Projects

The PREP Multi-Component Evaluation: Examining a Nationwide Effort to Fund Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programming

2011–2020

Project Overview

Objective

The evaluation documented how the PREP initiative unfolded nationwide. It also examined the effectiveness of four PREP-funded programs.

Prepared For

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families

The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) Multi-Component Evaluation documented how the federal PREP initiative unfolded nationwide. It also assessed the effectiveness of four PREP-funded programs using a random assignment research design.

Reducing pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and associated risk behaviors among teenagers has been a long-standing policy concern. Although teen pregnancy rates in the United States have declined, these rates are still high compared with those of other industrialized countries. In addition, the negative consequences of teenage pregnancy, including health and developmental issues for mothers and children, education and employment issues for teen parents, and economic costs for society, can be high.

To help reduce these risks, Congress authorized the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) as part of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services oversees the program. Through PREP, FYSB provides a mix of competitive and formula block grants to U.S. states and local organizations to provide educational programs to adolescents on teen pregnancy prevention and related topics. By supporting these programs, PREP ultimately aims to further reduce rates of teen pregnancy, STIs, and associated sexual risk behaviors, particularly among high-risk youth.

Read More
/-/media/internet/v2/project-pages/pyramid.png
Project Impact

PREP Reaches Far and Wide to Provide Influential Programming to Youth

From 2013 to 2017, PREP has served more than 400,000 youth through nearly 500 multi-component programs to help reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. 

PREP Interactive Brief

Related Staff

Robert Wood

Robert Wood

Senior Fellow; Director of Youth and Family Research

View Bio Page
Melissa Thomas

Melissa Thomas

Senior Survey Researcher

View Bio Page
Jean Knab

Jean Knab

Principal Researcher  

View Bio Page
Lara Hulsey

Lara Hulsey

Principal Researcher

View Bio Page
Susan Zief

Susan Zief

Principal Researcher

View Bio Page
Brian  Goesling

Brian Goesling

Director, Business Development

View Bio Page

See Clearly. Act Quickly.

From local to global challenges in health, human services, and international development, we’re here to improve public well-being and make progress together. Learn more about becoming a Mathematica client or partner.

Work With Us