Overview

• The Administration for Children and Families ended California’s Personal Responsibility Education Program awards effective Aug. 21 after the state refused a June directive to remove “all content concerning gender ideology.”
• California’s health department said on Aug. 19 it would not make changes, arguing the materials are medically accurate, previously approved by ACF, relevant to the authorizing statute, and beyond ACF’s enforcement authority.
• HHS estimates California stands to lose about $12.3 million in multi‑year funding; the grant has supported programs reaching roughly 13,000 youths a year through 20 agencies in schools and youth-serving settings.
• The termination letter gives the state 30 days to appeal to the Departmental Appeals Board and cites lessons defining transgender and nonbinary identities and stating gender identity can differ from biological sex.
• The decision is part of a broader enforcement campaign on transgender policies, including the president’s threat to withhold funding from noncompliant California school districts and a DOJ lawsuit challenging the state’s high school sports rules.