§18203 Permissible Uses of Fund

Summary

States must use grant money to help pregnant and parenting teens and women. States can give this money to colleges, high schools, and community centers to set up or run services for pregnant and parenting students. Colleges that get money must apply to the State and must add 25 percent of the grant amount from non‑Federal funds (cash or things like space, supplies, or services). The grant money must add to, not replace, existing money. Funded services can do a campus and community needs check, find and work with local service providers, help students find health care, housing, child care, flexible class options, parenting education, baby supplies, and counseling, and make referrals for prenatal care, adoption, or foster care if asked. Each funded college must send an annual report to the State that lists spending, evaluates performance using State standards, and describes how well student needs were met and how often services were used. The State must set the performance standards at least 180 days before the report is due and must send an annual report to the Secretary with how many schools got awards and how many students were served. States may also give money to the State Attorney General to help statewide offices support pregnant victims of domestic or sexual violence and stalking and to provide training and technical help to governments, courts, law enforcement, health and social service workers, nonprofits, and faith groups. That training includes spotting victims, checking safety and health needs, keeping private medical or forensic records, and referring victims to proper services. “Eligible pregnant woman” means a woman who is pregnant when she becomes a victim or was pregnant within the year before the incident. States may use some grant money for public awareness and education about services, but the State must set rules on how much of an award can be used that way.