Independent Living Skills (ILS)
Program Description
The Independent Living Skills (ILS) Program is designed for youth 16-21 years of age. The program helps young adults transition from out-of-home placement to independent living. The program consists of weekly group meetings and one-to-one case management.
Group is held on Mondays from 6:00-8:00pm. Dinner and bus tokens are provided. Typical length of involvement in the group is 14 weeks, with the opportunity to receive one-to-one case management for up to one year.
Eligibility
Participants must be 16-21 years old and must have spent time in out-of-home placement (i.e. foster care, group home, shelter or corrections).
Fees
This service is free to participants.
Contact Information
Questions and referrals can be made to our ILS Case Manager at 612.877.7826 phone, or 612.617.0193 fax, or our ILS Life Coach at 612.877.7834 phone, or 612.617.0193 fax. Complete our Agency Referral Form to make a referral.
Program Benefits
Youth learn skills to assist them in making a successful transition to independent living. Individualized life coaching and financial assistance for housing and employment related activities are available. The program’s target areas include job search, job maintenance, money management, communication and housing.
Teen Parenting Program
Program Description
The Teen Parenting Program offers pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-21 the opportunity to increase parenting skills, social skills, and pregnancy prevention as well as awareness of physical, chemical and mental health.
The program consists of 20 weeks of group meetings and case management services followed by 2 months of aftercare. Teaching methods include lecture, group discussion, problem solving, videos, role-playing, art projects, and hands-on activities. It also includes a Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) component designed to:
- Enhance parent-child relationships,
- Improve parenting skills,
- Decrease problematic behaviors observed in the child,
- Reduce risk for child abuse.
Programming occurs on Tuesday evenings. Transportation, dinner and child care in our Child Development Center are provided free of charge.
Eligibility
Participants must be pregnant or parenting mothers or fathers ages 12-21 who have the desire to develop their parenting and independent living skills. A number of the youth have been or are on probation, are living in out-of-home placement or are part of family systems involved with child protection or probation.
Fees
This program is free to participants.
Contact Information
Questions and referrals can be made to our Manager of Adolescent Parenting Services at 612.877.7824 phone, or 612.617.0193 fax. Complete our Agency Referral Form to make a referral.
Program Benefits
Participants will increase parenting and social skills, develop personal goals, increase knowledge of physical, chemical and mental health issues, as well as develop independent living skills. Parents will increase bonding and attachment with their child.
Bright Beginnings Program
Program Description
Bright Beginnings is a one-to-one mentoring program for pregnant and parenting teenage mothers. Teens are matched with caring, supportive adult female mentors for one year or more. Mentors contact the teens weekly by phone and have in-person visits two times per month. Goals for teen moms include participation in all well-baby check-ups, enrollment and attendance in school, and participation in parenting education classes. Mentors assist with these goals and help the teen access community resources.
Once per month the mentors and mentees attend a Chat Group at the agency (which counts as one in-person mentor/mentee visit). Chat Group involves goal setting, arts and crafts, and learning from a community speaker or staff about a life skill or parenting topic chosen by the teen mothers. Dinner and child care in our Child Development Center are provided for free. Mentors typically provide mentees transportation to Chat Group.
Eligibility
Participants must be pregnant or parenting young women ages 13-19 years old. The program is voluntary but a minimum of a year commitment is asked.
Fees
This program is free to participants.
Contact Information
Questions and referrals can be made to our Bright Beginnings/Teen Parenting Lead Case Manager at 612.877.7842 phone, or 612.617.0193 fax. Complete our Agency Referral Form to make a referral.
Program Benefits
Teen moms receive case management support from staff, a caring relationship with a mentor, and peer support and education from monthly group meetings focused on goal-setting, relationship building, and gaining knowledge of community resources. The teens have the opportunity to earn incentives for meeting their goals and have access to free children’s items at the agency.
Volunteer!
To become a Mentor to a teen mom, contact our Bright Beginnings/Teen Parenting Lead Case Manager at 612.877.7842 phone, or 612.617.0193 fax!