Idaho

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Idaho received $205,288 in federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in Fiscal Year 2003.¹

Idaho Sexuality Education Law

In Idaho, local school boards are charged with the decision of whether or not to offer sexuality education. If a school board decides to institute sexuality education, the program must place "major emphasis" on the home, family, and church as areas of importance for learning such knowledge. Family is not defined under this statute.

The program should give youth "the scientific, psychological information for understanding sex and its relation to the miracle of life." It must also include "knowledge of the power of the sex drive and the necessity of controlling that drive by self-discipline."

School boards must include parents and community groups in all aspects of instituting and evaluating a sexuality education program. Parents or guardians wishing to excuse their children from sexuality education must file a written request to the school board. The school board will then supply the parent with necessary forms to remove the child from the class. This is referred to as an "opt-out" policy.

See Idaho Statutes 33-1608, 33-1609, 33-1610, and 33-1611.

Recent Legislation

SIECUS is not aware of any recent legislation in Idaho regarding sexuality education.

Events of Note

SIECUS is not aware of any recent events of note regarding sexuality education in Idaho.

Idaho's Youth: Statistical Information of Note²

• In 2003, 36% of female high school students and 37% of male high school students in Idaho reported ever having had sexual intercourse compared to 45% of female high school students and 48% of male high school students nationwide.
• In 2003, 3% of female high school students and 6% of male high school students in Idaho reported having had sexual intercourse before age 13 compared to 4% of female high school students and 10% of male high school students nationwide.
• In 2003, 84% of high school students in Idaho reported having been taught about AIDS/HIV in school compared to 88% of high school students nationwide.
• In 2000, Idaho's abortion rate was 10 per 1,000 women ages 15-19 compared to a teen abortion rate of 24 per 1,000 nationwide.³
• In 2001, Idaho's birth rate was 41 per 1,000 women ages 15-19 compared to a teen birth rate of 45 per 1,000 nationwide.⁴

Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare received $205,288 in federal Title V funding in Fiscal Year 2003. The Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage grant requires states to provide three state-raised dollars or the equivalent in services for every four federal dollars received. The state match can be provided in part or in full by local groups. The federal funding in Idaho is matched with $153,921 from the state.

The Idaho Governor's Council on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention serves as an advisory panel for the abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. By executive order, this panel must include a total of no more than 17 individuals serving terms of two years from each of the following areas: public health and welfare, education, clergy, private business, parents, youth, local elected officials, health care providers, and media.

The Title V funding is distributed equally to seven local health departments with each department receiving $42,659. Each department designs their own program; deciding how to spend the funds and which populations to target. Activities include forming youth coalitions, providing materials to schools, attending local fairs, and holding workshops for parents, youth, and clergy.

Special Projects of Regional and National Significance-Community Based Abstinence Education (SPRANS-CBAE) and Adolescent Family Life Act (AFLA) Grantees

There are no SPRANS-CBAE or AFLA grantees in Idaho.

Federal and State Funding for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs in FY 2003

Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Coordinator

Shelli Rambo Roberson
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
450 W. State St., 6th Floor
Boise, ID 83720
Phone: (208) 334-5957

Idaho Organizations that Support Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Idaho Women's Network
PO Box 1385
Boise, ID 83701
Phone: (208) 344-5738
http://www.idahowomensnetwork.org

Planned Parenthood Association of Idaho
6111 Clinton Sr.
Boise, ID 83704
Phone: (208) 376-9300

Idaho Organizations that Oppose Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Grapevine Publications
P.O. Box 45057
Boise, ID 83711
http://www.grapevinepublications.com

Pregnancy Care Center
2020 12th Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501
Phone: (208) 746-9704
http://www.lctoday.net/nonprofit/pcc.htm

Newspapers in Idaho

Boise Family Magazine
Liz Buckingham
Editor
13191 W. Scotfield St.
Boise, ID 83713
Phone: (208) 938-2119

Boise Weekly
Mark Barnes
Editor-In-Chief
109 S. 4th St.
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208)344-2055

Bonner County Daily Bee
Lucy Dukes
Community News Reporter
310 Church St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Phone: (208) 263-9534

CdA Coeur d'Alene
Bill Buley
Editor
201 N. 2nd St.
Coeur D Alene, ID 8381
Phone: (208) 664-8176

Coeur d'Alene Press
Education Editor
201 N. 2nd St.
Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
Phone: (208) 664-8176

IDAHO Magazine
Kitty Delorey Fleischman
Editor
4301 W. Franklin Rd.
Boise, ID 83705
Phone: (208) 336-0653

Idaho Press-Tribune
Nathaniel Hoffman
Education Reporter
1618 N. Midland Blvd.
Nampa, ID 83651
Phone: (208) 465-8169

Idaho State Journal
Courtney Cobb
Education Reporter
305 S. Arthur Ave.
Pocatello, ID 83204
Phone: (208) 233-3131

The Idaho Statesman
Bill Roberts
Education Reporter
1200 N. Curtis Rd.
Boise, ID 83706
Phone: (208) 377-6408

IEA Reporter
Gayle Moore
Education Editor
620 N. 6th St.
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 344-1341

Lewiston Morning Tribune
Kathy Hedberg
Education Reporter
505 C St.
Lewiston, ID 83501
Phone: (208) 743-9411

The Morning News
Education Editor
34 N. Ash St.
Blackfoot, ID 83221
Phone: (208) 785-1100

Moscow Pullman Daily News
Nathan Alford
Editor
409 S. Jackson St.
Moscow, ID 83843
Phone: (208) 882-5561

Post Falls Press
Education Editor
318 N. Spokane St.
Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: (208) 773-7502

Post Register
Kortney Rolston
Education Reporter
333 Northgate Mile
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Phone: (208) 542-6764

South Idaho Press
Laurie Welch
Education Reporter
230 E. Main St.
Burley, ID 83318
Phone: (208) 678-2201

Shoshone News-Press
Education Editor
401 S. Main St.
Kellogg, ID 83837
Phone: (208) 783-1107

Sun Valley Magazine
Education Editor
12 E. Bullion St.
Hailey, ID 83333
Phone: (208) 788-0770

Teton Valley Top to Bottom
Deb Barracato
Editor
189 N. Main St.
Driggs, ID 83422
Phone: (208) 354-3466

The Times-News
Robert Mayer
Education Writer
132 3rd St.
W.Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: (208) 735-3231

References

1. This refers to the fiscal year for the Federal Government which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2003 begins on October 1, 2002 and ends on September 30, 2003.
2. Unless otherwise cited, all statistical information comes from: J. Grunbaum, et. al., "Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2003," Surveillance Summaries, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 53, no.SS-2, May 21, 2004, pp. 1-95. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/yrbs/.
3. U.S. Teenage Pregnancy Statistics: Overall Trends, Trends by Race and Ethnicity and State-by-State Information, (New York: Alan Guttmacher Institute, February, 2004). Available online at http://www.guttmacher.org.
4. A. Papillo, et.al., Facts at a Glance, (Washington, DC: Child Trends, February, 2004).