First was the inclusion of four National performance measures. In addition to the four National performance measures, States are required to develop two State performance measures related to the priority needs identified by the State. The Q's and A's were included with the final guidance to help Abstinence Education Program grantees make legally appropriate decisions concerning which activities may be funded. The final application guidance, titled The Abstinence Education Provision of the 1996 Welfare Law, P.L. 104-193, was disseminated to State agencies in June 1997. This guidance provides direction to the State maternal and child health agencies regarding how to apply for the appropriated funds under the Abstinence Education Grant Program.
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. Applications were submitted by all 50 States, District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. A panel of professionals from MCHB reviewed the proposals based upon the guidelines published in the application guidance. The Notices of Grant Awards included conditions which the States or Territories were required to meet in order to ensure that program funds are used for the statutorily-mandated purpose.