The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding more than $68.5 million for the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program through cooperative agreements in 29 states and Puerto Rico, according to a news release.
“Improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes and promoting positive youth development is a cornerstone of supporting adolescent health and well-being,” said Rachel L. Levine, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health.
The TPP program is a competitive, national grant program that offers money to replicate and scale evidence-based TPP programs as well as to create and assess fresh, cutting-edge ideas for enhancing adolescent sexual health outcomes and fostering positive youth development in local communities across the country.
Through the TPP program, HHS aims to improve adolescent health equity by funding initiatives that benefit groups and communities with the greatest needs and who are also impacted by wide gaps. Along with supporting the implementation of evidence based programs, funding encourages meaningful participation of youth, parents/caregivers, and the community in the project's planning, execution, and evaluation as well as active teamwork with a network of partners to raise awareness of and access to adolescent-friendly health services, according to the release.
“These grant awards reflect the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to both sexual and reproductive health and to prioritizing health equity by centering the experience and expertise of the communities these funds are intended to serve," said Jessica Swafford Marcella, HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs. "The funded organizations will serve an estimated 210,000 youth each year and focus on reaching communities and populations that are disproportionally affected by unintended teen pregnancy and STIs.”
The five-year grants range from $350,000 to $2 million, the news release said. They support projects that serve communities and populations with the greatest need and facing significant disparities. A total of 53 organizations received the grants, HHS said in the news release.
