United Way Teen pregnancy Report-"if truth be told..."

Our commentary letter to report at www.unitedwaymilwaukee.org

Dear Ms. Tries:

On behalf of this coalition, I wanted to express appreciation to United Way for bringing the issues related to teen pregnancy before the community. The cited statistics clearly delineate the scope and complexity of the problems. I attended the agency listening session and was struck by the depth of the frustration expressed. Since that time, several program providers have called the office seeking a different approach. After reading #3 in the report’s Executive Summary, recognizing that “past and present collaborative efforts have failed...”, I expected a dramatic new vision, a new approach, a shakeup of business as usual. What followed was so disappointing.

The same old biased studies and research were cited. Dr. Kirby is the heralded guru of comprehensive sex education and criteria for effective programming. However, his analyses of effective programs have to be carefully read in their entirety to realize that his stats are carefully selected to imply evidence that is not there.

For instance, in his latest release, “The Impact of Sex and HIV Education Programs in Schools and Communities on Sexual Behaviors among Young Adults” (January 15, 2006), 83 program studies were reviewed. But only 13 of those even measured impact on pregnancy rates; only 3 had a positive effect and one had significant negative effects. But his summary states “Overall, these results strongly indicate that these programs were far more likely to have a positive impact on behavior than a negative one.” That is a gross misstatement when 96% lacked any evidence of impact whatsoever.

It is amazing that abstinence until marriage education is given a bad rap at the same time comprehensive sex education advocates are tweaking their programs to include more abstinence concepts. Despite claims to the contrary by state offices and documents, abstinence, as defined in Title V funding, is not a state priority. If it was, there would be:
· a committee, with abstinence educators involved, concentrating on the Healthiest Wisconsin 2010 objective to reduce adolescent sexual activity. There is none.
· assistance to and promotion of abstinence programs throughout the state by the DHFS Abstinence Consultant. She has other priorities.
· DHFS, DPI, and MPS would include abstinence in discussion, research, presentations, or training at meetings, seminars or conferences. That is not the case.
· agreement that an abstinent lifestyle must be encouraged until marriage giving sexual expression a connection to love, intimacy, commitment and family. None of those concepts are supported.
· an honest explanation of funding streams in the report. You missed the fact that the federal government supports contraceptive programs through Medicaid, TANF, Title X Family Planning, Indian Health Service funding, DASH/CDC, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Coalition Partnership Program for the Prevention of Teen Pregnancy and the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. The current ratio for comparison is $4.50 spent on contraceptive programs for every $1 for abstinence; down from a 12:1 ratio just a few years ago. How much of any of this money actually filters down to actual programs would be worth investigation. You have been egregiously misled and the implication is that abstinence is to blame for outcome failure.
· solid medical input rather than citing the ideological treatise by the American Academy of Pediatrics which closely resembles position papers by SIECUS, NARAL, Advocates for Youth and Planned Parenthood.
· evidence in your report that research done by the Heritage Foundation, the Medical Institute of Sexual Health, the Institute for Youth Development or any reputable universities and agencies that have evaluated abstinence curriculums had been read. There is none.
· indication that any actual curriculums or resources were reviewed for content.
· inclusion of evaluation of successful local abstinence programs like Best Friends, Best Men, and Rosalie Manor’s FUTTP.
· abstinence-trained representatives on the United Way teen pregnancy committee.

In January, Sarah Brown, Director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, wrote a very thoughtful “Campaign Comment” which is on their website. She urges us to “think carefully about what constitutes success”. We have to take the blinders off and help our children. They and their futures should be the only incentive in any deliberations. Local analysis must be done of underlying social agendas that might be victimizing children in the pursuit of adult rights.

The stature of United Way will give this report a credence it does not deserve. For those that believe our children deserve more from us than a pill, a patch, a shot or a condom, you have sentenced us to decision-making oblivion and fund-raising hell.

The assistance of this organization was offered before and is offered again. “If truth be told...” this important effort needs “the rest of the story”.