The administration has canceled federal grants previously awarded to organizations working on teen pregnancy prevention. Officials accused these groups of encouraging premarital sex.
New funding criteria now require programs to stress abstinence as their primary goal. The shift reflects a broader policy focus on marriage and starting families.
Organizations that lost funding include public health departments and community groups. Many had operated such programs for years with prior federal backing.
The new guidelines direct programs to promote marriage as the expected outcome for teenage pregnancies. This marks a significant departure from previous approaches.
Critics argue the changes ignore comprehensive sex education and contraception access. Supporters say the emphasis aligns with traditional family values.
The overhaul affects dozens of grant recipients across multiple states. Some groups are now seeking alternative funding sources to continue their work.
This policy change is part of a larger effort to reshape federal health programs for adolescents. It underscores a renewed focus on abstinence-only education standards.
