Ask NCFY

Abstinence Education

Fundraising and Grant-Seeking for Youth Programs

Abstinence Education

What is abstinence education?

As defined by Section 510 of Title V of the Social Security Act, abstinence education is “an educational or motivational program which:

(A) Has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;

(B) Teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;

(C) Teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;

(D) Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;

(E) Teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;

(F) Teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society;

(G) Teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and

(H) Teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.''

How does FYSB support abstinence education programs?

Through its Abstinence Education Programs, FYSB awards grants to State agencies and community-based organizations that fund abstinence education, as well as mentoring, counseling, and other services designed to reduce the proportion of adolescents who have engaged in premarital sexual activity, the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies among adolescents, and the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents. The goal of the programs is to influence the youth most likely to bear children out of wedlock. Learn more about FYSB’s Abstinence Education Programs.

Fundraising and Grant-Seeking for Youth Programs

How can NCFY help me locate funding opportunities for my youth program?
One of NCFY’s primary functions is to provide the public with information about the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) and its grant programs. NCFY can send you information packets about FYSB program grant announcements and refer you to other Federal agency Web sites, program administrative contacts, FYSB program fact sheets, and information about Positive Youth Development.

Federal grant announcements, including FYSB funding announcements, can be found at www.grants.gov.

Please read on for further information about youth-related funding. If you still have questions, NCFY can help answer them. Call (301) 608-8098 or e-mail ncfy@acf.hhs.gov.

Who is eligible for FYSB grants?
County, city, township, or special district governments, state controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments and organizations, organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and non-profits that do not have 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education are eligible for FYSB grants. Additional, detailed information on applicant eligibility requirements is outlined in the specific grant announcements.

When are the Community-Based Abstinence Education grants available?
FYSB’s Community-Based Abstinence Education grant program is usually announced online between February and April, depending on when the annual Congressional appropriations are made for the program.

Can I be notified when the FYSB grants become available?
Yes, call the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Operations Center at (866) 796-1591 to be placed on the mailing list.

Where can I find FYSB program funding announcements?
FYSB announces the availability of program funding on the Grants.gov Web site. Funding announcements are also posted on the FYSB Web site. In addition, hard copies of the announcements are available from NCFY.

How do I get more information about specific FYSB grant programs?
Detailed information on FYSB grant programs can be found in each program’s funding announcement at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/funding/index.htm. Announcements for each program contain information about eligibility, applications, and award amounts. In addition, ACYF Grant Officers can answer specific program questions.