Since 1996, the U.S. Congress has appropriated funds to spur the creation of new, directive, character-based, abstinence-education programs nationwide. In response to requests from many of Oklahoma's family-practice physicians, Oklahoma Family Policy Council created the KEEP program in 1999. KEEP complements OFPC's ongoing mission to strengthen Oklahoma families through informed, involved citizenship and improved public policy.

The KEEP Program:
KEEP (Kids Eagerly Endorsing Purity) is a medically accurate, directive, character-based, abstinence-education program authorized by the U.S. Congress and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Over a third of Oklahoma's 77 counties now offer innovative programs like KEEP, which has been endorsed by many of Oklahoma's most influential public officials.

KEEP's goals are simple: (1) to convince as many teens as possible to abstain from sex until marriage, and (2) to present sexual expression within marriage as society's behavioral standard. KEEP teaches kids that abstinence-until-marriage is the only sure way to avoid STDs, emotional damage and pregnancies.

Educationally, the KEEP program consists of an intensive, multi-week classroom curriculum, weekly teacher-led student discussions, the use of creative visual aids and games, videos, and at least one classroom visit from a licensed medical doctor who teaches a class on sexually transmitted diseases.

KEEP is available for all youth, aged 12-18, living within Oklahoma or Tulsa Counties (and in surrounding communities statewide, too. Ask for details). The Oklahoma County KEEP program now reaches thousands of students in 18 Oklahoma County schools. The Tulsa County KEEP program is now in its early development stage.

OFPC's funding for KEEP comes through a combination of privately donated funds, substantial in-kind contributions from caring Oklahomans, and via the federal government through either a SPRANS Community-Based Abstinence Education implementation grant or a §510 grant, both authorized under Title V of the Social Security Act.