Key Program Components
After acceptance into the program, teens are each assigned
to public health nurses employed by SCCHD. Targeted
interventions are developed for teen clients based on structured
assessments conducted by the public health nurses. These
interventions focus on promoting the health of mother and
child. Home visits are enhanced by the addition of educational
modules (developed by the program’s public health nurses)
on topics such as fire safety, vitamin use, dental hygiene, and
nutrition. During times of great program demand, for instance
at the start of a new school year, referrals to the program are
prioritized by age (with younger teens taken into the program
first) and risk factors, including a history of domestic violence
and lack of school attendance. Because most of the teen
parents remain in the program for 12-15 months, some even
staying for up to five years, the program has been able to
provide pregnant and parenting teens with caring, healthy,
and substantial relationships with adults. SCCHD believes these
relationships are essential in improving life outcomes for teens
and their children.
SCCHD staff members working on the project have learned the
importance of building quality measures into the program and