A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Community-Based, School-Linked Programs

Y's Parent Center

Mission:

To assist pregnant and parenting teenage women in the development of skills that empower them to overcome obstacles created by teen pregnancy.

Housed in a community-based facility, the Y?s Parent Center is a school-linked educational program that has been in existence since 1986. The program serves white (65 percent), African-American (25 percent), and Hispanic (10 percent) students, ages 13 to 20. Approximately 80 pregnant and parenting teen mothers receive services on an annual basis, and child care is provided on site for 64 children up to 4 years of age.

The program serves young women up to 20 years old who are pregnant or parenting. Services are offered to help teens complete their education and to assist in the development and implementation of plans leading to financial and emotional security. The program seeks to reduce the incidence of second teen pregnancies and to prevent child abuse through parenting skills training and early detection of potentially abusive behavior. It also increases participants? awareness and utilization of community resources.

Classes held in the afternoons include a support group facilitated by a counselor that emphasizes understanding child development and parenting and offers a monthly parent-child activity, pregnancy wellness as a supplement to Lamaze, career identification and exploration, and independent living skills. An academic class offers self-paced study, tutoring, or a streamlined program for GED completion. For those who have completed high school, assessments and resources are available to help them investigate career and postsecondary educational options. The program emphasizes contact with representatives of community agencies as a means of building a strong network of resources.

Success is monitored through records and documented in annual reports.

[Young Family Independence Program]

[Youth Health Service, Inc.]