Teen Pregnancy & Prevention Partnership

TPPP believes that educating and engaging parents and providers who work directly with young people ensures Missouri teens receive medically accurate information to make informed and healthy decisions about their health and sexuality. We focus our work in the areas of advocacy, awareness, collaboration and training. When our organization formed in 1997, teens in Missouri faced higher rates of unintended teen pregnancy and there were nearly twice as many teen births as there are today. In fact, the Missouri teen birth rate is down more than 60% from its peak in 1991 (https://powertodecide.org/what-we-do/information/national-state-data/missouri).

Sexual health education was inconsistent and optional prior to the pandemic and there is no evidence that it will be a priority for public schools in the near future. In 2019, TPPP produced a report from a survey with of local youth. Teens were disappointed with the quality and quantity of the sex education they received in school. The gaps in sexual health education have a direct impact on the wellbeing of teens. Missouri currently ranks higher in teen births than the national average and St. Louis continues to report some of the highest sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates in the nation (cdc.gov).

Research shows that parent communication about sex can support their children in delaying sexual activity and using condoms (Advocates for Youth). By offering responsive parent programs on sexual health in 2021, we can fill a widening gap in formal sex education and set families up for success.

Our accomplishments include:
- A (virtual) annual conference on a variety of adolescent sexual health topics for over 120 youth serving adults
- Providing Sexual Health 101 & 202 workshops to professionals across Missouri
- Holding Professional Development & Networking meetings in St. Louis quarterly which serve over 100 people each year
- Collaborating with 50+ Organizational and Individual Members to support adolescent health throughout the state
- Promoting youth-friendly prevention services through our "Care During COVID" campaign

We have also testified on bills to modify the state statute that governs sexual health education and legislation that impacts access to reproductive care and preventive services for teens. By joining together to advocate for comprehensive sex ed, we are significantly impacting the health of Missouri teens. Your gift today will provide information and support parents, families and new generations of young people!