Our Story
From our start in 1979, we focused on an often-overlooked group of young people: those who were pregnant and parenting. Back then, we were known as the National Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting, or NOAPP. Over time, we added a third “P” to our name to bring in prevention, while never losing sight of supports and services for young people who are pregnant or parenting.
Inclusive and affirming is just who we are. For all young people.
We have continued to evolve from there. Because sexual and reproductive health is not just about risk reduction or preventing pregnancy or disease—it’s also about healthy relationships, sex positivity, gender and sexuality, and so much more. It’s about equipping young people with the information and services they need to thrive. To be who they are and love who they love. And so, we became more holistic.
We are Healthy Teen Network.
What hasn't changed is that we are here for you. We know you do your best when you're connected to great opportunities and resources—and with others working in sexual and reproductive health.
We are your network, a national membership organization (501c3), joined together to support and empower young people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. The magic of this network comes from you.
OUR VISION
A world where all adolescents and young adults lead healthy and fulfilling lives
Our Guiding Principles
Rights
Every young person has the right to be who they are and love who they love. That means living in a world that affirms and celebrates them for who they are. That means having the agency, opportunity, and access to make decisions about their bodies, relationships, and futures. (And feel good doing it!) That includes decisions about if, when, and how to parent—or not.
Inclusivity
We are inclusive and affirming. This started with our first focus on young people who are pregnant or parenting. Today, it’s just who we are.
We know how and where youth live, learn, and play matters. We look at the big picture and approach our work with an eye toward social justice. This is how we can create a more just and equitable world.
Evidence
We believe in science. The evidence, the research, tells us what works. And using that is the most efficient and effective way to get to our outcomes.
Innovation
We build on what we know works to innovate. Innovation helps us create solutions to meet the ever-changing lives of young people.
Youth Centered
We center youth. This is how we can support and empower every young person to be who they are and love who they love.
Access
Young people have a right to quality and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education and care. Access is essential for them to make decisions about their bodies and relationships, and about pregnancy and parenting.
OUR MISSION
We promote better outcomes for adolescents and young adults by advancing social change, cultivating innovation, and strengthening youth-supporting professionals and organizations.
What We Mean
When we say "quality," we mean sexual and reproductive health education and services must be...
Our Members
We're here because of you.
We connect you to the people you want to talk to and learn from. The teachers and educators, counselors and clinicians, the caring adults working to empower young people.
We are your membership network. And it’s free to join.
Let’s start with an email? Say hello and get our latest news.
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Our Work
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Want to make a difference, too? We’d love for you to join us in creating a world where all young people lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Discover the magic of the Network.