TEEN PARENT CONNECTION

The overall goals of Teen Parent Connection are to 1) decrease the teen pregnancy rate in DuPage County by educating youth about the risks and responsibilities of teen pregnancy and parenthood; 2) promote the healthy growth and development of children born to teens, including the prevention of child abuse and neglect; and 3) empower adolescent parents to achieve self-sufficiency by providing the support, education, and resources they need to realize their goals.

Becoming a parent for the first time is a daunting experience for even the most prepared adult. For the adolescent parent, the stress can feel insurmountable. Young parents face staggering challenges: high-risk pregnancy, inadequate education, poverty, isolation, depression, and a shortage of key life skills and other resources needed to raise children in a stable, healthy environment. As a result, the children of teens are at high risk for premature birth, serious health complications, child abuse and neglect, poverty, school failure, and incarceration -- many will even repeat the cycle of teen parenthood.

As the only nonprofit organization in DuPage County exclusively focused on teen pregnancy and parenting, we ensure that no young family has to face these challenges alone. Our Adolescent Family Strengthening programs - including doula, home visiting, and group support services - offer young parents (ages 12-22) a comprehensive continuum of support, education, and resources from pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten. These programs are carefully designed to positively impact parent knowledge and behavior, decrease stress, improve family functioning, and increase access to resources. Over time, Adolescent Family Strengthening participants experience remarkably improved health and education outcomes compared to national averages. Each year, Teen Parent Connection serves more than 500 young parents and their children.

With unparalleled commitment to the young families in our service area, Teen Parent Connection is uniquely positioned to deliver an impactful message on teen pregnancy prevention to middle school and high school students. In presentations to thousands of students each year, a trained health educator explains the risks associated with teen pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Following this presentation, a peer educator -- a teen parent and program participant -- shares a personal story focused on the realities of parenting at a young age. Peer educators are able to speak from firsthand experience to other teens about the importance of delaying pregnancy until they are financially and emotionally ready to face the consequences.

Since our founding in 1985, Teen Parent Connection has remained the only nonprofit organization in DuPage County exclusively focused on teenage pregnancy, parenthood, and teen pregnancy prevention. Our professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate staff provide education, motivation, and support to young mothers and fathers and connect them to the resources they need to effectively navigate both their own adolescence and early parenthood.

As a respected member of the human services community for more than three decades, Teen Parent Connection is committed to strengthening existing partnerships with state and local government agencies, corporations, foundations, community groups, and individual donors. We also focus our efforts on identifying and cultivating new partners, laying the foundation for sustainable expansion and enhancement of services to young families as their needs grow and change over time.

In FY 2020 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020), Teen Parent Connection achieved the following outcomes related to the previously stated objectives:
• Fewer than 1% of participant children were victims of child abuse/neglect.
• 97% of Doula participants had full-term births, thereby lowering the rate of cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, learning problems, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing problems in their children.
• 91% of babies born to Doula participants were born at a healthy birth weight.
• 100% of participants who had a Doula present at their birth initiated breastfeeding.
• 100% of fathers attending Childbirth Education reported an increase in understanding of the importance and impact of their roles and responsibilities throughout their child and co-parent’s lives.
• 97% of all participants have identified a primary care provider for themselves and their children, ensuring continuity of medical care.
• 100% of participants reported that they felt more prepared for their doctor visits and were better able to communicate with their healthcare providers.
• 83% of all program participants immunized their child according to the American Academy of Pediatrics' immunization guidelines. 4th quarter (March – June) 2020 immunization rates were impacted due to families delaying preventative care during the COVID-19 crisis.
• 100% of parents who attended a depression education presentation reported an increased knowledge of the symptoms of depression and were able to identify at least one community resource to access treatment.
• 95% of participants who received TPC’s mental health counseling services showed a decrease in symptoms of depression.
• 91% of participants who received TPC’s mental health counseling services reported that they are better able to deal effectively with daily problems.
• 95% of participants aged 18 or older graduated high school, or enrolled in high school or a GED program.