5437546 ACR 21-6, 15-Year Anniversary of the Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting Program Recognition Resolution of 2015

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

 

21-6 

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

February 3, 2015

 

 

To recognize the 15-year anniversary of the Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting program in the District of Columbia.

 

WHEREAS, Washington Hospital Center’s Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting (“TAPP”) program was developed in August 1999 to prevent subsequent pregnancies for teen parents;

 

WHEREAS, over the past 15 years, TAPP has offered a competency-based approach grounded in positive youth development to young parents;

 

WHEREAS, participants in the TAPP program include pregnant and parenting youth 21 years of age and younger;

 

WHEREAS, they receive services until their child is 2 years of age or the teen parent is at least 18 years of age;

 

WHEREAS, program outreach targets Wards 1, 5, 7, and 8 but reaches participants throughout the District of Columbia;

  

WHEREAS, both teen mothers and fathers are eligible for services;

 

WHEREAS, TAPP’s philosophy is that high-quality medical services, combined with intensive youth development services and increased social supports, builds development competencies that increase teen parents’ motivation and ability to prevent subsequent pregnancies and move forward to live healthy, productive lives with their children;

 

WHEREAS, TAPP has been successful in preventing teen pregnancies and supporting contraceptive utilization among participants (Patchen, Berggren, LeTourneau 2013);

  

WHEREAS, 5.2% of program participants experienced subsequent births, which compares favorably to the 16% subsequent birth rate for the District of Columbia (Child Trends, 2011);

 

WHEREAS, 94% of TAPP participants continued or completed a high school or GED program within one year of delivery, while only 40% of teen parents graduate nationally; and

 

WHEREAS, TAPP attributes its success, in part, to its ability to initiate services early, during the prenatal period, and provide follow-up services until the child is 2 years of age or the mother is at least 18 years of age.

 

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the importance of eliminating teen pregnancy and calls upon the residents of this great city to support the work of the Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting program.

 

 Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “15-Year Anniversary of the Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting Program Recognition Resolution of 2015”.

 

Sec. 3.  This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.