The First Years of a Child's Life Last Forever
According to brain development research, the relationship between parent and child in the baby's first years are of vital importance and set the foundation for the child's emotional and mental health throughout his or her entire life.

Child, Home & Community (CHC) believes these first years are the key to our mission - "Building a better future for the children of teen parents, the most vulnerable parents in our communities."

• "Focus on Motherhood" is a 12-week prenatal program taught by trained instructors for pregnant teens, fathers-to-be, and their families. The program is specifically designed for adolescents to prepare them for the physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. The goal of the program is to ensure prenatal health care and increase the opportunity for healthy pregnancies and births.

• "Building the Family" Teen Parent Support Group is also administered by trained instructors and case managers and is offered on a monthly basis as a continuum for our clients and their children. This program offers personal, professional and peer support. The goal of the program is to teach parenting skills and coordinate access to other community resources. CHC's Creative Career Counselor provides workshops and support to prepare for employment & training for the young parents.

• "School-Based Programs" are individually developed to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting teens while they are still in school. The program provides individual and group education and support during the school day. The goal of the program is not only to help during the time pregnancy but to ensure the teens stay in school and graduate, and to provide job assessment skills and/or placement in continuing education or job training programs. Creative Career Counselor provides workshops and support to prepare for employment & training.

• "Teen Parent Awareness: Fact & Fiction" is a community outreach prevention program to area middle and high schools. This decision making program is offered to non-pregnant teens, giving them an eye-opening view of the reality of pregnancy and parenting and the risks and responsibilities associated with sexual activity. The goal of this program is to dispel and romantic illusions of parenthood and to motivate teens to make decisions to prevent pregnancy.