Planned Parenthood Of Central Ohio Receives Grant To Teach Teen Sex Education

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Abortion
Article Date: 19 Oct 2009 - 2:00 PST

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Ohio's Franklin Country Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to grant $50,000 to Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio for sex education classes in 19 Columbus middle and high schools, sparking objections from antiabortion-rights and abstinence-only advocates, the Columbus Dispatch reports. According to the Dispatch, "Teens will have access to medical exams and will be offered information" about preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Other groups were considered for the grant, but it was awarded to PPCO because the organization offers a comprehensive curriculum endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Commissioner Marilyn Brown.

Some antiabortion-rights advocates objected to the decision because Planned Parenthood provides abortion services through some of its clinics, the Dispatch reports. However, Lisa Perks, CEO of PPCO, said, "No taxpayer dollars will be used for abortions. This money is to prevent the need for abortions." Jason Shanks, the operations director of Greater Columbus Right to Life, requested that a provision to that effect be written into the legislation.

Franklin County has contracted with PPCO since 2003, and there were no objections when commissioners approved $175,664 in state grants to PPCO last year, Commissioner Paula Brooks said. She added that there was no state funding for teen pregnancy-prevention programs available to the county this year, forcing the commissioners to use $50,000 in county funds for this year's contract. "It's unfortunate that the prevention of very debilitating diseases among our teenagers is becoming a controversy," Brooks said (Carmen, Columbus Dispatch, 10/14).

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