Mary Black Foundation presented data demonstrating the efforts of seven case managers across Spartanburg County, South Carolina after July 31, 2017 marked the end of a three-year federal grant through the Office of Adolescent Health’s Pregnancy Assistance Fund.
Funding received in 2014 allowed for the expansion of the highly successful Adolescent Family Life Program (AFL) across all seven Spartanburg County School Districts. Started nearly 20 years ago in Spartanburg School District 5 through Middle Tyger Community Center, AFL was developed as a drop-out prevention program targeting young mothers currently enrolled in school. This program sought to help support youth experiencing unexpected pregnancy to remain in school and achieve their educational attainment goals. The success of this program in District 5, and later District 2, in supporting young mothers was the catalyst for expansion across all seven school districts.
The efforts of the seven case managers—and the coordination and oversight from Middle Tyger Community —has led to a shift in three major indicators of future success: 1) educational attainment (to include matriculation into institutions of higher education), 2) decreased repeat pregnancy rates, and 3) positive birth outcomes.
View the impact of this work in the community from 2014-2017. Additional federal support has been secured through the end of the 2017-18 school year to continue support to young parents in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
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