The purpose of the project is to develop an intervention program using information technology as a means of providing education and information about pregnancy and parenting, social and emotional support, and marketable skills to teenage mothers. The project aims to support and empower the mothers, reduce the risk of abuse or neglect, and provide the babies with a healthy start. A primary objective is to develop and evaluate a model that uses computers to provide comprehensive support to young mothers in conjunction with a program offering home visits. The evaluation of the project will yield important information regarding the conditions and types of support/training needed to ensure the successful application of computers and information technologies to the field of social work and the provision of on-line support to at-risk populations.

Project Overview

This innovative three-year intervention project will use computer technology as a tool for supporting pregnant teenagers throughout the prenatal period and the first 18 months of their babies’ lives. The project will encompass the following: - Peer support. - Formal social and emotional support. - Computer training. - Education. - Empowerment. - Research and Evaluation.