Meeting the Needs of Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents Through Home Visiting

Pregnant and parenting adolescents face the dual challenge of raising a child while navigating their own path to adulthood.

They often encounter barriers related to childcare, housing, and healthcare that can limit their job and educational opportunities. Some experience judgment and bias at home and in the community. Despite these setbacks, some adolescents view parenthood as a positive life event that bolsters their sense of responsibility and stability.

Many home visiting models support first-time parents or parents with complex needs. The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program identifies women under 21 as a priority service group. More can be done, however, to offer age-appropriate, engaging, and respectful home visiting services for adolescents.

This Innovation Roundup Brief highlights home visiting models, affiliates, and initiatives serving young parents’ needs:

• Teen Parent Connection: A Healthy Families America Affiliate
• Family Spirit
• Nurse-Family Partnership
• Show Me Strong Families: A Parents as Teachers Initiative

It concludes with key service delivery features for consideration by other programs.