The State of Kentucky approved $220,000 for a new Boys' Haven program, Moms Mentoring Moms. Boys' Haven will recruit, screen, and train mentors who are mothers themselves and will provide weekly support services on an individual basis for young women who are pregnant or have a young child/children, and who are in or have aged out of foster care. Due to programs similar to this, teen pregnancy rates have declined, however, teen pregnancy remains a major problem. Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school (only one-third receives a high school diploma) and only 1.5% have a college degree by age 30. Also, teen mothers are more likely to end up on welfare.
To assist pregnant and parenting teens in our community, Boys' Haven is adapting a mentoring program that was piloted and field tested by Missouri University and has been implemented in numerous communities nationally. At least fifty teens will be matched with fifty trained volunteer mentors. This relationship dedicates a specific amount of time each week providing information, support and friendship until the teen's baby is at least one year old. Teens and mentors attend parenting classes, access community services, prepare for childbirth, participate in recreational services, and attend periodic group meeting for participants.
Moms Mentoring Moms will be an expansion of our mentoring program that was started in August 2004 through federal funding provided by the Chafee Independence Act of 1999. This Mentoring Program is part of Boys' Haven's Independent Living Program which supports homeless youth and state committed foster youth through scattered site apartments, intensive case management, and a wide varitey of community resources focusing on health, education, and job training. Young mothers are at a greater risk of failure and often come from a history of abuse. Boys' Haven is committed to help these women and, therefore, focusing on helping them through Moms Mentoring Moms.
We would like to thank the Jefferson County delegation, members of the House and Senate of the General Assembly, and the Governor for including funding for Moms Mentoring Moms in the state budget. Specifically, Representative Tom Burch, Representative Scott Brinkman, and Representative Larry Clark who worked diligently to ensure Moms Mentoring Moms was funded.
