School helping teen parents

Life Skills Center of Middletown is taking steps to equip students who are teen parents with the skills needed to do well in life.

Administrator Charles Hall said 40 of the school’s 315 students are enrolled in a weekly GRADS program offering help to teen parents.

The alternative education charter school accommodates students ages 16-22 who are experiencing difficulties with the routine of traditional public schools.

Classes for the first-year program started in November. One student graduated in December and three students are expected to graduate in June.

Hall said female participants in the 12-week program are either pregnant or parents, while participating males are already parents.

“I don’t support teen pregnancy, but the reality is we’re going to continue to have teens who are pregnant,” Hall said. “We’re trying to support students who are already in that situation. That’s what Life Skills is about; meeting students needs to help them stay on track with their education. We’re proud of what we do here.”

“This program helps ensure that (the students) graduate,” Life Skills Center president Charles Parsons said. “Our full-year, shorter-day program helps ensure they can find childcare.”

“We want to get students to be responsible for their choices and to do the right thing,” said Tami Augustine, who serves as the Southern Ohio Regional Director of Life Skills Centers. “We give guidance to get their lives on track."

Family advocate Shannon Warren, who leads the Middletown program, says male students play a vital role.

“It is stressed to the fathers that their role starts during pregnancy,” Warren said. “During pregnancy, the fathers to be can be an excellent support for the mother. The fathers can assist the mother with transportation to prenatal appointments and encourage the mother to eat right and exercise.

“When dads’ participate in the class I focus on the following, coping with pregnancy, labor and delivery, legal issues related to parenthood, child support, balancing work, school, and family, baby basics/parenting skills, developing healthy partner relationships, career planning and working parents concerns.”

Hall said issues discussed during the state recognized and accredited program include prenatal care, breast feeding, nursing, nutrition as well as family values.

In addition, the students also learn about self-esteem, developing healthy relationships, leadership, economic impendence, how to manage stress, and work skills.

Warren said students also host a required community service project.

“The kids really look forward to it,” she said. “Some have more support at home than others. This program gives direction for where to go to find help.”