History of the Kentucky Teenage Pregnancy Coalition

n 1975, the U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, through its Regional Family Planning Coordinators, sponsored a meeting in Atlanta and invited representatives from the states in order to establish a network of coalitions to deal with the increasing problem of adolescent pregnancy.  There were at least three persons from Kentucky in attendance at that first meeting.

In 1977, another meeting was sponsored in Dallas, Texas.  Its purpose was to build on the foundation laid at the first meeting.  Recommendations for persons to attend were requested from the Kentucky Department of Health Services.  Approximately five persons from Kentucky attended that meeting.

Subsequently a steering committee was formed and its purpose was to develop a constitution and bylaws for the Kentucky Coalition on Teenage Pregnancy.  That original steering committee consisted of representatives from the Department of Education, the Department of Human Resources (Social Insurance, Social Services and Health Services), the University of Kentucky, Planned Parenthoods, and several local health departments.  When the Coalition was actually formed in 1978, most of those original representatives were elected to the first Board of Directors.  The Coalition was organized to establish a collaborating network of interagency action to deal with the issues of adolescent pregnancy in Kentucky.

The goals of the Coalition were:

1. to create public awareness;
2. to establish action plans for strategies in order to address the issue of teenage pregnancy;
3. to advocate the implementation of the established action plans through task groups and private citizens
4. to develop and maintain ongoing evaluation of the established action plans.

In 1979, bylaws were adopted.  Also, 25 directors were installed.

The Coalition has sponsored meetings to establish local coalitions and held emergency contraception trainings.  KTPC has exhibited at the Kentucky State Fair, the Kentucky School Counselor’s Association, the Coordinated School Health Institute, and the Kentucky PTA Leadership Institute.  In November 2001, KTPC began sending representatives to the National Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention (NOAPP).  In 2005, NOAPP has changed its name to the Healthy Teen Network.  In 2009, KTPC provided training at no cost to its members on the Wise Guys curriculum.

KTPC holds a spring meeting  and a fall conference annually.  Nationally known speakers are brought in to discuss adolescent health issues.  Additionally, KTPC developed a quarterly newsletter.  The Board of Directors meets quarterly.