Serving Teen Parents

Ellin Klor is youth services and family literacy librarian at the Santa Clara City Library, Santa Clara, CA.Sarah Lapin is senior community program specialist at the San Mateo County Library, San Mateo, CA.

• Series ForewordForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroduction—A Critical Need: Libraries Serving Teen ParentsThe Scope of the IssueThe Human Cost on the ParentThe Human Cost on the ChildEconomic Costs to SocietyWhy Library Services?What This Book OffersConclusionAuthors' NoteReferencesChapter 1—Understanding Teen Parents"What Were You Thinking?" The Teen Brain in Development"It's All about Me!" Adolescent Egocentrism"Who Am I?" The Formation of an Identity"I Want to Decide!" Establishing Independence"Where Are My Friends?" Interacting with PeersTeen Fathers—the Truly Underserved"How Do I Do This?" Meeting the Demands of ParentingConclusionReferencesChapter 2—Teen Parents within a System: Influencing FactorsThe Home EnvironmentFamily DynamicsThe Surrounding NeighborhoodHomelessnessSexual AbuseMental Health ConcernsEducational Experiences and IssuesHurdles at SchoolInformation and ReferralHousingHealthChild SupportChild CareLocal Community ReferralsConclusionReferencesResourcesChapter 3—Communicating with Teen ParentsWorking with Teen ParentsBuilding RelationshipsUtilizing a Strengths-based PerspectiveEffectively Communicating InformationFacilitating a GroupGroup DynamicsRoom Configuration and the GroupConclusionReferencesChapter 4—Program Development of Successful Teen Parent ServicesInstitutional Support and IssuesAddressing ChallengesIdentifying Potential Client Groups and PartnershipsLocal ConnectionsGovernment AgenciesPrivate Nonprofit OrganizationsTransitional Housing AgenciesCommunity Meetings and Coalition BuildingMaking ContactAlternatives for Smaller CommunitiesService and Project PlanningForm a Project TeamAssess the Needs of the Teen Parent GroupDefine the ProjectFormulate a PlanDetermine a Timeline and Budget for the ProjectEvaluationA Shorthand Planning ProcessProgram Frequency, Scheduling, Location, and AttendanceStaffing and Staff TrainingStaff CompetenciesSuggestions for In-house CollaborationsStaff AttitudesFundingFundraising and GrantsGrantsmanship Training and InformationTypes of Grant FundingWriting a Grant ProposalAdvice for Successful Grant SeekingProgram SustainabilityAligning Established Services with Teen Parent NeedsBooktalkingBook Discussion GroupsTeen Parent Volunteers at the LibraryLow-maintenance Teen Parent ServicesCreating Collections for Teen ParentsConclusionReferencesResourcesAppendix: Field-Tested Teen Parent Services and ProgramsEvery Child Ready to Read® (ECRR) with Pregnant/Parenting TeensTeens with TotsYoung Moms ClubFlorence Crittenton Book ClubTeen Parent Baby Lapsit Program at Borrego Springs LibraryProject L.I.F.T. (Literacy Involves Families Together)Teen Parent OutreachYouth Literacy Project (YLP)Appendix: Recommended for Teen Parent CollectionsChapter 5—Parent-Focused Programs: Literacy and Life SkillsProgram Planning TemplateChild CarePreliminary PlanningIcebreakersProgram Session FormatInformational Content PlanningMainstream Teen Program Ideas to ConsiderProgram ExtrasLife SkillsLibrary UseAdult LiteracyInformation LiteracyJob Searching and Continuing EducationFinancial LiteracyHealthParentingUsing Children's Books as Teaching ToolsAdapting an Existing CurriculumGeneral Parenting WorkshopsConclusionReferencesResourcesAppendixReproducible Library Needs SurveySample Library Scavenger HuntReproducible "Discover Careers That Fit You"Reproducible Family Media QuestionnaireChapter 6—The Power of Play: Teen Parents and the LibraryCraftsGuidelines and Tips for Craft ProjectsA Sampler of Craft ProjectsResources for Craft ProjectsSimple Cooking ActivitiesHelpful TipsSuggested RecipesResources for Cooking ActivitiesSelf-CareExerciseMental HealthLeisure ReadingReaders' AdvisoryStorytelling and Reading Aloud to Teen ParentsBooks and Toys: Creating Gifts for Their ChildrenBookmakingToys for Play and StorytimeResources for Toy-Making ActivitiesConclusionReferencesResourcesChapter 7—Parent-Child Interactive Literacy ProgramsEarly Brain DevelopmentGoals of Teen Parent–Child Interactive Literacy ProgramsPractices that Promote Early LearningMaking Reading a Part of Every Child's LifeBooks in the HomeIntroducing Teen Parents to Children's BooksModeling Read-Aloud MethodsCommunicating Early Learning ConceptsIncentivesPracticing One-on-One ReadingGroup StorytimesWhat Teen Parents Need to Know about StorytimeWho, Me—Do a Storytime?Storytime Program Development and PresentationProgram TemplateBilingual ProgramsSetting the SceneReading AloudMaking the Storytime Come AliveChoosing Appropriate Storytime BooksSongs, Fingerplays, and Movement ActivitiesPuppets, Flannelboards, and Other Special Effects for Group StorytimesBells, Scarves, and ShakersRecorded MusicAdapting an Existing Curriculum: Every Child Ready to Read®Early Literacy/Every Child Ready to Read® WorkshopECRR Concepts to HighlightConclusionReferencesResourcesAppendixAdditional Sample StorytimesRecommended Books, Flannelboard Stories, and MusicReproducible Storytime Observation ChecklistReproducible Fingerplay Lists 1–4Flannelboard Story Pattern: "It's Not that Cold Outside"Flannelboard Story Pattern: "Yellow Star, Yellow Star"Flannelboard Story Pattern: "The Wheels on the Bus"Chapter 8—Teen Parent Families: Playing and Learning TogetherMilestones of Early DevelopmentWhat about Play?Basic Baby PlayPlanning Successful ProgramsSelecting ActivitiesIntroducing ActivitiesBehaviors to ModelEveryday LearningSensory ExperiencesEarly Thinking and Problem SolvingNature WalkSimple Nature Activities for Early LearningInteractive Play Activities from Books and WebsitesConclusionReferencesResourcesAppendixReproducible Nature Walk ChecklistIndex

This is a very thorough overview of creating library services and programs for teen parents. . . .This would be a valuable book for librarians who want to start outreach to teen parents because it is so detailed. The authors are obviously very enthusiastic and committed to providing these services.