King county lawsuit blocks feds from terminating teen pregnancy prevention program

King County won an important victory in U.S. District Court after demonstrating that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services acted unlawfully in abruptly cancelling its Teen Pregnancy Prevention grants two years early.

“We sued the federal government because they are attempting to eliminate funding for programs based on science and evidence in favor of right-wing ideology that is out of touch with reality,” said Executive Constantine. 

“We stood up for our youth and for teachers who depend on the FLASH curriculum, one of the most respected sexual health education programs in the nation."

The ruling means HHS must now process King County’s application within 60 days, and it can only deny funding if it can show good cause or that the County failed to comply with the terms of the grant. During the initial three years, the FLASH grant received stellar reviews from HHS.