El Nido is the largest provider of teen parent services in California.
Without intervention, teen parents are at higher risk of dropping out of school, becoming welfare dependent and living their lives in poverty than those who delay parenting. Their children are more prone to premature birth, frail health, school failure/dropout, and abuse or neglect than the children of mature parents. The cycle continues as the children of teen mothers are more likely to end up in gangs and/or prison and are more likely to have children as teens themselves. Our programs demonstrate that with intervention the cycle can be broken.
The Cal-Learn and Adolescent Family Life Programs
Through home visits, trained case managers reach out to teen parents who are isolated, overwhelmed and unprepared for the challenges of parenting. They assess the unique needs of each teen parent and baby, and link them with services that help both to thrive, including health care, counseling, educational assistance, vocational training, housing, nutritional and/or income support.
Program outcomes included:
• 96% of clients received prenatal care, well-baby and/or other needed health care services
• 61% of clients were enrolled in school or graduated with a diploma or GED.
• 92% of clients were up to date on immunizations
The repeat birth rate in El Nido clients was 1.4% vs. the National average of 17.5%
Quick Facts:
From 2009-2010 El Nido Family Centers assisted 1426 AFLP pregnant and parenting teens
So far for 2010-2011 El Nido Family Centers has assisted 1163 AFLP pregnant and parenting teens
From 2009-2010 El Nido Family Centers assisted 3156 Cal-Learn pregnant and parenting teens
So far for 2010-2011 El Nido Family Centers has assisted 2912 Cal-Learn pregnant and parenting teens
Best Babies Program
San Fernando Valley Best Babies Collaborative (BBC), funded by First 5 LA, is made up of six agencies working together to reduce poor birth outcomes in communities with a large concentration of high- risk pregnancies. Agencies work together to improve and expand coordinated prenatal and interconception care through intensive in-home case management, social support, health education and counseling. The El Nido Family Centers Best Babies program serves eligible teens living in the northeast San Fernando Valley.
Program outcomes included:
• 83% of collaborative participants initiated breastfeeding post-partum
• 85% of collaborative participants received post-partum health check-ups
Visiting Nurse Program
With the support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, a bilingual Registered Nurse makes home visits to teen mothers who have complicated pregnancies or medically fragile infants. The nurse provides assessments, education and hands-on care to promote children’s optimal health and development. Prenatal care classes and a mothers’ support group led by the nurse gives teens a forum in which they can share with each other while learning about well-baby care, healthy behaviors and pregnancy prevention.
Program outcomes included:
• The percentage of premature birth for El Nido participants was less than 4%, well below the
L.A. County average of over 11%.
• 100% of adolescents enrolled received prenatal care.
Harold Cares About Your Future
Harold Cares About Your Future is a job preparation program that provides teen mothers and fathers between the ages of 15 and 21 with knowledge of the world of work, vocational skills and opportunities. This 13-week program covers topics including; money management, career and goal exploration, resume writing, job interviewing techniques, labor law and job retention, plus basic life skills including boosting self-esteem and pregnancy prevention.
Program outcomes include:
• 84% of program participants felt confident about writing their own resume
• 95% of respondents report feeling confident they can achieve their educational and vocational goals
Quick Facts:
From 2009-2010 El Nido Family Centers assisted 1426 AFLP pregnant and parenting teens
So far for 2010-2011 El Nido Family Centers has assisted 1163 AFLP pregnant and parenting teens
From 2009-2010 El Nido Family Centers assisted 3156 Cal-Learn pregnant and parenting teens
So far for 2010-2011 El Nido Family Centers has assisted 2912 Cal-Learn pregnant and parenting teens