This project researches what resources are available to teen mothers and what was not available that they were still seeking.  At first the intention of the project was to create a living facility for teen moms that would be similar to transitional housing.  When looking into what would be needed to accomplish that it became clear that the time frame in which this project was to be completed would not allow for this.  After looking at some research and interviewing some teen moms I found that childcare and transportation are two of their biggest concerns. Thus the idea of starting a resource center that had child care specifically designed for teen moms was born.

Statement of Need

Child care is a huge dilemma for many Americans with young children.  However being a teen parent, especially a single one often makes it even more difficult to find. “Easy availability of free day-care services resulted in benefits to both mother and child. This supports the contention of other researchers that the availability of satisfactory day care is a crucial factor in the school-age mothers’ decision to continue their education,” (Clewell, 1989, p.208). Unless a student is fortunate enough to attend an alternative school where child care is provided for, many are forced to drop out.  “The social demands of on a single teenage parent are often in conflict with the needs of a baby; further, the current job market makes it extremely difficult for an under-educated single parent to support her child,” (Dorrell, 1994, p.225).   Hence in order for a parent to have the ability to support her child without having to become a victim of the cycle of dependency, adequate childcare is a necessity.

The welfare system has often been criticized for not providing adequate resources to single women with children.  Some feel that because of the way the system operates its much easier and makes more sense to be on welfare, not work and take care of their child, rather than work, receive no aid and become unable to find adequate affordable child care. “Teen mothers who had access to high quality day care for their children had an increased likelihood of completing high school, obtaining postsecondary training, and becoming self-supporting,” (Clewell, 1989, p.202).  And yet evidence clearly shows that child care is a major concern for teen parents that is often not targeted in teen parenting programs.  “Although day care has been repeatedly cited as one of the services most needed by teen mothers, it is also one that is least likely to be offered.  Of child-focused services, parenting classes seem to be offered most frequently,” (Clewell, 1989, p.202).  Because many teen parents often live at home with their own parents, and income is looked at based on income of the household, teens often find themselves stuck with no resources to turn to. 

Description of the Intervention

Through interviews with teen moms, other professionals who work with teen moms and a number of resources were identified that would be helpful to teen moms.  The center’s purpose then would be to serve the needs of teen mothers.  It would provide childcare that would be free monetarily speaking, but that the mothers would work in.  The mother would get hours for putting in hours.  This would allow the mother time to go to work or school and have adequate affordable child care.  The child care center would be run by qualified child developmental specialists and would emphasize not only on being a day care, but would aid in the development of the child.  Included, mothers or rather parent would need to participate in classes on child development either concurrently or before they themselves would start to work in the child care area.  Classes would be offered at this center for mothers who need to obtain their GED, as well as job training classes.

Ideally the center would be located in or near an area that is easily accessible by public transportation, as well as other resource centers that would be of benefit for young parents.

Evaluation of the Intervention

While agencies sounded interested in the idea of the center no one wanted to necessarily be part of the planning process.  Even the agency I was placed in indicated they would love to be part of such a program, only after it was established.  They wanted to be sure all liability was taken care of before they were involved and didn’t want to start a project that they felt had so much liability.

Due to lack of support and the inability to find an agency willing to sponsor the project, the center remains an unmet need.  However looking at what was accomplished in the time frame that was allotted it is clear that the center would most likely not have been able to open and be up and running even if it had substantial support. 

Reflections on the Project

The purpose of this community project is to help teen mothers come into contact with resources that are available to them.  However it would not only serve as a resource center, it would also serve as a childcare center and networking agency for the girls. While a low cost/ no cost daycare will be the main attraction; the hope is that the center would also provide the girls with opportunity to network not only with other agencies, but also with other girls.  One of the main criteria’s of the childcare center would be mothers would have to put hours in, in order to gain hours at the facility.  They would not be able to start working in the center without classes where they would learn appropriate child-rearing skills.  The hope is that by helping others they will help themselves and get the appropriate skills needed to help them become good parents.

While I still believe this is a great idea and something that would be of benefit, its something that will be difficult to start with out the support of many.  Until people change their views of teen moms and liability issues are resolved, there will never be enough support for the teens.  There are so many good programs out there, but many of them cannot be accessed by teens.  Age should not be a barrier for someone who needs help and yet it is.  The best way for a program like this to get started would be if it was funded through the government, and it may be that if it was open to young mothers and not just teen moms, it would be easier to find the funding.

References

Coley, R., & Chase-Lansdale, P.  (1998). Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood.  American Psychologist, 53(2), 152-166).

Leitch, M. (1998). Contextual issues in teen pregnancy and parenting: refining our scope of  inquiry.  Family Relations.  47(2), 145-148.

Rollins, J., Saris, R., & Johnston-Robledo, I.  (2001).  Low-income women speak out about housing: a high-stakes game of musical chairs.  Journal of Social Issues, 57(2), 277-298.

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