Oregon: Benton County Sex Health Program Cut Back

A loss in federal funding means a popular sexual health outreach program geared toward men will scale back this fall.

"Male Advocates for Responsible Sexuality" (MARS) pairs college-age male interns with groups and individuals to discuss topics like abstinence and healthy relationships. The program was created through Benton County in 2000 and has since been adopted by other counties, school districts, and Oregon State University.

Since 2003, MARS has been funded by a five-year federal grant from the Office of Population Affairs. Tatiana Dierwechter, Benton County's health promotions program manager, said MARS could not apply for a renewal this year due to a change in grant funding procedures. OPA now stresses providing clinical services to men, something MARS does not offer.

"Demonstration grants are so challenging, and there's so much competition," said Dierwechter. The county determined it was not feasible to alter MARS to fit the new requirements, she said. "We really had no choice but to close down," Dierwechter added, noting she applied for six other grants but had no success.

MARS will continue to provide its services to young men in custody, however, thanks to a $6,500 grant from the state Department of Education.

"MARS was so successful in sending a message that reproductive health is about men, too, and in making men comfortable to go the clinic," said Dierwechter.

Back to other news for September 2008