Public Policy Recommendation: Assist Youth Who Are Pregnant and Parenting

Date: February 13, 2020

Topic Supports for Youth who are Pregnant and Parenting Subjects Public Health, Human Services, Secondary Education, Higher Education Recommendation Reauthorize the Pregnancy Assistance Fund program   Congressional Action Request U.S. Senators: Co-sponsor the Pregnancy Assistance Fund Reauthorization Act (S. 2296). Urge leaders of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to reauthorize PAF along with…

Public Policy Recommendation: Increase Adolescent Health through School-Based Approaches

Date: February 13, 2020

The Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collaborates with state, territorial, tribal, and local education agencies to monitor youth health behavior, implement HIV and STI prevention programs, and provide expert guidance to schools on quality health education, school-based and school-linked health services, and safe and supportive school environments.

Congress appropriated $33.1 million to CDC DASH in FY 2020. Funding at this level allows CDC DASH to reach about two million students annually through its school health program as well as conduct important public health research and surveillance work. The President’s FY 2021 budget request for CDC suggests (but is not explicit on) level funding for DASH.

Congress should increase the appropriation for CDC DASH to at least $100 million in FY 2021. Funding at this level would enable DASH to add many more local education agencies to its effective school health program, thereby improving health of most of the nation’s middle school and high school students.