In February 2005, Washington County’s Health Officer made a presentation to the County Commissioners about the County’s alarming teen birth rate being the fourth highest in Maryland distinguishing the County by being above both the national and state rate for births to teens ages 15 to 19. This presentation to the County Commissioners, as well as others made by the Health Officer in various forums initiated a community consciousness awakening.

In March 2005, United Way of Washington County convened a meeting of community stakeholders who might play a role in creating better outcomes for County youth and families. These stakeholders agreed to meet to study the teen pregnancy issue and became the core membership of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force.

In September 2005, the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families funded a teen pregnancy needs assessment to become better informed about the culture of teen pregnancy in the County. The needs assessment findings and recommendations were the result of surveying local teens and parents about teen sexual activity and other risk behaviors, adult and teen experiences talking with each other about sex, adult supervision of teens and parents awareness of their children’s sexual activity. The Task Force agreed to move forward with implementation strategies.

In January 2006, a consultant was hired to work with the Task Force in implementing the various strategies. This position was funded for six months by the Washington County Health Department. United Way of Washington County and the Washington County Health System funded the position for an additional six months. From April, 2007 until July, 2007,