Forrest L. Alton Chief Executive Officer South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

1. Nobody Does it Alone:
The Power of Connection
Forrest L. Alton, Chief Executive Officer
SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

2. About Us
Our Mission
As a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, we are committed to improving the
health and economic well being of individuals, communities, and the state
of South Carolina by preventing teen pregnancy. (updated June 2012)

3. Our Progress
15-19 yr old teen birth rate DECREASED 54%

4. How Did We
Get Here?
Together…

5. So that means collaboration?

6. Partners in Prevention
• Strong collaboration with state agencies
– Department of Education
– Department of Social Services
– Department of Health and Environmental Control
– Department of Health and Human Services
– Children’s Trust / Nurse Family Partnership
– SC Office of Rural Health
• Leadership role in leveraging federal funding for
teen pregnancy prevention in SC
• Statewide focus – emphasis on high need areas

10. We need a new narrative!
5 Things We Can All
Do Better…

11. 1) Identify THE Connectors
• We do PROGRAMS really,
really well…
• We don’t do
CONNECTION!!!
• 6 degrees of separation?
• Some agencies, and some
people are better at this than
others!
• Get out of your comfort zone.

12. Draw a picture…

13. 2) Pay very close attention
• What are partners
telling you they can
contribute?
• How can we decrease
duplication and work
more efficiently?
• What is the community
telling you they need?
Want?
• ASK QUESTIONS!

16. 3) Get a bigger table
• What do YOU need help with?
• Stay focused on the ultimate goal. Go BIG!
• The end consumers are real people in communities!
• Invite everyone to it… be more inclusive!

18. Connection to Poverty
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES
a child grows up in poverty if:
1) The mother gave birth as a teen?
2) The parents were unmarried when child was born?
3) The mother didn’t receive a high school diploma?
NONE
7%
Any ONE
27%
Any TWO
42%
ALL THREE
64%

19. 4) Use pressure points…

22. 5) Focus on WHY and NOW!
• Figure out the WHY first… the
WHAT and HOW will come!
• Ya’ gotta’ believe!!!
Do you believe in true social
change, believe that we can make
a difference, that we can change
the world??
• THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW!
• This revolution will not be tweeted!!

23. For Additional Information:
SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
1331 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 140
Columbia, SC 29201
tel: 803-771-7700
www.teenpregnancysc.org
www.facebook.com/SCCampaign
www.twitter.com/SCCampaign