The Need

TEEN PREGNANCY IN CALIFORNIA
In California, there are almost 25,000 teen births a year. While the teen birth rates have decreased over the past 15 years, there are areas of California where significant disparities exist. The communities we serve in the Bay Area, Central Coast and Central Valley have some of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the state and the nation.
EFFECTS OF TEEN PREGNANCY
Teen pregnancy and parenthood are closely associated with a host of social and economic issues that affect teen parents, their children, and society.
  • The number one reason girls drop out of high school is pregnancy
  • 18% of teen mothers have a second child as a teen, which can further hurt their ability to finish high school
  • Teenage mothers are more likely to live in poverty, depend on public assistance and be in poor health
  • Children born to teen mothers are more likely to suffer health and cognitive disadvantages, come in contact with the child welfare and correctional systems, live in poverty, drop out of high school and become teen parents themselves
Only 38% of teen mothers ever finish high school and less than 2% finish college by age 30.
IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION FOR TEEN MOTHERS
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Research shows teen mothers who are able to remain connected to their high schools have fewer subsequent births during adolescence, better long-term economic outcomes for their families, and better behavioral, social, and academic development of their children. Teen Success, Inc. helps its members stay engaged in school, graduate, and pursue post-secondary education.

Education is one of Teen Success, Inc.’s highest priorities for teen moms because the more education a mother receives, the better her children’s educational outcomes.
Source: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. “Why It Matters: Teen Pregnancy and Education,” March 2010. www.thenationalcampaign.org/why-it-matters/pdf/education.pdf

Education Level                                        Median Annual Income 
High School Dropout                                  $23,900
High School Graduate                                $30,000
Associates Degree                                     $37,500
Bachelors Degree                                      $48,500
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (2013) https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=77
COSTS OF TEENAGE MOTHERHOOD
The cost to taxpayers over the lifetime of one disconnected youth is $215,580 (The Economic Value of Opportunity Youth, Belfield, et. al., January 2012). The cost to taxpayers associated with a child born to a teen mother is $1,682 each year of the child’s life from birth through age 15 (National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 2010). This equates to a minimum cost of close to $250,000 and doesn’t take into account the additional costs of a child of a teen parent who also drops out of school.
 
Every dollar invested in a Teen Success, Inc. member and her child saves taxpayers $22 dollars. ​Learn more about our impact.
IMPROVING LIVES FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
Teen moms and their children are at higher risk of negative outcomes than the average American family, therefore, investing in this population can have a greater impact on reducing societal challenges and make a profound difference for both the families of teen mothers and society at large.
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Using a two generation approach, Teen Success, Inc. empowers teen mothers to rise above their challenges and achieve their full potential in school and as parents. Our program for teen mothers combines educational support, life skills development, social emotional learning, parenting skills development, reproductive health education, and a focus on early literacy for their children. With this program, Teen Success, Inc. is creating a pathway out of poverty for two generations. Learn more about the Teen Success, Inc. Program.