May 31, 2007

Media Stories

Conference Promotes Abstinence to Prevent AIDS
The Suffolk (VA) News-Herald, May 24, 2007

Evidence Shows That Lessons in 'No' Can Work
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 22, 2007

Guest Column: Authentic Abstinence Education
The Jacksonville (FL) Times-Union, May 22, 2007

Teens' Sex Risk Influenced by Peers
Earthtimes.org, May 21, 2007

Forum: Abstinence as the Best Policy
The Washington Times, May 20, 2007

Funding for Abstinence Likely to Drop
Associated Press, May 16, 2007

Pledge Holds Both Accountable
The Tucson (AZ) Citizen, May 15, 2007

Fund Abstinence Programs as Alternative to ‘Compromised Education,’ Cardinal Urges U.S. Congress
Catholic Online, May 10, 2007

Funding Opportunities

The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth maintains a listing of organizations identified as potential funding sources for abstinence education programs. The listing includes grant descriptions and contact information.

Adolescent Family Life (AFL) Demonstration Projects – Office of Public Health and Science (Grant No. PA-APH-07-001)
The primary purpose of the demonstration program is to find effective means, within the context of the family, of reaching pre-adolescent and adolescent children before they become sexually active and encouraging them to abstain from premarital sexual activity. Programs may also reach out to adolescents who have already become sexually active, encouraging them to return to abstinence and supporting them in doing so.
Deadline for applications: June 1, 2007

The Influence of Religiosity and Spirituality on Health Risk Behaviors in Children and Adolescents – National Institutes of Health
The purpose of this program is to study the effects of spirituality and religiosity on early alcohol and drug use and sexual behavior, particularly in the area of HIV transmission.
Deadline for applications: June 5, 2007

Recent Research

Friends’ Influence on Adolescents’ First Sexual Intercourse (2006)
The authors of this article, published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health [Volume 38(1):13-19], analyzed data from 2,436 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to determine the influence of peers on adolescents’ sexual behavior. The authors found that the higher the proportion of a youth’s friends who were sexually experienced, the greater the odds of sexual debut. They also found that odds of sexual debut were elevated among youth who believed they would gain the respect of peers by having sex. The authors conclude by encouraging programs to address norms for and perceptions of sexual behavior.

Asian American Adolescents' First Sexual Intercourse: Gender and Acculturation Differences (2006)
The authors of this article, published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health [Volume 28(1):28-36], examined responses of Asian American adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to identify factors that influence the decision to become sexually active. The authors found that the more acculturated that Asian American girls were, the more likely they were to have had sex. Additionally, medium and high levels of parental attachment were associated with decreased odds of sexual experience for Asian American girls. Binge drinking was associated with increased risk among girls, while tobacco use was associated with increased risk among boys. The authors therefore call for culturally sensitive prevention programs, ideally facilitated by Asian American young adults and including a component of parental involvement.

Upcoming Events

Abstinence Education Grantees Regional Training
CBAE Grantees and State Title V Coordinators in Regions 5 through 7
June 28–29, 2007
Chicago, IL – Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro
Deadline for conference registration is June 13, 2007
Deadline for hotel registration is May 29, 2007
Contact: Frank Bazela at abstinence@pal-tech.com
Note: Each grantee is invited to send one person; participation is limited to the first 50 people who register.

Other News/Misc.

Status of Fiscal Year 2007 Title V, Section 510 Abstinence Education Funding – Letter from Harry Wilson, Associate Commissioner, Family and Youth Services Bureau

New Technical Assistance Materials – Pal-Tech, Inc.
Program Evaluation: Practical Application for Project Directors – Audio recording of technical assistance conference call held March 22, 2007
Pornography: Uncovering the Truth – Webcast held March 28, 2007
Grants Management Technical Assistance Call on No-Cost Extensions – Handout and audio recording of technical assistance conference call held May 2, 2007

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2007-2012 (Draft)
The HHS Strategic Plan, including strategic goals regarding abstinence education, is now available for public comment.

Quote for the Day

"The point of abstinence is not just protecting oneself... The point is respect – respect for my spirit, respect for my mind, respect for my body, and respect for the other person."

(Emily Johns, Springfield (MO) News-Leader, May 21, 2007)