1. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference Best Practices for Working with Dependent Teenage Mothers Presented By: Natalie Bilynsky Cherenne Peoples Northern Home for Children

2. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 2 Introductions Description of Generations I and Generations II –Population –Service Description

3. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 3 Learning Objectives Understand the challenges associated with working with dependent teen mothers Understand the need for a holistic approach in programming Understand the benefits of coordinating services Understand the impact that logistical issues can have on services

4. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 4 Challenges Faced By Teen Mothers Adolescence Attachment Trauma Behavioral health challenges Academic challenges Lack of supports / relationships

5. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 5 Adolescence Developmental stages (Erik Erikson) Brief review of the impact of motherhood on the developmental stages

6. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 6 Developmental Stages Infancy - Trust vs. Mistrust Early Childhood – Autonomy vs. Shame Preschool – Initiative vs. Guilt School Age – industry vs. Inferiority Adolescence – Identity vs. Role Confusion Young Adulthood – Intimacy vs. Isolation Middle Adulthood – Generativity vs. Stagnation Maturity – Ego Integrity vs. Despair

7. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 7 Attachment Types of Attachment –Secure –Insecure Anxious ambivalent Anxious avoidant Disorganized Impact on Teenage development Impact on Parenting

8. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 8 Trauma Impact of trauma on adolescent development Impact of trauma on motherhood

9. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 9 Behavioral Health History Diagnostic history Treatment history Family behavioral health history Medication History Receptiveness to services Ability to connect with therapist Therapeutic Relationship

10. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 10 Academic Challenges Stressors Missed school Poor performance

11. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 11 Lack of support Young Mother Family Extended family Religious group Community group Neighborhood School community Other Supports Father Fathers family Young mother

12. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 12 Role play Taking a holistic approach

13. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 13 Best Practices (Center For Assessment And Policy Development) Flexible quality schooling Case management and family support services Prenatal and reproductive health Quality child care Parenting and life skills support Father Involvement

14. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 14 School What are the educational options? Factors to consider in deciding upon options: –History of truancy –Learning Disorder –Academic Level –Age

15. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 15 Case management Leader of the team Characteristics of a Successful Case Manager Characteristics that we have found to be not effective for Case Managers working with teen mothers

16. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 16 Reproductive Health Importance of reproductive health Importance of health services for mother Importance of health services for baby/child

17. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 17 Quality Childcare

18. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 18 Parenting and life skills support Clear assessment of life skills needed System for development of life-skills that is not judgmental Often teens are resistant to parenting and life skills support

19. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 19 Father involvement How? What if the relationship is full of conflict? Or abusive?

20. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 20 Additional elements These are program characteristics that are not noted by the Center for Assessment and Policy Development, that we believe are characteristics of best practice: Including Behavioral health Taking a Holistic approach Being Strength based/Resiliency focused

21. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 21 Behavioral Health Outpatient Therapy –Pre-natal and Post-natal Depression –Connecting with Outpatient Therapist –Group Therapy –Strategies for developing therapeutic rapport

22. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 22 Holistic approach

23. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 23 Strength Based ~ Resiliency Focused All of the world is full of suffering; it is also full of overcoming it. -Helen Keller History, despite its wrenching pain, Cannot be unlived, and if faced with courage, Need not be lived again. -Maya Angelou

24. PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 24 Contact Information Natalie Bilynsky –Northern Home for Children –215-482-1423 ex 1272 –nbilynsky@northernhome.org Cherenne Peoples –Northern Home for Children –215-482-1423 ex 1286 –cpeoples@northernhome.org