What if a coalition, bound together by determination and a common goal, decided to make adolescent pregnancy prevention a priority?

They would make a difference in their community.

And so, The Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Program (TAPP), a program of Catholic Charities Community Services, was born. Represented by a diverse group of professionals, community leaders, volunteers, clergy and youth, this group envisioned a total community collaboration that would reduce adolescent pregnancy in Yavapai County. They seek to create an environment of family and community support that promotes education, self-development, and individual responsibility. With primary funding from the Flinn Foundation, the program moved from a vision to action.

In January 2008 TAPP changed its name to North Star Youth Partnership to better reflect our program goals and objectives.

Agencies that comprise the North Star Leadership Council include the Prescott Unified School District, Youth Count, Prescott YMCA, Humboldt Unified School District, Girl Scouts - Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc., the Yavapai County Community Health Services, Yavapai Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Chino Valley School District and Catholic Charities. 

It takes all of us... in a variety of roles...
because there is no such thing as someone else's child.

• Every day in Arizona 39 teen girls become pregnant.
• Arizona has the 5th highest adolescent birth rate in the nation.
• Most teen pregnancies occur on weekdays between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• 95% of all teen pregnancies are unplanned.
• 47% of all high school students have had sex.
• 25% of sexually active students used alcohol or drugs the last time they had sex.
• 80% of teens report feeling feeling pressured to have sex.
• 10% of female high school students were forced to have sex when they did not want to.
• 42% of sexually active students had not used a condom the last time they had sex.        Source: ACAPP

The prevention of teen pregnancy becomes a reality when communities and individuals play a supporting role by working to provide health - opportunities for children and adolescents in schools, religious and service organizations, and local businesses. North Star Youth Partnership is a Community Coalition of concerned citizens in Yavapai County bound together by their determination to make adolescent pregnancy prevention a priority.

Arizona Facts at a Glance click here

Want some tips on talking to your kids about sex?  Click on Family Connections