Children & Youth

Empowering Teen Parents

Parent Linking Program and Parent Infant Care Center

Our High School based programs help build bridges to graduation and success for pregnant and parenting students.

Parent Linking Program

The goal of our New Brunswick Bridge or Parent Linking Program (PLP) is to enable student parents to graduate High School. We also encourage them to delay second pregnancies until after graduation. PLP engages pregnant and parenting students in New Brunswick High School in a variety of ways. We provide:

  • Individual counseling   
  • Intensive case management 
  • Parenting education courses
  • Parent-child interaction groups
  • Life skills training

Parent Infant Care Center (PIC-C)

It is our belief that to be successful, children need to a continuum of care throughout their youth. There are numerous studies that show the devastating effect teen pregnancy has, not only on the teen and the family related to the pregnancy, but on the larger community as well. Unsupported, teen parents are less likely to succeed in life.

The Parent Infant Care Center (PIC-C) is a free day care facility, located on site in New Brunswick High School. Here, children are cared for in a secure, loving environment, while student parents focus on their studies in an effort to graduate high school. Student parents who are enrolled in PIC-C are mandated to participate in many activities that enhance their parenting skills, take care of the center their child uses, attend group counseling, maintain good grades and remain in school. The PIC-C serves up to 22 parents and toddlers.

OUR IMPACT

For 2016 – 2018

442

children & youth were enrolled

25+

community service hours were served by campers

91%

community service hours were served by campers

74%

daily attendance rate; compared to 65% nationally for similar camps

35%

of the campers were female; more than double the national average for co-ed soccer programs

50+

high school students were provided a paid position as junior counselors

20%

of attendees never played soccer before

92%

of all campers said they want to continue to play soccer

For September 2017 – June 2018

459

different students reached

281

students received group counseling in topics such as mindful awareness and empowerment

265

students received mental health counseling

1876

students attended various LGBTQ and educational events and clothing/food/toy drives

6

students completed the instructional portion of the Youth Intervention Program

220

students attended Soccer Camp

For 2016 – 2018

442

children & youth were enrolled

25+

community service hours were served by campers

91%

community service hours were served by campers

74%

daily attendance rate; compared to 65% nationally for similar camps

35%

of the campers were female; more than double the national average for co-ed soccer programs

50+

high school students were provided a paid position as junior counselors

20%

of attendees never played soccer before

92%

of all campers said they want to continue to play soccer

100%

of student parents have remained in school

86%

of student parents graduated from high school

98%

delayed having a second child until after graduation

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Young girls doing kicking drills

Young boys stretching and warming up

Two youth going for the ball

Working on their footwork and agility

A young boy practices scoring a goal

Passing the ball to a teammate

A young girl throws the ball in to start a play

Captain Mike Bobadilla with a camp attendee

Camp attendees and counselors

More camp attendees with their trainers and counselors

Focused on her work

Learning to make a penalty kick

All of the camp's attendees, counselors and trainers

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

Camp attendees preparing for soccer skills camp

KEY ISSUES

  • More than 50% of teen parents drop out of high school.
  • Teenage mothers are at greater risk of socioeconomic disadvantage throughout their lives than those who delay childbearing until their twenties.
  • Teens who become pregnant are less likely to attend college. 
  • Less than 2% of teen moms earn a degree by age 30.
  • Approximately 25% of teen moms have a second baby within 24 months

PROGRAM Partners

PLP is a partnership between the NJ Department of Children and Families, New Brunswick Board of Education, PRAB and New Brunswick Tomorrow.