Projects

Evaluating Selected Programs for Expectant and Parenting Youth (PEPY)

2014-2019

Project Overview

Objective

To better understand and assess the effectiveness of services for pregnant and parenting youth, Mathematica is building rigorous evidence about how programs can delay subsequent pregnancies, improve contraception use, and encourage and promote expectant and parenting females to remain in school and, ultimately, graduate.

Project Motivation

Until recently, federal programs have not explicitly focused on a clear programmatic gap—improving outcomes of highly vulnerable teen parents. The Office of Population Affairs (OPA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has invested tremendous resources in building the evidence base around improving outcomes for expecting and parenting teens. 

Prepared For

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs

Expectant and parenting teens and young adults can face immense challenges, including interruptions in their education; difficulties finding work or staying gainfully employed; and coping with subsequent pregnancy, health, and relationship problems.

The Office of Population Affairs (OPA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has invested tremendous resources in building the evidence base around improving outcomes for expecting and parenting teens. Mathematica rigorously tested the effectiveness of three programs designed to delay subsequent pregnancies, improve contraception use, and encourage and promote expectant and parenting females to remain in school and, ultimately, graduate. From this project and others, OPA is building the evidence and sharing lessons learned through a series of 20 articles now available in a special supplement of the Maternal and Child Health Journal with corresponding interviews discussing the impact of the journal supplement.

Read more about Mathematica’s expertise in examining, evaluating, and improving programs targeting young parents who are at risk for poor educational, employment, and health outcomes.

Project Impact

Pregnancy Assistance Fund

The Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) provides grants to organizations that will assist pregnant and parenting youth to improve educational, health, and employment outcomes. 

Related Staff

Jessica Harding

Jessica Harding

Senior Researcher

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Susan Zief

Susan Zief

Principal Researcher

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Subuhi Asheer

Subuhi Asheer

Senior Researcher

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John Deke

John Deke

Senior Fellow

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Ann  Person

Ann Person

Principal Researcher

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Julie W. Hartnack

Julie W. Hartnack

Researcher

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