Young mothers difficult to reach: Study on implementation of prenatal and postnatal intervention programs for a high-risk clientele

This paper describes the implementation of a project to prevent the negativ e biopsychosocial outcomes of teenage pregnancy. The purposes of this proje ct were 1) to reach, is early as possible, young women under 20 years, eith er pregnant or already young mothers, living in the downtown area of Quebec city on the fringe of society, and perceived to be at risk, and 2) to deve lop their capacities to take care of themselves and their children, by help ing them to recognize their needs, to use adequately the available resource s, and the break out of their isolation. A team from Le Centre jeunesse de Quebec worked with 25 young pregnant women and 3 young mothers, over a peri od of 21 months. This team provided the women nd their children with a cont inued and individualized follow-up, which allowed them to develop their aut onomy.