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Reality Check, Inc. is an abstinence-only-until-marriage program that operates in schools,
reaching students from 6th to 12th grade. 17
Reality Check, Inc. is a life skills program that
addresses positive life choices for teens and adults. Our focus is on helping young people make positive choices in
all areas of life, based on accurate information. We do have an abstinence-until-marriage focus as part of our programming
as well as boundary setting, respect for self/others, and goal setting, among other topics.
Reality Check, Inc. is
not and has never been part of Tree of Life Preventative Health Maintenance. We are a NWA community-based
program that began under a Northwest Arkansas Pregnancy center in 2003. Reality Check, Inc. incorporated in March 2005
and received our non-profit status in March 2005. Reality Check, Inc. is a community-based non-profit. On our
website, www.realitycheckinc.org, all information on condoms, STD's, etc. is listed in our parent information and student information
site. All information is documented and cited.
The information below is in reference to Fort Smith's Tree of Life Preventative
Health program and taken from their website. NONE of the following information is about Reality Check, Inc.
We have had no part of programs stated or mis-information stated.
This organization serves as an
abstinence-only-until-marriage provider and also as the abstinence program of Tree of Life Preventative Health Maintenance.
Tree of Life receives Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage and CBAE grants.18 This organizations
identifies itself as "a Christian organization that promotes healthy living," and runs several programs in
addition to Reality Check, Inc.19 (For more information on Tree of Life, see the Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage
section). The Reality Check, Inc. organization presents misinformation on its website. Under the section "Programs,"
Reality Check, Inc. states that condoms "are not particularly effective when used to prevent pregnancy," "scientific
evidence shows that condoms may not prevent the transmission of most STDs," and "almost no risk reduction is provided
for HPV infection."20 However, when used consistently and correctly, condoms are 98 percent effective in preventing
pregnancy.21 In addition, according to the CDC, condoms can help protect sexually active individuals from a number of
STDs, including HPV.22
Reality Check, Inc. also produces television commercials featuring its staff members
who conduct abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in schools. One of the staff members tells students "Don't
cheapen yourself, you're worth more that you think," and "your emotions don't last, your future does."23
In addition, the Reality Check, Inc. sub-grantee also uses the services of the speaker
Keith Deltano.24 Mr. Deltano is an abstinence-only-until-marriage speaker and Christian
comedian who has given talks around the country in middle schools and high schools. SIECUS attended one of Mr. Deltano's
most popular presentation, "The New Sexual Revolution or Abstinence is Cool," and found that he uses a loud,
aggressive style, reminiscent of a football coach to badger students into accepting his abstinence-only-until-marriage ideology.
Deltano relies on messages of fear and shame, inaccurate and misleading information, and biased views of marriage and gender.
The highlight of Deltano's performance includes an activity designed to illustrate the effectiveness of condoms against
HIV in which he suggests that condoms fail 10% of the time and then he dangles a cinderblock over the genitals of an unsuspecting
male student yelling, "Is 10 percent good enough for you?!?! Is it good enough?!?!"
Reality Check, Inc. operates under one Federal
CBAE Grant and private funding for corporations and individuals.
If you are reading this from the Reality Check, Inc. website, you are on the site for the correct
information regarding Reality Check, Inc. We are open about our programs, and have great support from Administrations,
Teachers, Students, Parents, and the community at large because of the positive life changes witnessed in youth at the conclusion
of Reality Check, Inc. programs. We have an open door policy and invite you to stop by or call anytime for more information.
Thank you.
Beth Bryant
Executive Director
Reality Check, Inc.
