the conference presentations will be posted soon. |
Less than Half of Teens have had Sex; More Males using Condoms
A new report reveals that less than half of teen males and females have had sex, and the percentage of teen boys who used a condom the first time they had sex is on the rise.
The new data from National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) is based on in-person household interviews with a representative sample of over 4000 U.S. teenagers. In contrast to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the NSFG includes teens who are not in school.
In this survey, 43% of never-married females and 42% of males age 15-19 had ever had sexual experience. The most common reason given for not having sex was that it was against their religion or morals, followed by not wanting to get pregnant or get a female pregnant.
Since 1988, dramatic improvements in teen sexual activity and contraceptive use are apparent, although the differences between 2002 and 2006-2010 are not statistically significant.
Most teens (78% of females and 85% of males) used contraception the first time they had sex, most commonly using condoms. Since 2002, more males used condoms, and more males used condoms along with a partner's hormonal contraceptive. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of female teenagers who used hormonal methods other than a birth-control pill, such as injectables and the patch, at first sex.
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It's October; Let's Talk!
October is Let's Talk Month-a great time for parents and their teens to talk about sex, love, and relationships.
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has put together some wonderful videos to help break the ice and to help parents prepare. The videos feature teens telling parents in their own words when and how to start conversations, and what to say. There are also short videos to give parents the basics to get started-or to keep talking.
Parents are the first and most important "sexuality educators" for their children. Unfortunately, many parents are unaware of their power to influence their teens, but surveys of teens repeatedly show that parents have more influence than they realize.
Let's Talk Month is a national public education campaign celebrated in October and coordinated by Advocates for Youth. Let's Talk Month is an opportunity for all of us--community agencies, religious institutions, businesses, schools, media, parent groups and health providers-to encourage parent/child communication about sex, values, and relationships.
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Support Healthy Futures of Texas
Help us reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio!
For More Information,
Read our ANNUAL REPORT
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Healthy Futures of Texas is committed to reducing teen pregnancy rates in San Antonio by providing evidence-based programs to young people and by providing workshops that empower parents to communicate with their teens about sex. We advocate for accurate and effective education and for increased access to health services, and we're working to create a healthy social norm regarding teen sexuality and parenthood.
See our 2010 Annual Report for more information.
Have questions or comments? Email us at info@healthyfuturestx.org. We want to hear from you! |
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Contact Information: Healthy Futures of Texas
address: 2300 W. Commerce, Ste. 203
San Antonio, Texas, 78207
phone: 210.223.4589
email: info@healthyfuturestx.org
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