Projects
Evaluating Selected Programs for Expectant and Parenting Youth (PEPY)
2014-2019
Project Overview
Objective
To better understand and assess the effectiveness of services for pregnant and parenting youth, Mathematica is building rigorous evidence about how programs can delay subsequent pregnancies, improve contraception use, and encourage and promote expectant and parenting females to remain in school and, ultimately, graduate.
Project Motivation
Until recently, federal programs have not explicitly focused on a clear programmatic gap—improving outcomes of highly vulnerable teen parents. The Office of Population Affairs (OPA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has invested tremendous resources in building the evidence base around improving outcomes for expecting and parenting teens.
Prepared For
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs
Expectant and parenting teens and young adults can face immense challenges, including interruptions in their education; difficulties finding work or staying gainfully employed; and coping with subsequent pregnancy, health, and relationship problems.
The Office of Population Affairs (OPA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has invested tremendous resources in building the evidence base around improving outcomes for expecting and parenting teens. Mathematica rigorously tested the effectiveness of three programs designed to delay subsequent pregnancies, improve contraception use, and encourage and promote expectant and parenting females to remain in school and, ultimately, graduate. From this project and others, OPA is building the evidence and sharing lessons learned through a series of 20 articles now available in a special supplement of the Maternal and Child Health Journal with corresponding interviews discussing the impact of the journal supplement.
Read more about Mathematica’s expertise in examining, evaluating, and improving programs targeting young parents who are at risk for poor educational, employment, and health outcomes.
Project Impact
Pregnancy Assistance Fund
The Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) provides grants to organizations that will assist pregnant and parenting youth to improve educational, health, and employment outcomes.
Evidence & Insights From This Project
Publication
Supporting Expectant and Parenting Teens: New Evidence to Inform Future Programming and Research
This article introduces the Maternal and Child Health Journal supplement “Supporting Expectant and Parenting Teens: The Pregnancy Assistance Fund,” which draws together the perspectives of researchers and practitioners to provide insights into serving expectant and parenting teens through the PAF program.
Learn More
Publication
NM GRADS: Lessons Learned from Implementing a School-Based Program for Young Parents Across New Mexico
Publication
Implementing Case Management with Positive Youth Development to Empower Young Mothers in California
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