Program for teen parents

Casey Family Programs Examines challenges faced by child welfare agencies that are working with pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and discusses effective programs for this population that aim to ensure the healthy development of the teen parent and the child.

The website includes information on what parents may be feeling, what teens may be feeling, and special considerations for pregnant teens. For Young Parents ShiftNC Shares information on the education and medical rights of pregnant and parenting teens in North Carolina who are currently in school. The resource also offers information on where teen parents can access support resources such as, finding child care, finding support groups, financial benefits, and recommendations to stay healthy.

Parent Connection Family Services Highlights the Parent Connection program in Wisconsin designed to support teen parents and their children that offers the following programs, Parents as Teachers for teen parents, teen parent mentoring program, fatherhood programs, and young parent group and workshops.

Teen Parenting Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services Offers information on supports for pregnant and parenting teens, especially those involved with child welfare services, in L. Children have the greatest physical, emotional, and cognitive development during their first three years of life. This means the interactions they have with their parents and caregivers are crucial during this period.

But because teen parents are young and inexperienced, they may not realize how much influence—good or bad—they have on their children's development. Finding a job. It may be harder to keep or find a job that fits around school and parental responsibilities.

Earning enough money. Research shows that teen mothers tend to earn less than women who have children later in life. They're also more likely to experience poverty. Negative perceptions. There are still negative stereotypes surrounding teen parents.

People tend to see adolescent moms as sexually irresponsible and adolescent dads as uninvolved or absent. Studies indicate that being a teen mother may increase the likelihood of mood disorders like depression. Young fathers are at a higher risk of becoming depressed too. Stress and depression can also put adolescent parents at risk for substance use. Repeat births. Having more than one child as a teenager can intensify the challenges of finishing school, earning enough money, and finding quality childcare.

Repeat pregnancies are also associated with a higher risk of low birth weight and infant death. Adolescent moms and their children have some unique health risks too. This is why it's so important for them both to be under the care of a pediatrician. The risks are higher for mothers under the age of 17 years. These complications also seem to be more common in teens that don't have proper prenatal care.

Learning difficulties. Yes, there are many challenges and risks involved with being a teenage parent. But as a grandparent, your love and support can make all the difference. Here are some ways to help your child so they can find a healthy, positive life path. Seeing an obstetrician regularly helps both mother and baby stay healthy. It also lessens the risk for labor and delivery complications.

Watch out for signs of tobacco use, drinking , or taking drugs. Using any of these can harm the baby. Let your child's obstetrician know if you think these might be a problem. It's a good idea to start classes during pregnancy so your child can learn how to take care of a baby before it arrives.

Getting educated will also help your child manage the transition to parenthood more smoothly. And because parent-child interactions are so important, especially during the first three years, keeping up these classes benefits everyone. Encourage your child to get a high school diploma and then a trade school or college degree.

This will give your child confidence and help them support their child. Because teen moms are at a high risk of getting pregnant again, it's important that they know about their contraceptive options. For instance, they can have an intrauterine device IUD or implant placed right after birth. This helps reduce the likelihood of a repeat pregnancy during adolescence.

Both the IUD and the implant last for years depending on the type and are completely reversible. Breast milk is the best nutrition for babies. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that moms of any age exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. After that, it's best to keep breastfeeding along with introducing other foods until the baby is at least one year old.

The program provides constant 24 hour a day staff support. We provide referrals for all medical and educational needs,as well as transportation to and from appointments. Weekly groups run by staff at the program educate young parents on parenting topics and independent living skills. We provide referrals for therapeutic services, childbirth education,daycare enrollment as well as assistance with DTA,WIC and housing. We encourage and invite family involvement ,and offer young fathers education through attendance at Healthy Families visits and Young Parents Support Program support.

Parents and relatives are invited to visit. Cookouts and Holiday parties are open to all involved and appropriate family. The Teen Parenting Program partners with many other community programs in order to offer the best care and support. We believe in the power of resiliency. We work to build self confidence in all we serve. We value diversity. We believe that hard work pays off. We believe that all children deserve a safe environment. We believe in the power of education to change lives.