To ensure that Minnesota policies regarding adolescent pregnancy, prevention and parenting are evidence-based, MOAPPP advocated for and monitored the following issues in 2009.
Responsible Family Life and Sexuality Education (HF906/SF965 ) A Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed Initiative – a bill to require and establish standards for sexuality education in Minnesota public schools for grades 7-12. Responsible Sex Ed advanced this year through an informational hearing in the House Education Policy Committee. No votes were taken on the bill.
Family Planning and General Prevention (HF1362) A SAFPlan Initiative. Family Planning Special Projects (FPSP) grants (grants to fund family planning for low income Minnesotans in existence since 1978) were fully funded as part of the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance bill signed into law by the Governor. It remains to be seen if this funding will be impacted if the Governor begins an unallotment process to balance the 2010-2011 budget.
Home Visiting (HF1362) An Initiative with Affirmative Options Coalition. Home visiting received full funding as part of the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance bill signed into law by the Governor. As with the FPSP grants, this funding could be impacted through the unallotment process.
As part of the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance bill, language passed that allows counties and local public health the option of home visiting providers assuming the role of MFIP worker for certain populations, including adolescent parents, if this is mutually agreeable.
Youth Development – After School Community Learning Programs.The appropriation for Afterschool Community Learning Grants was carried in the Health and Human Services bill this year. The final proposal to preserve after school grants was to transfer federal stimulus money from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Education. This transfer was included in the House proposal, but not in the Senate proposal. It was not included in the final conference committee report and therefore current grants will end June 30, 2009.
Youth Moving Forward Initiative Aging Out of Foster Care – Health Care and Opting Back In (SF665 /SF666). Youth Moving Forward Initiative includes two bills that would expand services to youth aging out of foster care, including the ability to return to foster care services and presumptive enrollment in medical assistance until age 21.
Homeless Youth.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act was passed in the Omnibus Health and Human Services bill and signed into law by the Governor. $218,000 of the general fund was appropriated. Additionally, bill language set aside $2.5 million in federal stimulus dollars for homeless youth programs. Federal funds are focused on “balance of state” for geographic areas, not including the twin cities metro or St. Louis County.
Federal Issue.
Update Abstinence.
Funding On May 7, 2009, President Obama released his FY2010 budget proposal. This proposal zeroes out funding for failed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Additionally, the President allocated $178 million for evidence based teen pregnancy prevention programs. Now Congress must pass this appropriation in their budget to make this funding a reality. Basic allocation of these funds is as follows:
- $164 million = $110 for evidence based teen pregnancy prevention programs – available through a competitive grant process
- $4.5 million for program evaluation
- $50 million in new mandatory teen pregnancy prevention grants to states, tribes, and territories.
- $13-14 million to AFLA within the Office of Population Affairs