Performance Measurement Development for Hawaii Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Positive Youth Development Programs

The Hawaii Department of Human services (DHS) uses the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant to fund a diverse set of positive youth development (PYD) programs to prevent teenage pregnancy and other behaviors that can negatively affect a successful transition to adulthood. DHS selected a PYD approach because 1) a broader PYD approach is expected to be more cost-effective than a narrower teenage pregnancy prevention (TPP) approach; and 2) a PYD approach yields numerous other social benefits related to fostering self-sufficiency (e.g., staying in school, avoiding abuse of alcohol and drugs, building character, developing job and decision-making skills). The report details Hawaii’s efforts in the development of appropriate performance measures for its TPP and PYD programs.