Expectant & Parenting Young Families
In 2016, nearly 210,000 babies were born to women between ages 15 and 19. This represented an eight percent decrease in birth rates for this age group from 2015.1 The needs and wellbeing of expectant and parenting young people are an ongoing priority for local and federal programming and service providers.
Expectant and parenting young families have unique needs that require special attention to best promote positive short- and long-term outcomes. The needs of expectant and parenting young families can be complex and interconnected. As a group, they are more likely to be low-income and face more challenges in completing a high school education and receiving adequate prenatal care. Pregnant teens are also more likely to smoke during pregnancy, receive inadequate nutrition, and give birth to low birth weight and pre-term infants.2 Additionally, almost 20 percent of births to teen mothers are repeat births, which is a second or more pregnancy ending in a live birth before the age of 20.3 Research shows that providing support services to expectant and parenting young families can make a difference in improving educational, health, and social outcomes for expectant and parenting young people and their families.4
Expectant and parenting young girls and young women are likely to come into contact with multiple sectors such as primary care, emergency care, social services, juvenile justice, and mental health care. This population is likely to need different types of support, including help with promoting self-sufficiency and positive outcomes in their education, housing, finances, parenting skills, and healthy relationships (e.g., co-parenting, conflict resolution).5 Therefore it is important for service providers to have a comprehensive understanding of the distinctive challenges and needs of expectant and parenting young people to be able to best serve them and their child(ren).
Resources
Moms.gov
Moms.gov, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides resources and information for new and expecting parents on topics including maternal health, nutrition, mental health, breastfeeding, adoption, and financial supports. The website also connects families to pregnancy centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other services designed to support healthy pregnancies and young families.
Reproductive Health Services and Resources
This webpage from the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) provides a wide range of resources on family planning, STI prevention, parenting, baby health, and education for pregnant and parenting teens and their children.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, managed by the Office of Family Assistance of the Office of the Administration of Children & Families, provides resources for responsible fatherhood information, designed to promote and encourage the appropriate involvement of fathers in the lives of their children through curricula, webinars, and other resources.
Working with Pregnant and Parenting Teens Tip Sheet (PDF, 8 pages)
This tip sheet developed by the Family and Youth Services Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of important topics concerning expectant and parenting teens and working with this population.