Iowa is # 17!

In late February, 2008, Governor Chet Culver decided to reject federal funding for the state’s abstinence-only education program provided under Title V of the Social Security Act.  Iowa became the 17th state to reject federal funding and this will become effective starting Fiscal Year 2009. 

Governor Culver’s decision came shortly after Dr. Doug Kirby of ETR Associates presented at FutureNet’s State Policy Briefing at which he discussed both abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education programs.  Kirby’s research, published in Emerging Answers 2007: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Disease, concluded that the only programs with strong evidence to delay sexual initiation were comprehensive sex education programs.  Sex education programs that emphasize both abstinence and the use of condoms and contraception are realistic and most effective in achieving positive sexual health outcomes in adolescents.

Click Here to view the FutureNet press release regarding Culver's rejection of abstinence-only funding. 

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Governor Culver Signs Sex Ed Bill On April 20, 2007

On April 20, Gov. Chet Culver signed into law a bill requiring that sex education taught in Iowa schools be based on research. HF 611 passed both the Iowa House and Senate, requiring that sex education provided to Iowa students be age-appropriate and research-based, defined in the bill to mean medically-accurate. The bill, which was supported by FutureNet and several member organizations, also requires that all information in sex education classes be free of racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender biases. The bill does not take away local control, as critics argued, as local schools boards will still decide what materials are used as long as the materials meet the criteria for age-appropriateness, medical accuracy, and anti-bias. Schools may still elect to teach only abstinence, without mention of contraception, as long as the information is medically accurate. To read the full text and see how your legislators voted, click here and type HF 611 into the box in the upper right-hand corner.

 

 

Recipients of the Champions for Children Award

Many Iowans are committed to making a better life and a better future for children in this state. Below is a list of past recipients who have worked within or have been advocates for youth in the fields of teen pregnancy prevention, adolescent sexual health or services to pregnant and parenting teens. Winners have been a community leader, a legislator, or a social services or health care professional. The award winner is announced annually at FutureNet's fall conference. Contact FutureNet for further information.

2008 Champions for Children:
• Elaine Szymoniak - Community Activist and Retired State Senator, Des Moines
• Anne L. Taylor - Grant Wood AEA School Improvement Consultant, Cedar Rapids

Past Champions for Children:
• Miriam "Mim" Fritz - Advocate & Mentor for Teen Parents, Ames
• Tom Lazio - Adoption & Foster Care Advocate, Ottumwa
• Jesse Villalobos - Anti-racism Activist & Organizer, Des Moines
• Linda Carter - Advocate for LGBT teens, Des Moines
• Carmen Lampe-Zeitler - Visionary for Peace & Justice, Des Moines
• Jo Lerberg - Teen Pregnancy Prevention Advocate, Des Moines
• Rep. Ro Foege (D) - State Representative, Mount Vernon.

Jeanette Fry
- Community Educator, Great River Medical Center, West Burlington
Rep. Mary Mascher - (D), Iowa City
Ryan Roemerman - Executive Director, Iowa Pride Network, Des Moines