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

Compendium of School-Based and School-Linked Programs for Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents, February 1999

Community-Based, School-Linked Programs

Raising Hopes Infant and Teen Support Center

Agency: Raising Hopes Infant and Teen Support Center
10 Distillery Drive
Westminster, Maryland 21158
Telephone:
Fax:		 (410) 876-4849
(410) 857-8793
Contact Person: Laurie Jones, Service Coordinator
Annual Budget: $100,000
Primary Funding Sources: Community Development Block Grant; Maryland State Department of Human Resources; Governor's Council on Adolescent Pregnancy; United Way; community and church support; and donations.

Mission:

To provide support and licensed child care for teenage parents to enable them to stay in school and graduate, and move on to higher level of education.

Profile:

Raising Hopes Infant and Teen Support Center is a school-linked program that operates in both rural and city-based sites. Since 1995, the program has provided case management, support groups, transportation, counseling, financial support, and developmental child care. It serves up to 10 pregnant teens, 25 teen mothers, and 8 teen fathers annually. Program participants include white (60 percent), African-American (10 percent), Asian (10 percent), Hispanic (10 percent), and other (10 percent) populations, 13 to 20 years old.

Description of Service Model:

This program, which is part of the Carroll County Family Center, was started by the Carroll County Coalition on Teen Pregnancy, Parenting, and Prevention. The program is designed to provide a strong environment for learning and growth to teen parents and their children, including child care, and to reduce high school dropout rates of teen parents. Support services are provided to teen parents with children 6 weeks to 3 years old. Parenting education classes, a male/father support group, and case management are offered during and after school hours, empowering parents to finish their education and gain the skills needed to become self-sufficient. Services are available to parents attending high school or college.

The use of the licensed day care services requires mandatory weekly attendance of Teens Talking Together, a group setting that provides parent education, information on the availability of community services, and a place to discuss concerns and issues in a friendly atmosphere. Once a month there is also the opportunity for grandparents to participate in a support group activity. Vouchers are offered to assist teens with transportation. In-house counseling is available to any teen parent family enrolled in the program.

Evaluation Methods:

The program monitors school attendance, grades, and college enrollment. It also conducts surveys and follow-up.

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