Abstinence Education

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Abstinence Education

The Heritage Keepers® Abstinence Education Program promotes sexual abstinence until marriage in accordance with federal laws and state laws. The program recognizes that youth are capable of making healthy decisions and choosing healthy, goal-oriented lifestyles. Heritage Keepers® abstinence education provides not simply a message but rather a set of skills, abilities, and approaches that help young people make the optimal sexual health decision – and live with their decision – to wait until marriage to have sex.

Learn more about our Theory & Methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Heritage Community Services a religious organization?
  No, we are a non-sectarian, 501(c)3 nonprofit.
  
• Is the Heritage curricula approved by the school board?
  Yes, our curricula are approved by local school boards and the sex advisory committee.
  
• How much money does the program cost the school?
  Because federal and/or state grants fund the programs, our services are offered at no cost to the school or student.
  
• If my school chooses to use Heritage, are they allowed to teach any other curricula?
  Yes! South Carolina law requires 750 minutes of sex education. Our program requires 450 minutes, and supplements any other programs that your school may choose to use.
  
• How is the program curricula implemented in the school?
  The school determines how it will be implemented. Most commonly, our teachers work in health, PE or JROTC classes.
  
• Is the program effective?
  Yes. In November of 2005, at the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Strengthening Abstinence Education Programs through Scientific Evaluation Conference and at the 27th Annual Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Research Conference an independent evaluation of our abstinence education program was selected for presentation. We are particularly proud that the evaluator found our students were half as likely to initiate sexual activity as similar non-program students.

See more Frequently Asked Questions from the National Abstinence Education Association Toolkit.