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United Way cuts funding to Planned Parenthood Ottawa
By Kelly Patterson, The Ottawa Citizen April 12, 2011 7:18 AM Comments (2)
Despite skyrocketing rates of sexually transmitted infections in the area, Planned Parenthood Ottawa has had to shut down its main sex-education program for young people after the United Way unexpectedly cut funding for the workshops.
The agency has funded Planned Parenthood’s Community Education program, which has offered information sessions to children and youths on everything from puberty to contraception and sexually transmitted infections for more than 35 years.
“We are very disappointed. … It’s a challenging blow,” says Heather Holland, executive director of Planned Parenthood, adding that the agency was already turning down requests.
The program, which brought specially trained volunteers into schools and some public venues, has been funded by the United Way since 1975. Last year, the program’s specially trained volunteers reached more than 3,800 young people, Holland says.
The funding cut comes just as public-health officials are raising the alarm about a spike in the rate of sexually transmitted infections: In January, Dr. Isra Levy, the city’s medical officer of health, warned that the incidence of sexually transmitted infections in the area was at a 10-year high, including a 4,900-per-cent increase in infectious syphilis and a 89-per-cent increase in chlamydia. He pointed to a trend of young people abandoning safe-sex practices as one of the main causes of the increase.
Lawrence Greenspon, chair of the United Way’s Community Services Cabinet, says “there was no political agenda” behind the agency’s decision to cut funding to the sex-education program.
Planned Parenthood “has been doing some excellent work,” but its program “doesn’t align with what we’ve established as priority goals in area of children and youth,” he says. Greenspon notes that donors can still direct money to Planned Parenthood by earmarking their United Way contributions specifically for the agency.
The United Way has overhauled the way it manages its funding this year, putting out an open call to any organization to apply for support, Greenspon says: “We got 232 applications … and unfortunately, they were asking for a lot more money than we have to give.”
The criteria for youth programs also changed, he explains: After a five-year study by a panel of local experts, staff, volunteers and others, the agency decided to focus on helping children succeed at school. The two main priorities are to help preschoolers, through parenting and early-literacy programs, for example; and to support children in what the agency calls the “critical hours” after school, through homework clubs and other after-school programs.
The reasoning is that, in sexuality as in other areas of life, success at school will make young people less likely to take risks in the first place, he adds: “If there were the support we’re talking about … maybe Planned Parenthood wouldn’t have quite the size of the challenge that they do.”
Christabelle Sethna, a women’s studies professor at the University of Ottawa and an expert in sex education, says that is a “remarkable” argument: “Unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted illnesses are very much risk factors” that would affect a young person’s success both at school and in life, she says.
While it’s true that school achievement can reduce risk-taking, “you have to remember that it’s the whole child who comes to school,” and their attitudes and behaviour are shaped by what they learn at home and elsewhere, she says.
The funding cut “is a real shame,” she adds. “Planned Parenthood has such a long and involved and expert history in these issues. … These are long-standing successful programs given by skilled educators.”
She notes that, even though sex education is covered in the provincial curriculum, “that doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening in the classroom; the teacher may bring his or her own opinions into it.” It’s important to give young people a wide range of options, resources and information “that they can access without stigma,” she says.
Holland says city-funded programs offered by Planned Parenthood, such as Insight Theatre, which combines sex education with drama performed by and for youths, will not be affected by the cuts.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
Further Reading:
Planned Parenthood Ottawa closes sex-ed program
United Way is the spiritual successor to "Community Chest" programs. Basically one donates to United Way, and United Way divides the money amongst member groups that apply for it. Often they receive in-kind donations, or support for specific programs.
Planned Parenthood Ottawa. If you wish to support this program, you can make donations there.
United Way cuts funding to Planned Parenthood Ottawa
By Kelly Patterson, The Ottawa Citizen April 12, 2011 7:18 AM Comments (2)
Despite skyrocketing rates of sexually transmitted infections in the area, Planned Parenthood Ottawa has had to shut down its main sex-education program for young people after the United Way unexpectedly cut funding for the workshops.
The agency has funded Planned Parenthood’s Community Education program, which has offered information sessions to children and youths on everything from puberty to contraception and sexually transmitted infections for more than 35 years.
“We are very disappointed. … It’s a challenging blow,” says Heather Holland, executive director of Planned Parenthood, adding that the agency was already turning down requests.
The program, which brought specially trained volunteers into schools and some public venues, has been funded by the United Way since 1975. Last year, the program’s specially trained volunteers reached more than 3,800 young people, Holland says.
The funding cut comes just as public-health officials are raising the alarm about a spike in the rate of sexually transmitted infections: In January, Dr. Isra Levy, the city’s medical officer of health, warned that the incidence of sexually transmitted infections in the area was at a 10-year high, including a 4,900-per-cent increase in infectious syphilis and a 89-per-cent increase in chlamydia. He pointed to a trend of young people abandoning safe-sex practices as one of the main causes of the increase.
Lawrence Greenspon, chair of the United Way’s Community Services Cabinet, says “there was no political agenda” behind the agency’s decision to cut funding to the sex-education program.
Planned Parenthood “has been doing some excellent work,” but its program “doesn’t align with what we’ve established as priority goals in area of children and youth,” he says. Greenspon notes that donors can still direct money to Planned Parenthood by earmarking their United Way contributions specifically for the agency.
The United Way has overhauled the way it manages its funding this year, putting out an open call to any organization to apply for support, Greenspon says: “We got 232 applications … and unfortunately, they were asking for a lot more money than we have to give.”
The criteria for youth programs also changed, he explains: After a five-year study by a panel of local experts, staff, volunteers and others, the agency decided to focus on helping children succeed at school. The two main priorities are to help preschoolers, through parenting and early-literacy programs, for example; and to support children in what the agency calls the “critical hours” after school, through homework clubs and other after-school programs.
The reasoning is that, in sexuality as in other areas of life, success at school will make young people less likely to take risks in the first place, he adds: “If there were the support we’re talking about … maybe Planned Parenthood wouldn’t have quite the size of the challenge that they do.”
Christabelle Sethna, a women’s studies professor at the University of Ottawa and an expert in sex education, says that is a “remarkable” argument: “Unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted illnesses are very much risk factors” that would affect a young person’s success both at school and in life, she says.
While it’s true that school achievement can reduce risk-taking, “you have to remember that it’s the whole child who comes to school,” and their attitudes and behaviour are shaped by what they learn at home and elsewhere, she says.
The funding cut “is a real shame,” she adds. “Planned Parenthood has such a long and involved and expert history in these issues. … These are long-standing successful programs given by skilled educators.”
She notes that, even though sex education is covered in the provincial curriculum, “that doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening in the classroom; the teacher may bring his or her own opinions into it.” It’s important to give young people a wide range of options, resources and information “that they can access without stigma,” she says.
Holland says city-funded programs offered by Planned Parenthood, such as Insight Theatre, which combines sex education with drama performed by and for youths, will not be affected by the cuts.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
Further Reading:
Planned Parenthood Ottawa closes sex-ed program
United Way is the spiritual successor to "Community Chest" programs. Basically one donates to United Way, and United Way divides the money amongst member groups that apply for it. Often they receive in-kind donations, or support for specific programs.
Planned Parenthood Ottawa. If you wish to support this program, you can make donations there.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-18 04:06 am (UTC)Agrlbargl