Community partnership designed to delay a second pregnancy among very young adolescent mothers

Since 1994, the Illinois Subsequent Pregnancy Program (SPP) has helped more than 4,000 first-time adolescent mothers from 50 communities in Illinois 1) delay a second pregnancy and 2) remain in or graduate from high school. This program grew directly out of research on teenage AFDC mothers in Chicago, which suggested the rapid birth of a second baby while still a teenager often means school drop-out and welfare dependency. In partnership with the state of Illinois, the Subsequent Pregnancy Program model was developed working directly with SPP Home Visitors from seven community agencies. One of the most effective home visiting programs in the country, SPP provides 1) a personal relationship with a Subsequent Pregnancy Home Visitor and 2) intense training through participation in an Advisory Group. Among 4,500 young mothers who have participated, 98% delayed a second pregnancy while in SPP and 93% of those eligible to graduate receive their high school diploma each year. Young mothers who join SPP had their baby before the age of 18; 51% were themselves the daughters of teen mothers; and almost all are growing up in poverty. Outcomes among SPP participants (African American, Caucasian, and Mexican) demonstrate that investment in these very young mothers can change their life course. High school graduation rates among adolescent mothers in SPP are twice the national average for pregnant and parenting teens. By helping these young mothers delay a second pregnancy and complete their high school education, we are breaking the intergenerational cycle of early childbearing and poverty.