The Teen Parent Policy Advisory Board (TPPAB)

About the TPPAB

The Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy Teen Parent Policy Advisory Board (TPPAB) is a group of current and former teen parents working to help government decision-makers understand the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in Massachusetts. The board members provide the Alliance with a teen parent perspective on our policy strategies and projects. This improves the effectiveness of our advocacy on behalf of teen parents and provides teen parents an opportunity to build leadership skills and get involved in policy advocacy.

Some of the activities accomplished by the TPPAB this year include creating the Emergency Resource Guide for Teen Parents, speaking at Teen Parent Lobby Day, creating an art exhibit for Teen Parent Lobby Day, and sending postcards to policymakers to advocate for funding for teen parent programs in the Massachusetts state budget. An important overall goal of the board is for teen parents to positively impact the lives of other pregnant and parenting teens through policy change — in the words of one of our TPPAB members:

Being a member of the TPPAB gives us the ability to change the lives of teen parents and their children across Massachusetts. The TPPAB gives us an opportunity to better our futures. We can voice our opinions and present ideas knowing they will be heard. We are no longer wondering “What if we could change things?” But instead we are watching our changes happen.

Tabitha West, TPPAB member

How to Get Involved with the TPPAB

If you are a current or former teen mom or dad (between the ages of 18 and 24) who wants to improve the lives of pregnant and parenting teens across Massachusetts, get involved in advocacy, and build leadership skills, then you are perfect for the TPPAB!

Please contact Liz Umbro at 617-482-9122 x101 or umbro@massteenpregnancy.org for more information about this opportunity.