Expectant, pregnant, and parenting youth in foster care have complex needs and may face challenges when it comes to balancing being a parent, securing housing, managing finances, attending work or school, and learning to be self-sufficient. Child welfare workers and others supporting these young people should avoid making judgements and provide help accessing services and resources as much as possible. Use the resources on this page to learn about State and local programs that caseworkers and others supporting expectant and parenting youth in foster care may find helpful.
Baby and Me: Supporting Teen Parents in Foster Care
Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (2020)
Provides advice for child welfare workers on supporting expectant, pregnant, and parenting youth in foster care as given by young people served by the Teen Parent Connection Program in Atlanta, Georgia.
Breaking the Foster Care Cycle, One Young Family at a Time
Green & Landsverk (2021)
American Bar Association
Explains a model being used in California to help keep families together and break the foster care cycle by providing young parents the resources and support they need to thrive.
Out of Home Services: Expectant Youth and Youth With Children (PDF - 115 KB)
Indiana Department of Child Services (2021)
Outlines policies for serving expectant, pregnant, or parenting youth in out-of-home care in Indiana.
Pregnant and Parenting Youth
Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (2019)
Provides guidance to child welfare workers engaged with expectant or parenting teens to ensure a successful transition to adulthood.
Providing Home Visiting to Parents in Care: The Illinois Pregnant and Parenting Youth in Care Home Visiting Pilot Experience
Children’s Home & Aid
Describes a home visiting program in Illinois that serves pregnant and parenting youth in care and links to a full report on the outcomes of the pilot program.
Services to Youth Who Are in OKDHS Custody and Pregnant
Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) (2021)
Explains services provided to pregnant youth in foster care in Oklahoma including counseling, medical services, parenting assistance, living arrangements, and more.
Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Transitional Age Youth (PDF - 499 KB)
Connecticut Department of Children and Families (2021)
Shares best practices for working with pregnant and parenting transition age youth in Connecticut and describes State and Federal resources available to support this population.
What Is Guaranteed Income?
Mother’s Outreach Network
Explains guaranteed income programs for mothers, which aim to raise a households’ income to improve the overall family well-being. Guaranteed income programs are designed to break the cycle of poverty and are being implemented across the country.