For Immediate Release:
September 20, 2005

Contact: Naina Dhingra 202-243-8282
or Adrienne Verrilli 212-819-9770 x325

New York, NY - The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. ( SIECUS ) applauds the decision by the Maine Health and Human Services' Public Health Department no longer to apply for and accept federal abstinence-only-until-marriage funding through Title V of the Social Security Act. In FY 2004, Maine received almost $175,000 through the federal Title V program to teach abstinence-only-until-marriage. Maine now joins California and Pennsylvania in their wise decisions to reject these restrictive dollars.

"Maine again leads the nation in adopting what works best in helping young people lead healthier, happier lives," said William Smith, vice president for public policy at SIECUS. "Maine understands that there is no need for the extremism that pits abstinence against other issues such as teaching about condoms and other forms of contraception. This important decision is based on the time-tested and proven evidence that finds teaching abstinence alongside other issues, not in isolation from them, provides the best long term outcomes for youth," Smith concluded.

"We thank Maine 's Health and Human Services' Public Health Department for having the courage to refuse these funds and putting the wellbeing of our young people ahead of a political agenda," said Nicole Clegg, director of public affairs for the Family Planning Association of Maine. "The refusal of these funds sends a clear message that Maine values and respects its youth," Clegg continued. "With the support of SIECUS and others, we continue to advance public health policies that have been proven to reduce teen pregnancy rates and promote healthy behaviors among youth," Clegg concluded.

Back in 2002, Maine's then-Governor Angus King (I) signed into law An Act to Expand Family Life Education Services (LD 1603). The bill, passed by the legislature with widespread bi-partisan support, inserted a definition for "family life education" into state education statutes and expanded Family Life Education Services. The law's definition of "family life education" recognizes that sexuality education should be medically accurate, inclusive of information on both abstinence and contraception, age-appropriate, and taught in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

"Today, Maine finds itself in the same position it was three years ago, ahead of the curve in ensuring that young people have the information and education they need to make responsible and healthy decisions," Smith said. "I am honored to be able to join the Plain Truth for Maine Youth coalition to commemorate this important decision," Smith continued.

After 20-years and more than a $1 billion tax payer dollar investment, no abstinence-only-until marriage program has even been proven effective in helping young people in the long term. In fact, some components of these programs have been shown to have a negative impact on young people's sexual health, potentially exposing them to harm. Moreover, more than a dozen state evaluations have also failed to show that these programs are effective.

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