Other Youth Topics

Federal Efforts

There are a number of current federal efforts available to support expectant and parenting young families. The following reviews the currently available programming and approaches offered through federal agencies:

Education

The Department of Education provides funding to states to disperse the funds to the expectant and parenting young family population, including Race to the Top. Additionally, the Department of Education also administers the Perkins Career and Technical Education Program and acts as a lead agency for the Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth, both of which serve expectant and parenting young families in select cities.

Employment

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA), a youth employment program (PDF, 3 pages) available through the Division of Youth Services in the Department of Labor, provides employment support to in-school youth ages 14 to 24 and out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24.

Home Visiting Programs

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau in the Health Resources and Services Administration provides home visiting programs and referrals to community resources that directly benefit expectant and parenting young families.

Homelessness

The Family and Youth Services Bureau provides Maternity Group Homes for homeless pregnant and parenting youth ages 16 to 22. This programming also offers educational services on parenting skills, child development, family budgeting, and health and nutrition.

Intimate Partner Violence/Teen Dating Violence

The Family and Youth Services Bureau provides educational resources and awareness on intimate partner violence and teen dating violence. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Program helps provide support for emergency shelter and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children through a number of different programs.

Juvenile Justice

The Second Chance Act program – Strengthening Relationships between Young Fathers, Young Mothers, and Their Children – from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention provides funding to support the successful transition for young fathers and mothers as they return to their families and communities from detention, out-of-home placement, or incarceration.

Nutrition

The Supplemental Food Programs Division in the Department of Agriculture provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support to mothers and fathers, including expectant and parenting young families.

Resources

Launching Programs to Support Expectant and Parenting Youth (PDF, 56 pages)
This report from the PAF Program includes how grantees developed a strategic approach, programs to address complex needs, a structure to support success, and conclusions from early program implementation.

Meeting the Needs of Pregnant and Parenting Teens: Local Health Department Programs and Services (PDF, 20 pages)
This resource from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) describes local programs from across the U.S. that serve expectant and parenting young families, challenges faced by these types of programs, and recommendations.

OPA's Pregnancy Assistance Fund: Supporting Young Parents and Their Children
This Office of Population Affairs (OPA) video describes how former Pregnancy Assistance Fund PAF grantees support expectant and parenting youth in caring for children, building healthier relationships, and achieving their goals.

PAF Successful Strategies
This OPA webpage profiles the accomplishments of former Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) grantees and highlights their strategies for working with pregnancy and parenting teens, women, fathers, and families.

Sustainability Study of Former PAF Programs
This OPA webpage provides information on key lessons on sustainability that were learned from a set of grantees funded through the PAF program.

Other Resources on this Topic

Announcements

Youth Briefs

How Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Planning Makes a Difference for Youth with Disabilities

Youth who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and especially young adults of transition age, should be involved in planning for life after high school as early as possible and no later than age 16. Transition services should stem from the individual youth’s needs and strengths, ensuring that planning takes into account his or her interests, preferences, and desires for the future.

Youth Transitioning to Adulthood: How Holding Early Leadership Positions Can Make a Difference

Research links early leadership with increased self-efficacy and suggests that leadership can help youth to develop decision making and interpersonal skills that support successes in the workforce and adulthood. In addition, young leaders tend to be more involved in their communities, and have lower dropout rates than their peers. Youth leaders also show considerable benefits for their communities, providing valuable insight into the needs and interests of young people

How Trained Service Professionals and Self-Advocacy Makes a Difference for Youth with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Co-occurring Issues

Statistics reflecting the number of youth suffering from mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders highlight the necessity for schools, families, support staff, and communities to work together to develop targeted, coordinated, and comprehensive transition plans for young people with a history of mental health needs and/or substance abuse.

Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions

Nearly 30,000 youth aged out of foster care in Fiscal Year 2009, which represents nine percent of the young people involved in the foster care system that year. This transition can be challenging for youth, especially youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.

Coordinating Systems to Support Transition Age Youth with Mental Health Needs

Research has demonstrated that as many as one in five children/youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Read about how coordination between public service agencies can improve treatment for these youth.

Civic Engagement Strategies for Transition Age Youth

Civic engagement has the potential to empower young adults, increase their self-determination, and give them the skills and self-confidence they need to enter the workforce. Read about one youth’s experience in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).