Maikuru Project: Teen Mom mentoring study - Price: None in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 
This research study is designed to improve teen mothers? life skills and increase their social support networks. The young mother will have her choice of either a female mentor or a mentor couple (male and female married couple) who will accompany her to orientation and 5 weekly group sessions, where they will participate in validated educational modules, group activities, and discussions to develop new life skills. The mentor-mentee matching process will include a personality and career interest compatibility match. The group sessions are very interactive and will encourage the young mothers to take action steps towards their goals, with the assistance of committed mentor(s) and research staff. After these group sessions, the participants will be required to attend follow up sessions every 3 months over a period of 2 years.  We believe that the combination of new life skills and an expanded social network of other young mothers and mentors in diverse careers will help the young mother navigate the challenges in her life, make significant progress towards her life goals, and make the decisions that will lead to postponement of another pregnancy until she is ready; preferably, after her teen years.
 
The mentors must be at least 15 years older than the young mother and must have Act 33/34 clearance (we will pay the application fee). The young mothers must be 19 years old or younger when they sign up, have only one child and agree to be partnered with a mentor (or mentor couple).
v  Participants will be required to fill out surveys
v  Bus tickets/parking reimbursement, childcare (for teen moms), and meals will be provided at each meeting
v  Participants can receive up to $250 in compensation for participating
           Mentors will receive intensive training/coaching sessions