Improving the Self-Sufficiency of Teen Parents. TASPP Brief

This document identifies the costs of teen pregnancy in terms of high dropout rates, long-term educational decrements, the increased risks of the children of teen parents, loss of human capital, and increased welfare costs. Prevention and intervention and the features of operationally successful program models are included under the topic of enhancing the employability of teen parents. Components of operationally successful programs were identified as comprehensiveness, support services, warm program atmosphere, structured peer support groups, individualization, flexible program scheduling, long-term follow-up services, staffing, holistic approach, case management, and funding diversification. Program deficiences and gaps in service provision are identified as problems with current programs for teen parents. The concluding recommendation is that high quality vocational programming must be included as part of a comprehensive programming effort for teen parents. A 16-item reference list is included. (CML)