Mission
Advocating in support of state and federal support for abstinence-centered education in order to sustain and expand state and federal support for a risk avoidance message.
Background
The National Abstinence Leadership Council (NALC), comprised of
leading abstinence providers from across the country, gathered during
the fall of 2006 to discuss current and future needs of the abstinence
education field. As a result of ensuing discussions, these leaders voted
to form NAEA as a 501(c)(4) membership association as a means of
accomplishing long term strategic goals for the field of abstinence. As a
501(c)(4), NAEA is able to offer unique member services for abstinence
education organizations, educators and providers, including unlimited advocacy on behalf of abstinence education.
Leadership
The NAEA Board of Directors & Advisory Board
represent some of the leading abstinence education programs in the
country. Members of the board directors and advisory board represent a
broad network of state abstinence coalitions, medical and youth
development organizations, and diverse professionals who offer valuable
insight and guidance to NAEA. The board of directors, advisory board,
and members of NAEA include providers of abstinence education programs,
services, curriculum, and resources which may directly or indirectly
receive government funds for the provision of programs and resources.
The NAEA Board of Directors and Advisory Board Members are dedicated to
maintaining and improving abstinence education programs nationally.
Executive Director, Valerie Huber brings significant grass-roots and
administrative experience to this position as former director of a
community-based abstinence organization and former Title V Coordinator
for the State of Ohio.
Strategic Objectives
A multi-pronged approach will be used by NAEA to support association members:
- Advocating in support of state and federal support for
abstinence-centered education in order to sustain and expand state and
federal funding.
- Rebranding the abstinence message to provide positive representation in the public square.
- Responding to current issues by providing effective talking
points and general commentary made available to the abstinence
community.
- Providing research expertise to evaluate raw data, interpret research trends, and correlate findings to healthy youth behavior.
- Encouraging the formation and strengthening of state
coalitions in order to foster coordinated strategies and communication
between the local, state and federal level.
- Offering professional development opportunities for
abstinence educators in order to solidify and unify the foundational
knowledge base among the profession.