About Us :: Initiatives

Youth Initiatives

As part of its commitment to searching out new and innovative strategies to use in the field of teen pregnancy prevention, the SC Campaign has taken a very active stance in the promotion of youth development as a prevention strategy. In terms of preventing teen pregnancy, one of the strongest youth development programs is the Teen Outreach Program (TOP). TOP is a program for young people ages 12 to 17 that seeks to prevent problem behaviors by providing the supports adolescents need to develop into healthy adults. A research-proven program that has been implemented successfully around the nation for more than 20 years, TOP has proven effective in increasing academic success as well as preventing teen pregnancy.

The Teen Outreach Program combines three interrelated elements:

  • Involving young people in structured, supervised volunteer service designed to improve their communities.

  • Linking volunteer work to curriculum-guided group discussions of topics directly related to students' service work.

  • Involving participants in curriculum-guided group discussions and activities related to a wide variety of topics, ranging from managing conflict to human development-issues related to adolescent development.

In a non-threatening environment under the guidance of a caring adult, TOP helps young people develop positive self-image, learn valuable life skills, and establish future goals. The TOP strategy is flexible and can be implemented in a variety of settings where teens routinely meet.

The Teen Outreach Program is designed to:

  • Promote young people's healthy behavior, increase school achievement and decrease behaviors that lead to negative outcomes.

  • Help young people acquire the skills and competencies necessary to grow into healthy, self-sustaining adults.

  • Give young people a sense of purpose through authentic opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways to their communities.

Beginning in July 2003 the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, in collaboration with The Palmetto Health Alliance, sponsored a series of TOP facilitator trainings. To date over 80 TOP facilitators have been trained to implement Teen Outreach program activities at the local level. There are currently trained program facilitators in 31 of the state's 46 counties. Programs are implemented in a variety of settings including during school, after-school, faith communities, and as part of larger community-based programs.

The Campaign has also developed a cadre of Teen Outreach Program trainers who are able to conduct facilitator trainings for local programs. For more information on the Teen Outreach Program, or to schedule a facilitator training in your area please contact the Director of Youth Initiatives at (803) 771-7700.