Organizational History

 The Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting (TAPP) works to help prevent repeat pregnancies of adolescents while in their teen years.  We provide comprehensive clinical and social services to pregnant and parenting youth throughout the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. TAPP is housed within the Center for Adolescent Women in the Department of Women’s and Infants' Services at Washington Hospital Center.

The Center for Adolescent Women was established in 1993 to address the high rates of teen pregnancy in Washington, D.C.  Initially, the focus of the program was to provide quality obstetrical and gynecological care (OB/GYN). It soon became apparent that a medical model alone would not good enough to achieve adolescent pregnancy prevention goals. 

In 1998, the Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust and the Summit Fund of Washington provided seed funding to expand services provided by WHC. This support was used to develop the TAPP program and to initiate services; establish partnerships with community-based agencies; and begin case management for high-risk adolescents. TAPP’s director, Loral Patchen, was recruited in 1999 to begin these activities and manage program expansion.

In 2001, TAPP was awarded a five-year grant through the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs. Receiving federal support allowed TAPP to hire additional social services staff, and to establish the TAPP Fathers Care program. TAPP Fathers Care provides assistance to young fathers with employment training and job placement, as well as support and guidance as they adjust to the responsibilities of fatherhood. TAPP also began an ongoing series of parenting classes and weekly support groups.

TAPP expanded its social behavioral services in 2003 to include strong case management and youth development activities. These activities provide opportunities for participants to develop skills and to establish relationships with each other and staff members. 

A dedicated team of professionals, which includes nurse-midwives, physicians, registered nurses, outreach workers, social workers, counselors, and a certified health educator, work together to implement TAPP.  Washington Hospital Center established the TAPP program to serve youth in our local community and remains committed to its work.