Expectant and Parenting Student Program

While Minnesota’s measures of health, education, social and economic indicators of well-being are among the best in the nation, some communities have inequities that impact expectant and parenting teens, women and fathers, ages 13-24. Minnesota's Expectant and Parenting Student Program aimed to address the health and education outcomes for these families in three communities.

The Minnesota Expectant and Parenting Student Program used an evidence-based, case management approach to asses program participants’ needs and refer them to health and social services. Barriers to educational achievement were also addressed through a network of local providers.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs, Pregnancy Assistance Fund awarded a grant to the Minnesota Department of Health to implement this program. The Pregnancy Assistance Fund was authorized by Sections 10211-10212 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148).

The Office of Adolescent Health prepared a summary describing the Expectant and Parenting Student Program, OAH Pregnancy Assistance Fund Program Successful Strategies (PDF).

The Expectant and Parenting Student Program was based on the success of the Minnesota Student Parent Support Initiative. Additional details about the Student Parent Support Initiative are described in this video, MN Student Parent Support Initiative: Advancing Health and Higher Education for Student Parents.