New York: Abstinence Funding at Issue -- Falls Youth Advocate Says Federal Cuts Put Lone Program at Risk

President Obama's proposed budget, which would redirect millions in abstinence-only funding, could make it difficult for one Niagara Falls group to stay in business, says a local youth advocate. Obama's 2010-11 budget favors comprehensive sex education and would reduce abstinence-only funding by $133 million.

"It's disappointing because we still think that this is a priority. We feel it should've been kept on the front burner," said Joseph Lowery, a youth director at Mount Sinai Baptist Church. Lowery also works with Niagara County's Abstinence Commitment by Teenagers Now (ACT Now) program, which promotes abstinence until marriage to about 8,000 county students.

All of ACT Now's $300,000 annual budget is from the federal government, said Rodney Alaimo, the county's director of abstinence services. Program officials anticipated continued funding through 2013, enabling them to reach all county high schools, Alaimo said. Without federal support, ACT Now's survival will be difficult, he said.

"We don't believe in comprehensive models [of sex education] for children," said Alaimo. "We address what's a healthy relationship and what isn't."

Teens who engage in one high-risk behavior, such as sex, are more likely to engage in other high-risk activities, such as drinking and substance abuse, Alaimo said. There can also be emotional consequences to sexual activity, including depression, he said, adding, "We're copping out when we're telling kids to just use condoms and birth control."

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