The program employs an in-home facilitator, who is a licensed social worker, and a volunteer supervisor. The majority of girls in the teen parenting program were born to teen mothers themselves. Their most common offenses include shoplifting, battery, or status offenses. Many of the probationers have received poor or inadequate parenting and little adult supervision. Many have experienced chronic school failure and may have learning disabilities.
Staff believe that many of the girls are seeking attention, love, and acceptance in negative ways.
Each visit, lasting from one to two hours, offers parenting education and positive skill development to the girl and her family. After the first 10 weeks, follow-up supervision is conducted by a VPO who makes home visits or phone contact every week. Each girl also has an individual needs assessment and service plan, which helps connect her with other community resources. The program enables girls to bond with a caring adult who provides a positive role model. Relationship building is a major emphasis of the program.