Parents & Community Connected 

According the CDC, in the United States, 249,078 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years in 2014.  According to Women’s Health,  pregnant teens, especially when they don’t have the support of their families, often do not receive adequate prenatal care and are more likely to be poorly compliant with medical recommendations. In addition, children born to teen mothers are more likely to experience developmental delays and behavioral problems.

The Parents and Community Connected (PACC) program was developed to provide expecting mothers and teen mothers, between 11 and 21 years of age, and their babies, with access to community referrals and resources, access to mental health supports while serving as advocate for systemic changes. Mental health services are needed at the core of the program as statistics show.

 

PACC’s overall program approach to program activities and interventions include the following:

According Healthline data, the researchers found that girls ranging from 15 to 19 experienced postpartum depression at a rate that was twice as high as women aged 25 and older. Another study reported that teen mothers face significant levels of stress that can then lead to increased mental health concerns.

PACC provides clients with the necessary tools to become self-sufficient and strengthen mental health and wellbeing. The program has enrolled and assisted more than 52 mothers between ages of11-21, who lacked access to needs, programs and services, the program strives to meet by providing:

• Assessment

• Case Management

• Behavioral Health/Counseling

• Life Skills Classes

• Educational Support

• Direct Assistance

• Support Systems