Columbia Heights Educational Campus

Teen Parent and Child Development Center

The Bell Teen Parent and Child Development Center is the District's only school based dropout prevention program that enables expectant & parenting teens to complete their high school education. The Center supports expectant & parenting teens to continue their education beyond high school by providing college preparatory services and teaches skills to become nurturing parents, active citizens and responsible members of their community. The center also offers onsite childcare, nutrition instruction, after school tutoring, classes in parenting skills, child development childbirth education, conflict resolution and life skills, home visits, counseling and case management and education and support groups for young fathers and grandparents. In addition to the aforementioned educational efforts, the Center plays a critical role in reducing the repeat teen pregnancy rate and, perhaps most importantly, ameliorates the negative consequences once a pregnancy has already occurred.

Overarching Goals

• Increased Graduation Rates - the Center works to reduce the drop out rate by connecting students with high quality childcare and teen parent support services at an early stage;

• Second Pregnancy Prevention - the Center requires teen parents to sign a contract in which they agree to forfeit the placement in the Center in the event of a second pregnancy. In addition, the Center educates teen parents and the general population about health and family planning;

• Increased Post-Secondary Success - the Center works closely with the Bell Career Development Office to place teen parents in jobs and internships which match their career aspirations. In doing so, teen parents increase the chance of providing for their children in the long term. They are assisted in planning for college, from completing the application forms to seeking financial aid;

• Maintaining Healthy Parent/Child Relationships - the Center provides numerous services to assist teen parents provide nurturing care for their children through family field trips, parenting classes, literacy related activities and outreach and case management to the fathers.