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

Community-Based, School-Linked Programs

Youth Health Service, Inc.

Mission:

Help families and communities support and safeguard the vitality and growth of children between the ages of conception to 18 years and assist pregnant and parenting adolescents in raising healthy children and becoming financially self-sufficient.

Located in a community-based facility in a rural county area, YHS is a comprehensive school-linked program that has been in existence since 1978. Approximately 29 pregnant and 50 parenting adolescent mothers enroll each year, child care is provided for 50 children, and teen fathers may receive some services but are not formally enrolled. The program serves white (98 percent), African-American (1 percent), and American Indian (1 percent) students up to 18 years of age.

YHS is a private, nonprofit agency established to provide comprehensive health and social services, directly or by referral, to adolescents in Randolph County and surrounding communities and to their families. Program services are designed on a public health model of staged risk assessment and enhancement of protective factors. A strengths-based case management system links and coordinates age-appropriate services (on and off site) for each individual client and family. Each program division (Early Childhood, Children?s Service, Adolescent) is staffed with a multidisciplinary team of professionals.

YHS Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting programs were developed through two demonstration projects funded by the Office of Adolescent Family Life, which continues to provide service through third-party reimbursements and community support. The YHS Preventative Health Service Division offers health education and support services during pregnancy. After delivery, the parent is encouraged to take advantage of parenting education and support and to enroll the baby in the Early Childhood Division for continuous services that enhance the child?s development. The agency provides prevention services to students on site at the Elkins Junior High School and works closely with the school system to encourage students to stay in school and at grade level during the early parenting period.

Services provided to pregnant adolescents include prenatal and childbirth education, supportive counseling, regular monitoring of health status, ongoing health education related to their pregnancy, and parenting education. Individual and family therapy services are available as well. If appropriate, teens are referred off site for drug/alcohol treatment and followed up at YHS. GED classes are offered on site for adolescent parents already out of school. Transportation, space, and child care services are provided by YHS, and the school system provides the teacher and supplies.

Infants and children of adolescents are enrolled in the Early Childhood Service Division, which includes child care, developmental assessments, parenting education, parent-child interaction groups, and infant stimulation to promote healthy development. An individualized plan is developed by a multidisciplinary team that includes the parents. Community linkages with schools, health care providers, social services, churches, and civic groups play a vital role in providing comprehensive community-based services to adolescents and their families.

State and county statistics for adolescent pregnancy and low birth weight in the YHS catchment area are success indicators.

[Y's Parent Center]

[Mercy Children's Medical Center]