When the youth contacts our Response-Ability Pregnant & Parenting Program, we assess their immediate situation. If their situation falls under the categories we serve, we do an initial intake to determine their needs.

In our client's community, we serve pregnant and/or parenting teens in Chicago, ages 13 – 18, who are precariously housed and at-risk of homelessness. Each community-based case manager works with approximately 12-15 clients.

Once an agreement has been reached that we will work with a youth, a community-based case manager goes out to meet with her one-on-one in her community (home, school, and other locations as needed.

During an initial assessment appointment, case managers and clients work together on developing a case plan to address the individual strengths, needs and resources of the clients.

A case plan addresses:
- parenting skills
- life skills
- conflict resolution
- how to access services for mother and baby
- support youth to delay subsequent pregnancies
- pre-natal care
- health care services
- doula services
- labor and delivery services
- mental health resources
- longer term housing
- job readiness and employment classes
- educational programs (alternative high schools, GED programs)
- child care
- obtaining identification cards
- public aid system