COLUMBUS, Ohio -– The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) advised Ohio in a letter on Tuesday that it is not currently in compliance to receive funding through the State Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and it could lose more than $4 million in federal school funding.
Similar letters were sent to 45 other U.S. states and territories following a medical accuracy review. Specific material and subject matter were highlighted in each letter.
Several sections of Ohio’s material, including the “Making Proud Choices! 5th edition, Facilitator’s Curriculum,” were flagged by ACF for revision. The material at issue discussed “gender identity,” “gender expression,” “sexual diversity,” and related topics. For example, the letter notes on Page 36: “Asking participants to tell you their pronouns is a way of creating a safe space for transgender or gender nonconforming youth.” Additionally, Page 39-40 states: “Let’s keep in mind that there’s diversity in society and in the group. Individuals come from different family backgrounds, different racial and cultural groups and different living situations. Some young people have already had romantic relationships; others aren’t even thinking about it. Some may have had sexual intercourse. Some have had sex because they choose to; others may have had sex against their will. Some may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight. Some may identify as male, female or transgender.”
According to ACF Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison, as quoted in the letter: “The statute neither requires, supports nor authorizes teaching students that gender identity is distinct from biological sex or that boys can identify as girls and vice versa; thus, gender ideology is outside the scope of the authorizing statute and any expenditures associated with gender ideology are not allowable, reasonable, or allocable to the PREP grant.” The letter further states: “In preparing the materials that we received, we saw that the curricula include gender ideology which is not authorized by the statute. As per this letter, Ohio will need to remove this content from its PREP curricula and program materials.”
Ohio will be allotted the remaining PREP grant funding if it continues to qualify. Records show $4.3 million is on the table. The Ohio Department of Youth Services has until Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:59 pm to share its updated materials.
In a press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison emphasized: “Accountability is coming. Federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas. The Trump Administration will ensure that PREP reflects the intent of Congress, not the priorities of the left.” The release noted that failure to comply within 60 days will result in enforcement actions, including the withholding, suspension, or termination of federal PREP funding.