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Youth

New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Urges Federal Support for Sex Education Programs

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The New Hampshire congressional delegation, comprising Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Representatives Ann Kuster and Chris Pappas, has sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, expressing concern over the future of State Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) funding in New Hampshire. The delegation argues that the loss of federal funding will deprive at-risk adolescents of access to comprehensive, evidence-based sex education, leading to an increased risk of teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and domestic violence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New Hampshire Executive Council has repeatedly denied PREP funding for TLC Family Resource Center and Amoskeag Health, two organizations providing sex education classes to high-risk youth.
  • The decision will deprive the State of $682,074 over the next three years, stymieing progress made in decreasing teen birth rates and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
  • TLC Family Resource Center has already announced the cancellation of fall 2022 classes, affecting 75 adolescents, while Amoskeag Health will be unable to serve 975 adolescents over the next three years.
  • The organizations' sex education programs have shown significant success, with a 20.27% to 11.86% decrease in teen birth rates in Sullivan County and a nearly 50% decrease in teen pregnancy rates in Manchester from 2010-2020.
  • The congressional delegation is urging the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the State and PREP providers to find a means to directly fund these vital programs as soon as possible.
  • Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington stated that the delegation and she are working together to secure funding before any more harm is done to New Hampshire teens.
  • Stephanie Slayton, Executive Director of the TLC Family Resource Center, emphasized that providing primary prevention for teen pregnancy in their region is an impactful way to improve outcomes for teens, as well as young children.
  • Kris McCracken, President/CEO of Amoskeag Health, highlighted that without continued funding, Manchester will likely backtrack on its progress in reducing teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

Statistics:

  • The New Hampshire Executive Council has denied PREP funding for TLC Family Resource Center and Amoskeag Health, leading to the cancellation of classes and affecting 1,050 adolescents over the next two years.
  • The reduction in teen birth rates in Sullivan County, thanks to the PREP program, was 67.4% (20.27% to 11.86% from 2012-2021).
  • The decline in teen pregnancy rates in Manchester was 49.6% from 2010-2020.
  • The potential loss of federal funding will deprive the State of $682,074 over the next three years.
  • Amoskeag Health has reported a 50% decrease in teen pregnancy rates, as well as a reduction in sexually transmitted infections, thanks to the PREP program.

Sources:

  • "Letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services" by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Representatives Ann Kuster and Chris Pappas, December 1, 2022
  • https://kuster.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4956

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