BOISE, Idaho — Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from ETR about its "3 in 30" online discussion.
Accusations from the self-described conservative think tank, Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), regarding the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) distributing "porn literacy" to Idaho school districts aired Sept. 14 on FOX News.
Before gaining national attention, IDHW denied this accusation in a press release.
The IFF 's entry point to their accusation revolved around a list of receipts between IDHW and an education nonprofit called Education, Training, and Research (ETR).
The receipts date back to 2016 where IDHW continuously purchased "education supplies" from ETR. The receipts do not detail the contents of these supplies.
IFF's original report on Sept. 13 suggests IDHW has purchased and distributed ETR curriculum called Reducing the Risk. IDHW confirmed the department does offer Reducing the Risk to Idaho school districts who choose to make it part of their sexual education course.
Reducing the Risk is geared toward kids ages 14 to 18 years old, according to ETR's website.
"ETR’s Reducing the Risk curriculum promises to teach abstinence," the IFF writes. "Instead, ETR delivers a variety of approaches, including a 'LGBTQ Inclusive' curriculum that queers education with an emphasis on 'gender identity, sexual orientation and behavior.'"
Reducing the Risk does not provide information regarding "LGBTQ Inclusive" curriculum or "gender identity, sexual orientation and behavior," according to Reducing the Risks table of contents.
The 16-part curriculum includes abstinence, preventing pregnancy, preventing sexually transmitted disease, and the effectiveness of contraceptives.
IFF's report continued to criticize other ETR curriculum and other resources connected with to ETR's various programs. Some of these programs, such as "3 in 30" are used as a training for parents and teachers.
However, these programs are not included in Reducing the Risk, and are not distributed by IDHW to Idaho school districts, according to IDHW's press release.
ETR marketing and communications director Lauren Ranalli on Monday, Sept. 19, issued the following statement:
"ETR does not have ANY porn literacy curriculum. 3 in 30 was an online discussion held in 2021 with guest speakers that was open to educators, clinicians, and parents. The discussion focused on how conversations about pornography come up in sex education and how trusted adults can answer young peoples’ questions about pornography."
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