New Directions for Teen Parents program offers a variety of educational opportunities for young parents to help them learn life skills needed to be a parent and develop sustainable careers. The educational opportunities include counseling, classes and case management to improve parenting skills and keep teen parents in school. The program aims higher than just keeping the babies safe and mothers in school, the goal is to break the cycle of poverty.
Organized in collaboration with local school districts, New Directions boasts a high school graduation rate of 90 percent and transitions young parents from high school to college, vocational school or employment.
Classes cover such topics as child growth and development, nutrition and shopping, budgeting, self-care, healthy relationships and career planning. The children of teen parents in New Directions are enrolled in childcare or preschool while the mother, or father, completes high school or a GED.
Transportation is provided for teen mothers – to and from their home or shelter, to St. Benedict’s Early Education Center to drop off their children, and then to and from their middle school or high school. The young mothers receive weekly classes on topics such as parenting, budgeting, goal setting and nutrition.
Service Area:
High Schools in Topeka and Wyandotte County.
