The Teen Parent Program (TPP) is a voluntary program provided by The School District of Palm Beach County. Students who are pregnant, as well as teen mothers and fathers, are supported in becoming responsible parents and completing requirements for graduation while participating in TPP. While in the program, students receive support services such as child care, health care, social services, parenting education, and transportation. Teen Parent Programs are offered through High School Programs, Educational Alternative Programs and some Charter School Programs.
All participants in TPP must take at least one Parenting Skills course while continuing to earn credits toward a standard or special diploma. Florida Virtual High School also offers the course. Students who have completed the parenting course continue to receive support services while enrolled in school continuing toward high school graduation. During the 2013-2014 school year, the Teen Parent Program served a total of 347 students in the District – one elementary school student, 13 middle school students and 333 high school students.
The Teen Parent Program provides child care services to teen parents while they complete their high school diploma program. In the 2013-2014 school year child care services were provided at licensed early childhood care centers and
licensed family child care homes for 217
children of teen parents. The School District
of Palm Beach County and the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County worked together to assist students who need child care for their young children.
In May of 2014 the District participated in the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy for the 6th year. In the 2013-2014 school year 4,140 students went to the PBCTeens.org website and took the quiz. The purpose of the campaign is to bring attention to preventing teen pregnancy and the myth that “It can't happen to you.”
In the 2013-2014 school year, the Boynton Beach Community High School’s Women of Tomorrow mentees played key roles in championing and spreading the message of teen pregnancy prevention over the course of the month of May. The Women of Tomorrow accepted Proclamations from the Board of County Commissioners and the School Board of Palm Beach County. They also addressed the Children’s Services Council Board during the month of May. Mentees presented Teen Health and Game Day at Boynton Beach Community High School and encouraged their peers to take the quiz and educate themselves when it comes to personal responsibility.
The Board of Palm Beach County Commissioners, presented a Proclamation at its May 6, 2014 meeting giving support to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
Representatives from the Women of Tomorrow mentees Sabrina Guillaume, Jessica Hall, and Tatiana Moise accepted the Proclamantion from Commissioner Hal Valeche, and spoke to the board. The Boynton Beach Community High School students were accompanied by Nikki Martin and Marsha Guthrie, their mentors from Children’s Services Council and Amy Crease, School District of Palm Beach County, Student Intervention Services.
Over the last four years, the teen birth rate for 15-19 year old births per 1,000 females in Palm Beach County has steadily declined. In 2009, the birthrate was 30.1 and in 2013, it dramatically dropped to 18.0, representing a 40.2% decrease.