Supporting the Healthy Development of Parenting Teens and Their Children.

Teen Birth Rates In , 13.5% of teenagers in Chicago gave birth (IDPH, 2002). In , 13.5% of teenagers in Chicago gave birth (IDPH, 2002). Health disparity exists Health disparity exists The national YRBSS states that Black and Hispanic 9-12 graders were more likely to have sex (CDC, 2007). The national YRBSS states that Black and Hispanic 9-12 graders were more likely to have sex (CDC, 2007). 16.3% of Blacks and 8.2% of Hispanics had sexual intercourse before the age of 13 (CDC, 2007). 16.3% of Blacks and 8.2% of Hispanics had sexual intercourse before the age of 13 (CDC, 2007).

Implications

The Cycle Continues… Teen mothers are more likely to live in poverty Teen mothers are more likely to live in poverty (Terry-Humen et al., 2005). 60% of teen mothers drop out of high school (Hoffman, 2006). 60% of teen mothers drop out of high school (Hoffman, 2006). Test scores are lower for children of teenagers and they are 50% more likely to repeat a grade. “T Test scores are lower for children of teenagers and they are 50% more likely to repeat a grade. “Two-thirds of children born to teen mothers earned a high school diploma compared to 81 percent of children of later childbearers” (Terry-Humen et al., 2005). Children of teenage mothers disproportionately exhibit negative social behaviors. These children tended to be more impulsive and overactive. They were also more likely to lack self control and positive interpersonal interactions. Children of teenage mothers disproportionately exhibit negative social behaviors. These children tended to be more impulsive and overactive. They were also more likely to lack self control and positive interpersonal interactions (Terry-Humen et al., 2005).

Existing Programs in CPS That Help Teen Parents Homebound – All Chicago Public School students who are pregnant and parenting are offered teaching services. Homebound – All Chicago Public School students who are pregnant and parenting are offered teaching services. SGA (Outside Provider) – Program that provides pregnant and parenting teens with case management services, pregnancy tests, condoms, child development education, and psycho-educational group sessions. SGA (Outside Provider) – Program that provides pregnant and parenting teens with case management services, pregnancy tests, condoms, child development education, and psycho-educational group sessions. Cradle to Classroom – Provides home visits, help in finding childcare, education on fostering emotional and intellectual development of teen children. Cradle to Classroom – Provides home visits, help in finding childcare, education on fostering emotional and intellectual development of teen children.

Stakeholders Chicago Board of Education Chicago Board of Education Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH) Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH) Parents Parents Students Students Teachers Teachers School Administrators School Administrators CPS Students CPS Students

Policy This policy shall provide case management services to pregnant and parenting teenagers who are receiving homebound teaching services. This policy shall provide case management services to pregnant and parenting teenagers who are receiving homebound teaching services. These case management services will provide needs assessment, skills building, parenting education, and sexual/reproductive health education. These case management services will provide needs assessment, skills building, parenting education, and sexual/reproductive health education. It will also direct pregnant and parenting teenagers to government and community resources such as WIC, Medicaid and babysitting services. It will also direct pregnant and parenting teenagers to government and community resources such as WIC, Medicaid and babysitting services. Cradle to classroom and SGA Youth Services have agreed to donate materials and resources to homebound teachers. Cradle to classroom and SGA Youth Services have agreed to donate materials and resources to homebound teachers.

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Available at: Accessed on January 29, Accessed on January 29 Hoffman, S.D., By the Numbers: The Public Costs of Adolescent Childbearing. 2006, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Washington, DC. Illinois Teen Births by County, Illinois Department of Public Health. Terry-Humen, E., Manlove, J., & Moore, K., Playing catch- up: How the children of teen mothers fare. 2005, National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy: Washington, DC.