Partners in Parenting
UCAN's Partners in Parenting program (PIP) works with youth age 16-21 who are in the custody of the Department of Children & Family Services and on the path to emancipation and independence. The mission of the program is to work toward building relationships with teen parenting youth and to utilize client strengths, support and community to achieve adequate parenting and successful program discharge. Our staff provides complete care and support to the parents and their children in the form of case management services, connections to resources, and family support including family planning and parenting and community outreach guidance - all to promote healthy families and productive adults. The program specializes in helping parenting and/or pregnant teens to develop the skills necessary to break the cycle of abuse and to support independence.
Partners in Parenting youth learn to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children and to become advocates for their own health care by participating in this unique program. Our clients receive support in identifying and maintaining healthy ties with family members, extended family and significant others. We also teach our clients how to develop their ability to manage all aspects of daily life and how to utilize both social and job readiness skills through group and individual life skills training. Along with these types of trainings, PIP clients are offered therapy and other supportive services to address issues of previous trauma and abuse, interpersonal functioning, and if applicable, be actively involved in understanding and dealing with their own mental illness. "This therapy is essential for our youth as they learn to work through their trauma and move forward in life with their own families; we aim to empower our young adults with a sense of purpose, confidence and positive outlook towards their future," says Margarita Cordon, Associate Director of Transitional Teen Services. UCAN also works with the youth to make sure they continue their education after high school by assisting with college applications or helping them to enroll in vocational training programs. In addition, UCAN staff ensure clients are linked to community educational resources and are given proper support and services to make certain they have appropriate, safe and affordable housing prior to emancipation.
UCAN's Partners in Parenting program currently provides services to approximately 100 youth and their children. All program referrals come directly from the Teen Parenting Service Network, which is UCAN's statewide program that works with all pregnant or parenting teens in Illinois; this is beneficial for both the client and the organization because we can maintain a comprehensive historical file on each client. The majority of our clients live in Chicago, although we also provide services to youth in surrounding collar counties such as Dupage, Kane, and Lake.
For more information, please contact Lynsie Richards at 708-201-3007 or richardsl@ucanchicago.org. Para comunicarse con alguien en Español, favor de llamar a Margarita Cordon al numero 708-201-3003 o cordonm@ucanchicago.org.
