RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, introduced in the 1990’s to reduce teen pregnancy in health districts with high rates, is on the chopping block. That would include funding for certain groups and organizations that provide birth control and sex education to teenagers.
Governor Bob McDonnell said the program has proven ineffective and state resources are very limited.
The Governor said that eliminating the program, which services the Richmond area, could save the state $455,000—almost half a million dollars.
For years there have been fiscal signs along the way that the program was in trouble.
Last year, $237,000 was cut and in 2010, $155,000 was taken away.
Governor McDonnell said that eliminating the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative isn’t as bad as it seems.
He said that over the last several years, the state has received millions of dollars to support programs that have proven to be effective at reducing the teen pregnancy rate.
