State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

The Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health, has released a funding opportunity for the State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education program, authorized under Section 510 of the Social Security Act and amended through recent federal legislation. Funding originates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, with allocations determined annually based on census data regarding low-income children in each state. For Arizona, approximately $1,068,301 per year is projected to be available over a five-year period spanning October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. These funds are designated for supporting initiatives that deliver evidence-based risk avoidance education to youth. The purpose of this program is to promote sexual risk avoidance education, with a focus on reducing health risks among young people through prevention-based strategies. The program emphasizes curricula and approaches that have demonstrated effectiveness in discouraging risky sexual behaviors. BWCH intends to fund a variety of projects throughout Arizona that align with these objectives. Projects must demonstrate the ability to reach the intended youth population, implement evidence-based models, and comply with all programmatic and fiscal requirements outlined in the grant. The scope of allowable expenditures excludes activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytizing, as well as lobbying efforts, land acquisition, building improvements, and abortion-related services. Funds cannot be used to supplant existing funding sources, reimburse pre-award costs, or issue sub-grants. Delivery of one-day program models is not permitted, as such approaches are not considered evidence-based. Instead, applicants must propose comprehensive strategies designed to engage youth over sufficient time to ensure impact. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, encompassing local and state governments, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, Native American tribes, schools and school districts, consortia, private sector entities, and other organizations. Nonprofit applicants must hold 501(c)(3) status. This inclusive eligibility framework ensures that diverse community-based and institutional partners can compete for funding and deliver programming across Arizona’s varied populations. Applications will open on September 29, 2025, and close on November 10, 2025. A pre-application conference is scheduled virtually on October 16, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time, offering applicants the opportunity to clarify requirements and expectations. Awards are expected to be made for multiple projects, though the total annual allocation will not exceed $1,068,301. Budgets will be subject to annual review, and reductions may occur if projects fail to meet participant targets, program completion requirements, or demonstrate compliance. Performance across the five-year period will be closely monitored. Program oversight will be managed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, with procurement contact Roy Vasel available for inquiries. Interested applicants must submit proposals to ADHS by the specified deadline. The funding opportunity represents a recurring federal-state partnership, with the expectation that Arizona will continue to receive allocations annually, subject to census data adjustments. Applicants are encouraged to consider the long-term, recurring nature of this funding when designing sustainable and effective programs to serve Arizona’s youth.

Budgets reviewed annually; ensure youth targets and program compliance to avoid reductions.