MOM Empowerment: To reduce repeat pregnancies among vulnerable young mothers

Risky sexual behavior, lack of knowledge, and undesirable role models at an early age can contribute to spikes in teenage pregnancies, and high rates of high school drop outs, particularly for young women living in low-income housing in San Francisco, CA. Surrounded by dangerous turf lines, reduced access and poor quality health care, limited career development skills, and negative emotional support, young women are exponentially vulnerable to repeat pregnancies and a lack of personal achievement. This program seeks to include innovative collaboration and community building to reduce risky sexual behavior among the most vulnerable. To inform program development, qualitative research methods included a targeted needs and assets assessment through windshield surveys, literature reviews, observations, and interviews based on the health belief model. Data were coded, themed and analyzed using Grounded Theory methods. Results indicated that young women lack familial support, skills to find, apply for, and retain a job, and lack the self-efficacy to succeed beyond the Projects. Program suggestions included a parent-child support group, job skill seminars, and a one-stop resource center for women. A pilot program was then developed and implemented over eight weeks in a safe and local facility with access to free child-care. The evaluation tool uniquely included a cumulative service-learning project empowering the participants to develop an artistic video as an effective tool to educate and break the cycle of teen pregnancies. Results of the pilot program including impact and process evaluation will be discussed with lessons learned in light of program sustainability.