Adolescent Health Program
Abstinence Education

The 1996 welfare reform law enacted by Congress created the Section 510 Abstinence Education Grant Program, funded at $50 million each year.  States are eligible to receive a portion of these funds based on a formula.  Nebraska’s formulated allocation of the Section 510 funding is $218,740 annually.

Nebraska Abstinence Education Program funds have been used to implement programming at the community level.  Local abstinence initiatives have been sustained through sub-grant awards in communities reaching across the state.  Communities implement programs designed to:

• reduce the proportion of adolescents who engage in premarital sexual activity, including but not limited to sexual intercourse;

• reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies among adolescents; and

• reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents.

Since communicating abstinence education to various target populations requires a number of difference approaches, activities may include mentoring, counseling, and adult supervision to promote abstinence from sexual activity.  Organizations and entities receiving funds for abstinence education must adhere to programming that complies with the definition of abstinence education as defined by law.

Nebraska has awarded sub grants to organizations in nine communities beginning October 1, 2006.  Other program activities for FY 2007 include a publication of a quarterly program newsletter, mobilization activities in selected sites and televised educational messages.

For more information, contact:
Linda Henningsen
Office of Lifespan Health, Adolescent Health Program
(402) 471-0538 or 1-800-801-1122
linda.henningsen@dhhs.ne.gov

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