NEWS RELEASE
May 5, 1998

Engler Praises Michigan Abstinence Partnership on Five Year Anniversary

Governor John Engler today praised the Michigan Abstinence Partnership, which is a model for the nation in quality abstinence education, encouraging 9 to 14-year-old children to avoid risky behaviors such as sex, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The Michigan Abstinence Partnership celebrates its five year anniversary today with a conference held in East Lansing.

"Last week Washington gave us some outstanding news when they reported that in Michigan, teen births plunged 16.6 percent," said Engler. "Our decrease in teen births was greater than 46 other states."

"The Michigan Abstinence Partnership played an enormous role in this decrease," said Engler. "The Partnership has supported important community-based programs that are reaching out to children and educating them on high risk behaviors."

In 1993, the Michigan Department of Community Health developed the Michigan Abstinence Partnership and has grown from the original eight sites to 20 funded communities. The Michigan Abstinence Partnership has had a successful, award-winning media campaign and has distributed educational materials to over 500,000 young people in Michigan since 1993.

"Community support is crucial to the success of the Michigan Abstinence Partnership," said Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr. "We have been proud to sponsor the Michigan Abstinence Partnership and remain focused on our efforts on behalf of Michigan's children." The Michigan Health Council works with the Department of Community Health on the Michigan Abstinence Partnership.

In December, Michigan was awarded $1.89 million from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. To be eligible for funding, states must contribute three dollars for every four federal dollars and comply with the requirement that all of the funding must be used only for abstinence education or activities; no safe sex messages or contraceptive information will be delivered with the federal or state matching funds.

To receive a copy of the Michigan Abstinence Partnership catalog of abstinence educational materials, call 1-800-626-4636.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Truscott
May 5, 1998 (517) 335-6397