Young Women Without Limits PregnantOAKLYN Teen Residential Home NEW JERSEY Young Women Without Limits Mission Statement: BUILDING NEW LIVES FOR PREGNANT TEENS Goals and Objectives: · Breaking the cycle of physical and mental abuse through pre-birth parenting classes and observing the new mother’s skills and behaviors · Promoting higher self-esteem/self-confidence for mothers & babies · Better bonding between mother and child and healthier relationships · Educating pregnant teens regarding adoption/parenting options · Healthier babies through quality pre-natal and post-natal care · Observe and monitor new mothers for postpartum depression · Helping teens to not give up on life achieve high school and college graduation · Encouraging teen mothers to gain the necessary job skills to successfully attain high-paying and meaningful employment, ??Reduction and elimination of the pregnant woman’s drug and/or alcohol abuse to prevent devastating birth defects · Helping teens to have master life skills training thereby allowing them to live independently · Reduction in the rate of second teen pregnancies Executive Summary YWWL will reserve residences for first time pregnant teens and teens that have recently given birth that are homeless and their children. There is at present a demand for more space to facilitate those pregnant at-risk teens seeking shelter. To make a concerted effort to unite these clients and their families we will network with the Department of Youth and Family Services, the Department of Health & Human Services, the Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and other cooperative agencies. YWWL will provide highly-successful educational, self-esteem and counseling services (life skills classes). We will also hire certified drug and substance abuse counselors and use former residents to facilitate daily NA recovery meetings. Para-professionals and peer counseling play a big role also. Our rehabilitation target is months, not years. Empowerment is a primary key to the success of our program. YWWL will obtain comple te histories and profiles on all residents. We will provide regular o ngoing support groups and very close supervision of our at-risk teens. All of the residents will be required to save 70 percent of all money that comes into their hands. There will be clear and specific rules for conduct, their own as well as their children's. The children attend classes in our own pre-school or attend local elementary schools. Agencies dealing with substance abuse and alcohol abuse treatment and our city's homeless have enthusiastically welcomed our initiative. The State of New Jersey has many shelters for the temporarily adult homeless. For pregnant teen homeless residents, especially those with a substance or alcohol addiction problem which serves to create and exacerbate their homeless condition, more needs to be done. We at YWWL believe our plan meets the needs of that special population. Case Management Upon arrival at YWWL’s facility, every new resident will meet with the case manager who will create background files and establish a signed LIFE IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT with each new resident to attain self-sufficient independent living. The contracts will map out a detailed chronology, enumerating and scheduling classes, appointments, and document reviews as needed. The case manager will also counsel mothers whose children will be going into foster care and will assist in planning, with the mother's assistance and agreement, a plan of action for demonstrating future parental fitness. She meets with each client at least once a week and is available every weekday on the premises should a client encounter a difficulty. Using LIFE IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTS, the residents will reduces their average length of stay, and be more prepared upon departure to lead a more productive life, and raise children better equipped to cope in society. This in turn will make it possible for us to serve more families, more effectively, with limited resources. Independent Living Skills These will be a vital necessity for most residents at the shelter. They will be presented at classes, lectures, or mini-courses and held weekly, bi-weekly or monthly as needed. Teacher will include staff members, personnel from social service agencies and volunteers. Presentations will include: · Parenting skills · Nutrition · Home management 1. a. budgeting 2. b. consumerism 3. c. meal planning 4. d. tenant rights and responsibilities · Drug and Alcohol Addictions 1. a. causes and indications 2. b. how and where to obtain help 3. c. self-esteem building · Computer Skills · GED Preparation · SAT preparation, and community college enrollment Residen ts will be able to enhance their living skills through participation in Job Training Programs, and other career preparation courses sponsored. The women will assist senior citizens at the local Senior Citizens Houses. Assistance includes cooking, cleaning, or visiting with the older residents. The Senior Citizens Houses will be local and transportation will be provided. They will be readied to eventually be relocated into transitional housing in other areas of the state prepared to also have branched out to other homes. Skills will be also taught at a practical level by requiring each resident to undertake certain tasks necessary for the operation of the shelter. Duties range from simple responsibilities such as assuring that the aluminum cans and cardboard will be properly stored for recycling to the demanding role of receptionist in the shelter's front office. Child Programs A weekly parenting class/discussion is conducted. Ongoing, one-on-one infant and child development will be conducted daily. Each woman will be responsible for her child. This will be strictly enforced and observed for the safety of the children and to encourage the women to be good mothers. However, during counseling and other programs selected for the women, they and their children will be involved in structured learning programs, administered by staff , residents in training, and volunteers. After each school day there will be an hour of study time with tutoring by volunteers from local churches, colleges, and universities often ending with time for talk and fun with volunteers. The volunteers will serve as very good role models for the . Early evening there is an hour of supervised play. The Life Enhancement Plus Program YWWL will be linked with our Life Enhancement Plus Program to selectively choose residents having completed our program and will be totally committed to return to the work force. This program assists with initial housing and assurance of a job suited to their skills. This unique LEP+ program will be of the highest quality and will produce extremely good results. Women having already completed the program can be employed later in positions that pay them, and will also allow them to live independently in safe and secure housing. Alumni Association The Alumni Association will be comprised of all past residents who meet as a group twice a month. The Alumni members will assist residents in making a successful transition to independent living. They can stay contact though personal meetings and by telephone. They will be able to help ensure that housing is adequate and well maintained, that educational goals, both for the mother and are pursued, that dietary needs will be met, and that budgets are being be balanced. Alumni can also provide counseling on family management and relationships as well as advice or referrals for other services. They additionally may be equipped to lead AA and NA meetings off site. Staff As an organization serving pregnant teens and teen mothers, we will feel a compelling need to empower women in the operation of the shelter. Our staff will be ethnically diverse, and made up of initially several women either experienced or holding degrees in Sociology, and one experienced. World Health Organization Teen Pregnancy Assessment World Health Organization Assessment There is an urgent need for programs that address the safety, health and social needs of adolescent girls who become pregnant. Pregnant adolescents are vulnerable to serious health risks, social exclusion and loss of opportunities. Negative factors can contribute to poor nutrition and poor health for their babies and to a cycle of deprivation from one generation to the next. Adolescent girls, at the beginnings of adult life, have a special need for protection. A comprehensive response will include a continuum of care, as outlined in the WHO (World Health Organization) Making Pregnancy Safer initiative.1 This strategy for improving maternal and newborn health seeks to build political commitment and partnerships to expand the reach of the health system. It calls for human resources to be developed so that, even in remote areas, women give birth with a skilled attendant present. Adolescent girls and their communities need programs to enable them to learn about and practice self-care, and access to maternal and child health services. In addition, regnant adolescents may need: -financial support for health care and diet -credit / financial planning education -advice and help with breastfeeding -help to return to school or employment training -childcare facility and transportation -shelter and services if excluded from home, -contraceptive advice and supplies -support to stop smoking and or drug abuse prevention resources -counseling over options for adoption, or termination, where legal. There has been little research into programs designed to improve