Teenage parents and welfare reform: Findings from a survey of teenagers affected by living requirements

An important component of welfare reform aimed at minor teenage parents is a requirement that the teenager live in an appropriate living situation, ty pically with a parent or guardian. The State of Massachusetts developed Tee n Living Programs as an alternate living arrangement for minor teenage pare nts receiving welfare who are unable to live with family members. This arti cle reports on a survey of 199 teenage parents who lived in the Teen Living Programs. Three research questions were asked: Who are the teenagers serve d by these programs? What services were provided? To what extent have teena gers attained key outcomes? Outcomes measured included educational attainme nt, employment, welfare status, homelessness, and subsequent pregnancy. Imp lications for social policy, further program development, and clinical inte rvention are discussed.