Children & Youth
Empowering Teen Parents
Parent Linking Program and Parent Infant Care Center
Children & Youth Initiatives
Our High School based programs help build bridges to graduation and success for pregnant and parenting students.
Parent Linking Program
The goal of our New Brunswick Bridge or Parent Linking Program (PLP) is to enable student parents to graduate High School. We also encourage them to delay second pregnancies until after graduation. PLP engages pregnant and parenting students in New Brunswick High School in a variety of ways. We provide:
- Individual counseling
- Intensive case management
- Parenting education courses
- Parent-child interaction groups
- Life skills training
Parent Infant Care Center (PIC-C)
It is our belief that to be successful, children need to a continuum of care throughout their youth. There are numerous studies that show the devastating effect teen pregnancy has, not only on the teen and the family related to the pregnancy, but on the larger community as well. Unsupported, teen parents are less likely to succeed in life.
The Parent Infant Care Center (PIC-C) is a free day care facility, located on site in New Brunswick High School. Here, children are cared for in a secure, loving environment, while student parents focus on their studies in an effort to graduate high school. Student parents who are enrolled in PIC-C are mandated to participate in many activities that enhance their parenting skills, take care of the center their child uses, attend group counseling, maintain good grades and remain in school. The PIC-C serves up to 22 parents and toddlers.
OUR IMPACT
For 2016 – 2018
children & youth were enrolled
community service hours were served by campers
community service hours were served by campers
daily attendance rate; compared to 65% nationally for similar camps
of the campers were female; more than double the national average for co-ed soccer programs
high school students were provided a paid position as junior counselors
of attendees never played soccer before
of all campers said they want to continue to play soccer
For September 2017 – June 2018
different students reached
students received group counseling in topics such as mindful awareness and empowerment
students received mental health counseling
students attended various LGBTQ and educational events and clothing/food/toy drives
students completed the instructional portion of the Youth Intervention Program
students attended Soccer Camp
For 2016 – 2018
children & youth were enrolled
community service hours were served by campers
community service hours were served by campers
daily attendance rate; compared to 65% nationally for similar camps
of the campers were female; more than double the national average for co-ed soccer programs
high school students were provided a paid position as junior counselors
of attendees never played soccer before
of all campers said they want to continue to play soccer
of student parents have remained in school
of student parents graduated from high school
delayed having a second child until after graduation
KEY ISSUES
- More than 50% of teen parents drop out of high school.
- Teenage mothers are at greater risk of socioeconomic disadvantage throughout their lives than those who delay childbearing until their twenties.
- Teens who become pregnant are less likely to attend college.
- Less than 2% of teen moms earn a degree by age 30.
- Approximately 25% of teen moms have a second baby within 24 months
PROGRAM Partners
PLP is a partnership between the NJ Department of Children and Families, New Brunswick Board of Education, PRAB and New Brunswick Tomorrow.
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