South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
1331 Elmwood Avenue
Suite 140
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 771-7700
(803) 771-6916 FAX
Summerville Office
(843) 879-0874
The South Carolina Council on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention was founded in 1994 by Joy Campbell and a network of grassroots advocates and supporters. Original funding for the organization was provided through the March of Dimes with a matching grant from the South Carolina Health and Human Services Finance Commission. The organization's first operating budget ($50,000) supported one full-time staff person, a half-time graduate assistant and operating expenses not including donated office space.
In 1995, then Governor David Beasley withdrew state funding for the SC Council on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, but fortunately the March of Dimes increased their allocation to allow the project to continue. According to the grant proposal funded by the March of Dimes, the organization's work was to be centered on four action areas: public awareness, technical assistance, education and advocacy.
In 1999 the organization officially became the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy to reflect an ongoing partnership with the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. In addition, a formal mission statement to reduce adolescent pregnancy in South Carolina through public awareness, technical assistance, education and advocacy was introduced. Several marquee events highlighted the initial years of the organization including the publication of "South Carolina Speaks", a survey of registered voters regarding comprehensive sex education in public schools; an economic impact study detailing the costs of public services to families begun when the mother was a teen; and an annual Summer Institute.
Joy Campbell, the organization's founder and first president stepped down in December 2001 and was replaced by Dr. Suzan D. Boyd. Dr. Boyd's prior experience ranged from management and primary care activities at the Brookside Park Family Life Center in Boston, MA, to Vice President of Ambulatory Services at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, to Director of the MHA Program at the USC Arnold School of Public Health. Also in 2002 a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was secured representing the first federal funding ever received by the organization.
Under Dr. Boyd's leadership the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy grew significantly in scope, reach and size. Most notably, the organization grew from two full-time staff members to over 20 full and part-time staff in her five year tenure. The reach and sophistication of the organization grew considerably as well. By 2007 the SC Campaign was serving programs in all 46 counties of the state, the annual Summer Institute was recognized as one of the best conferences in the country, and over 1,000 providers participated in educational workshops.
In January 2007, following Dr. Boyd's retirement, Forrest Alton assumed the position of Executive Director. Prior to this appointment Mr. Alton served the organization in multiple capacities including as Associate Director. Mr. Alton holds a Masters in Public Health from the USC Arnold School of Public Health and has been a part of teen pregnancy prevention efforts in South Carolina for nearly 10 years.
The South Carolina Campaign is now a national leader in the prevention of adolescent pregnancy, employs nearly 30 persons, and continues to realize the benefits of a commitment to research proven prevention strategies and an investment in the state's young people - teen pregnancy rates have decreased by nearly 40% since 1990!
