Grants are awarded to the States based on a statutory formula determined by the proportion that the number of low income children in the State bears to the total number of low income children for all States. There is a required match of three non-federal dollars for every four Federal dollars awarded. If a State chooses not to apply for a grant, the State's allocation is returned to the Treasury and is not available for redistribution among the remaining States. In addition, States are required to develop two State performance measures related to their identified priority needs. This guidance provides direction to the State maternal and child health agencies on how to apply for the appropriated Abstinence Education Grant Funding.
States are responsible for developing programs that best meet their unique priority needs.
Both public and private organizations can provide services under the program. Abstinence Education Grant Program dollars can be used to create a completely new program in abstinence education or to augment any existing program as long as it does not contradict the statutory definition of abstinence education. Many States targeted more than one age group. Development of a public media campaign was proposed in 33 States. A separate National evaluation of programs under Section 510 of Title V was mandated and funded by Section 5001 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.