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

Community-Based, School-Linked Programs

A Step Up

Mission:

Develop a positive future for communities by reducing teen pregnancy, supporting and encouraging youth to make responsible choices, and strengthening families.

Founded in 1993, A Step Up offers prevention services to students at risk of pregnancy and parenting classes and support groups for pregnant and parenting teens. This school-linked program is located in a community facility and serves a suburban population consisting of white (58 percent), Hispanic (33 percent), African-American (3 percent), Asian (2 percent), and other (4 percent) populations, 10 to 19 years old. Annually, the program serves approximately 70 pregnant or parenting teenage girls, 10 teen fathers, 50 young females at high risk for pregnancy, and 75 teenage girls reached through school and community-based mentoring.

A Step Up addresses youth issues through community education programs, school and community-based mentoring programs, teen activities and leadership programs, and counseling and case management services for pregnant and parenting teens. Individual counseling, support groups, parenting classes, and fatherhood classes are offered.

Community education programs encourage parents to talk to their children about sexuality issues and facilitate anger management classes for parents and youth. A Step Up also hosts community forums on the development of assets in youth, provides parenting classes in the community, and offers adolescents hands-on experiences with an infant simulator. School and community-based mentoring programs link positive adult role models with elementary and middle school students. The programs offer positive recreational and social activities, emphasize academic achievement, and encourage friendships with mentors and other youth in the program.

Teen activities encourage youth to engage in fun and positive behaviors in safe places where they can expand their horizons, explore and develop new skills, and build positive support systems. Coupon books provide free, safe activities for teens, including swimming, basketball, art, dancing, and skating. An on-site computer lab offers free use of computers and state-of-the-art programs. Summer day camps for at-risk middle school girls offer social, recreational, and cultural programs. Scrap booking for teen parents is designed to enhance parental bonding with their babies in social gatherings.

The teen leadership program acknowledges that all youth possess skills and resources that society needs and should value. The program provides youth opportunities for responsible and meaningful contributions. Teens are actively involved in the development and production of Another Addition, a newsletter by and for teen parents. Teens serve on the speakers? bureau for the Think Twice Teen Pregnancy Prevention Panel and Peers in Community Leadership. They work on community service projects designed to foster a feeling of pride and investment in their community. The Teen Advisory Board brings area high school students together to discuss pertinent issues, actively take part in the community, and acts as a sounding board for the board of directors for A Step Up.

A Step Up evaluates process and outcome measures through surveys that document knowledge, attitude, and skill development. Follow-up contacts assess outcomes through anecdotal information.

[Teen Parent Program]

[Chicago Healthy Start]