The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminated its Sex Education Grant to California on Thursday due to the state’s refusal to eliminate what it described as radical gender ideology from programs funded by taxpayers.
HHS specifically concluded the Personally Responsible Education Program (PREP) grant, which aims to help students prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). HHS expressed concerns that California’s approach involved instructing children on changing their bodies and identities. It accused the state of advising teachers to inform students that some biological males might have been assigned female at birth.
Deputy Director Andrew Gradisson commented on the decision, saying, “We have taken this action because of California’s refusal to comply with federal law and its continued use of inappropriate gender ideology in federally funded sexual education.” He added that the administration would ensure that no taxpayer dollars are used for what he described as indoctrination.
In March 2025, ACF had requested that California submit a preparatory curriculum for review, noting issues with gender ideology that exceeded the program’s goals. In June 2025, it mandated that the state remove certain content within 60 days, but California reportedly did not comply.
On Thursday, officials communicated to Sydney Almendaris, the head of the Department of Maternal, Children, and Youth Health at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), revealing that the California National Personally Responsible Education Program would be discontinued and that this closure would take effect on August 21 unless an appeal was filed by the state.
The letter stated, “This marks the final decision of the administration for children and families. If you do not submit an appeal within 30 days, this decision will stand.”
Among the materials scrutinized by ACF were lessons geared toward middle school students discussing transgender topics. The program aimed to explain that gender identity can differ from biological sex, emphasizing that some individuals identify outside traditional gender norms.
ACF also reviewed resources meant for educators, focusing on fostering understanding around differing gender identities. California’s previous grants indicated the program had received nearly $6 million from federal sources in 2022. The state could face a loss of up to $12.3 million in potential funding according to HHS.
