PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL ENSURE YOUNG PEOPLE GET EVIDENCE-BASED SEX EDUCATION
(Washington, D.C.) — Late yesterday, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester introduced a bill entitled, the PREP Reauthorization Act, to extend the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) for five years. PREP provides $75 million annually to states, tribes and communities to offer evidenced-based programs to some of the most marginalized youth. This includes youth who are homeless, youth in foster care, young people of color, rural youth, young people who are pregnant or parenting and young people living in communities with high unplanned pregnancy rates.
Funding is currently authorized through fiscal year 2019. By extending funding for another five years (through fiscal year 2024), this bill will allow states, tribes and communities more stability to plan and serve young people without disruption.
“The reauthorization of PREP ensures that hundreds of thousands of young people will receive high-quality, evidence-based education that helps them stay healthy and determine their futures,” said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, Power to Decide. “We are thankful to Representative Blunt Rochester for her leadership and look forward to working with her and other members of Congress to quickly reauthorize this valuable program and ensure that more young people get the sexual health information and life skills they need.”
Evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs including PREP enjoy broad public approval: 85% of adults (75% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats) favor maintaining federal funding for such programs.
“As an organization dedicated to the health and well-being of all young people – no matter who they are or where they live – we know how important PREP is to ensure all young people have the opportunity to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child,” continued Ehrlich.
More information about PREP can be found here.
Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
