NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Iris Rudder, R-Winchester, has secured $150,000 in state funding for Decisions, Choices and Options (DCO).
The funding will be used to provide abstinence education and sexual risk avoidance (SRA) programs for youth in Middle Tennessee.
“It is important to educate our students on sexual health and motivate them to make good choices,” Rudder said. “Providing them with knowledge and resources will encourage healthy decision-making as they grow into adulthood. I thank my colleagues for their support of this organization and its programming.”
DCO works with public and private schools, after-school programs, homeschool groups and community organizations to encourage optimal health outcomes for youth by outlining the risks of early-onset sexual behavior.
The programs taught by DCO are medically accurate and meet state curriculum requirements, and the group’s instructors are certified Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialists by the country’s top SRA institute. Every year, DCO reaches more than 18,500 youth and student between the ages of 11 and 19 in Tennessee and several other states.
The appropriated funds are part of a $52.8 billion zero-debt balanced budget that was passed by the General Assembly in April. Republican priorities include significant investments in rural and behavioral health care, school safety, education and public safety.
State Rep. Iris Rudder represents District 39, which includes Franklin and Marion Counties. She serves as the Chairwoman of the Public Service Subcommittee and also serves on the Health Committee, Insurance Committee, State Government Committee, Insurance Subcommittee and Population Health Subcommittee.
