Results of large-scale implementation of evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) programs

In 2010, the Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) awarded $75 million to 75 grantees to replicate evidence-based TPP programs. Grantees receive up to $4 million a year for five years and must implement programs with fidelity. This represented the first-time a large Federal investment was dedicated to evidence-based TPP programs.

OAH grantees developed a fidelity monitoring plan and are required to report data on reach, dosage (how much of the program the participants receive), fidelity (whether the program was implemented as intended), and quality of implementation. Performance measure data collected from all OAH grantees for a twelve month period were analyzed for the overall grant program, as well as by program model, program type (i.e. abstinence education, clinic-based, comprehensive sex education, and youth development), and program setting.

In one year, OAH grantees served over 100,000 youth with evidence-based programs in 37 States and DC. Overall, 47% were male; the majority were 14 years and younger; 42% were Black; and 31% were Hispanic/Latino. Average attendance across all programs was 77% and reported fidelity was 94% across grantees, however wide variability was found across individual programs, program types, and program settings for dosage (42-100%); fidelity (62-100%); and quality (46-100%).

Overall, the majority of grantees were able to implement programs with fidelity. However, the data indicate increased attention must be paid to participant retention. To ensure youth receive the benefits of the evidence-based program, it is critical that organizations retain youth for the majority of the program.