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Eckerd‘s Adolescent Parenting Programs has been in Richmond County for the last three years and is a program that serves adolescent mothers and fathers and expectant teen parents. The 2013-2014 year was the most successful with11 teen Parents graduating from high school and one of them being valedictorian of her High School.
A Richmond County Schools photo
LaSummer Bruton, valedictorian last spring at Leak Street High School, overcame the difficulty of being a teen mom to graduate with honors.
As the coordinator for this program, Jacqueline Ellerbe-Shannon continues to provide parenting education, one on one counseling and group counseling. She makes appropriate social service referrals to ensure the young parents have access to all available resources in their community.
This program focuses on increasing the graduation rate for young parents and decreasing the number of teenage pregnancies or repeated pregnancies through education and support. By providing these services, we help ensure our young parents have more knowledge, avoid abusive or neglectful behaviors and improve their overall chances of success.
The program seeks new members of the Adolescent Parenting Program Community Advisory Council, your input will be very valuable to this program. There will be a meeting at 5 p.m. on Sept. 24 to meet with all of you to discuss the Adolescent Parenting kickoff/send-off. The meeting will take place at Leak Street High School.
If interested in serving on this Council please contact Ellerbe-Shannon at 910-986-6498 or jellerbe@eckerd.org.
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