The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Administration for Children and Families (ACF), demanded this week that 46 states and territories, including Vermont, remove all references to what it terms “gender ideology” from their federally funded Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) materials within 60 days.
However, comments made by Gov. Phil Scott and an administration secretary at a Wednesday press conference suggest the actual amount of money at play is small and will be backfilled by the State if necessary.
The move underscores the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to prevent what it describes as the indoctrination of children with “delusional ideology.”
Last week, ACF terminated California’s PREP grant after the state failed to comply with a similar directive to eliminate gender-related content from its educational resources. Now, other recipients of PREP funding have been put on notice that failure to adhere to the new guidelines will result in “withholding, suspension, or termination” of federal funds.
“Accountability is coming,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison. “Federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas. The Trump Administration will ensure that PREP reflects the intent of Congress, not the priorities of the left.”
“We’re just trying to figure out what this really means. And I know it was a few $100,000 so it’s significant, but, but we’re trying to figure that out as we speak,” Scott said Wednesday.
Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson: “Just to put some of the facts out there, the PREP program does provide information for adolescents and youth, particularly around STI [sexually transmitted infection] HIV, prevention, and prevention of unintended pregnancies. It is not a school-based program, so it is not offered in the schools.
“Instead, it is offered in and among community organizations. So it’s a completely voluntary program.”
Even if feds cut the funding, Vermont will continue the program it supports, Samuelson hinted: “We are committed to continuing to provide education and support that really reflects the needs of all Vermonters, and that includes the LGBT and other communities.”
The directive impacts 40 states and six territories, including Washington DC The affected states are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The territories and districts included are Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC.
The full set of letters sent to states and territories can be accessed on the ACF website.
Guy Page – Vermont Daily Chronicle
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