Ethical Considerations in Health Service Delivery with Undocumented Underage Parenting Adolescents

This presentation explores ethical considerations of case management and service delivery to underage parenting adolescents who are members of immigrant communities. Data is obtained from the Adolescent Family Life Pregnancy Prevention Federal Research Project, Next Generation program. Fifty six adolescent pregnant and/or parenting adolescent Latinas (ages 13-18 years old) are part of a comprehensive home visiting and case management program. Home visitors provide a wide range of family support and advocacy services, including medical, mental health services, education and employment services, and community resources for basic needs. The program emphasizes healthy child development, and promotes progress toward economic independence for young families. Out of 56 families, 45 are members of families who are undocumented or “mixed” families where some family members have eligible immigration status and some do not. A descriptive analysis is done of the ecological and environmental social systems that interact with parenting families with members who are undocumented.

Discussion around services available, immediate state assistance, TANF, and cultural considerations will be addressed. Furthermore, we discuss specific challenges, with access to health and social services and how they possibly perpetuate disparities in health outcomes.