Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP) Program

The Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (CAPP) collaborates with community agencies, schools, churches, businesses, youth, and families to provide medically accurate and age-appropriate programming for sexual health and responsible decision-making among Iowa youth.

History

In 1987, then Governor Terry Branstad brought together a group of legislators, policy makers, service organizations, customers and citizens to determine the top five challenges facing Iowa in the future. Teen pregnancy was selected as an area of concern.

Based on recommendations from this group the Iowa Legislature appropriated $500,000 in state dollars to Iowa DHS for an adolescent pregnancy prevention project, now known as CAPP.

Today, 19 offices across Iowa provide services in over 56 counties.

CAPP Program Structure

The centerpiece of CAPP is an evidence-based pregnancy prevention curriculum taught through public middle and/or high schools, or a youth-serving organization. The curriculum shows positive changes in teen sexual behaviors .