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This report evaluates the Young Mothers' Educational Development Program sponsored by the State University of New York, for pregnant girls between the ages of 16 and 21. The program provided needed services in the areas of obstetrics, pediatrics, education, social work, nursing, and psychology. The girls were Black, Caucasian, and Indian. Internalized values and preconceptions of staff members, reflecting a white, middle class orientation, became apparent during the course of the program. The report focuses on the inadequacies of initial approaches and assumptions and makes suggestions for improvements. (KG)

BECAUSE OF THE MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS WHICH TEENAGE PREGNANCIES PRESENT TO THE UNWED GIRL, HER CHILD, AND THE COMMUNITY, A COMPREHENSIVE, INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE SYRACUSE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE ONONDAGA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, UPSTATE MEDICAL CENTER AT SYRACUSE. KNOWN AS THE Y-MED PROGRAM (YOUNG MOTHER'S EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT), IT UTILIZED A STAFF OF 23, INCLUDING MEDICAL PERSONNEL, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND TEACHERS. THIS REPORT EXPLORES THE OBSTETRICAL, PEDIATRIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM. THE REPORT ALSO DEALS WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS FACED AT THE PROGRAMS INCEPTION AND SOME OF THE RESULTS APPARENT AFTER TWO YEARS OF FUNCTIONING. THESE SERVICES, COVERING THE PREGNANCY, THE DELIVERY, AND ONE-YEAR POSTPARTUM, WERE OFFERED UNDER ONE ROOF, BUT AVOIDED A CLINIC-TYPE ATMOSPHERE. THE RESULTS OF THE Y-MED PROGRAM INDICATE THAT IT WAS SUCCESSFUL ON MANY LEVELS. NO SERIOUS MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS DEVELOPED, INFANT DEVELOPMENT WAS GOOD, AND THE GIRLS ADJUSTED WELL TO SCHOOL. (CG)

Examines problems and potential solutions concerning adolescent parenthood. (PB)