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OPA PPN Program Policy Notice
Clarification regarding "Program Requirements for Title X Family Planning Projects"
Confidential Services to Adolescents
OPA Program Policy Notice 2014-01
Release Date: June 5, 2014
I. Purpose
The purpose of this Program Policy Notice (PPN) is to provide Title X grantees with information to clarify some specific requirements included in the newly released "Program Requirements for Title X-Funded Family Planning Projects Version 1.0-April2014."
II. Background
On April 25, 2014, the Office of Population Affairs (OPA), which administers the Title X Family Planning Program, released new Title X Family Planning Guidelines consisting of two parts: 1) Program Requirements for Title X Family Planning Projects (hereafter referred to as Title X Program Requirements), and 2) Providing Quality Family Planning Services: Recommendations of CDC and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs.
The Title X Program Requirements document closely aligns with the various requirements applicable to the Title X Program as set out in the Title X statute and implementing regulations (42 CFR part 59, subpart A), and other applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policies. The requirement that this Program Policy Notice addresses is confidential services to adolescents.
Requirements regarding confidential services for individuals regardless of age are stipulated in Title X regulations at 42 CFR § 59.5(a)(4) and§ 59.11, and are repeated in the Title X Program Requirements in sections 9.3 and 10.
Ill. Clarification
It continues to be the case that Title X projects may not require written consent of parents or guardians for the provision of services to minors. Nor can any Title X project staff notify a parent or guardian before or after a minor has requested and/or received Title X family planning services.
Title X projects, however, must comply with legislative mandates that require them to encourage family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services, and provide counseling to minors on how to resist attempts to coerce minors into engaging in sexual activities. In addition, all Title X providers must comply with State laws requiring notification or the reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.