Challenges, Lessons Learned and Next Steps of Implementing an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Project

This presentation will present findings from the Next Generation program, a collaborative community-based program that works with predominately Latina/o adolescents who are pregnant and/or parenting. The project documents service utilization and health outcomes for 56 adolescent parenting families that engage in a federal health promotion, pregnancy prevention research project. Families enrolled in the program work with case managers during home visits to set and achieve both personal short and long term goals.

Data collection includes assessment of basic needs, (e.g., social and legal services), and issues that promote or prevent access to services. Follow-up assessments provide narrative themes to experiences while adolescent parents access basic health services and negotiate social and legal systems. Major findings present adolescents' ability to obtain salient needs and personal goals. Specific focus is centered on families who are undocumented, underage, and homeless. Challenges presented include balancing health needs while grappling social and parenting stressors, and attempting to secure a stable housing and income.

Discussion on lessons learned will inform policymakers, health professionals, and social service providers how to efficaciously provide culturally relevant and appropriate services to a high risk, vulnerable parenting adolescent in a predominately Latina/o community in the Pacific Northwest. Next steps of the project will be explored.