The Region - News from Aug. 5, 1987

Despite objections from religious groups, the Los Angeles Board of Education voted unanimously to accept a grant of nearly $600,000 to pay for the opening of three high school health clinics that will provide a variety of health services, including dispensing contraceptives. After a brief discussion, the board voted 7-0 to accept the grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a New Jersey-based philanthropic organization that has helped pay for 24 school-based clinics across the nation. Religious groups and others had fought the clinics, saying the dispensing of birth-control devices will encourage sexual promiscuity. The money will pay for the opening this fall of clinics at Jordan High School in Watts, San Fernando High School in the East San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles High School in Central Los Angeles. Parental consent is required for students to use the clinics, and parents can specify which services can be offered their children.