Teens

There are people, places and resources you can take advantage of to make the system work for you and your child. Learn all about them here.

• What To Expect When You Are Expecting

  

  Being pregnant is a time of extreme changes in your body, your mood, and your life. Some of the changes (like gaining weight) you’ve heard about before, others may surprise you.
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• Employment

  

  If you are looking for a job, there are a few essential things you need to know. If you are a pregnant or parenting teen you have the same legal rights to work as a teen who is not. This is the law and if you think you are being discriminated against because you are pregnant ...
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• Choosing To Stay In Foster Care After 18

  

  You can decide to stay in foster care up to 21 years old. As long as your case was open on your 18th birthday, even if your case was later closed...
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• Selling Sex

  

  If you are being forced into having sex so that someone else can profit from the sale of your body, you are a VICTIM of human trafficking. If this is happening to you and you are under 18, this is called the “commercial sexual exploitation of children."
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• LGBTQ

  

  LGBTQ people are every race, every color, every shape and size. LGBTQ people hold every kind of job, live in every community, and have rich, wonderful lives full of friends and loved ones. And you will too! First off, your Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression ("SOGIE") is nothing to feel bad about. EVERYBODY HAS ONE...
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• Alcohol And Pregnancy

  

  If a mother uses alcohol during her pregnancy, there is a risk that her child’s brain will not develop normally, and the child could develop Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder("FASD"). Effects of FASD include:
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• Health Care For Your Baby

  

  From the time your baby is born it is crucial that they have regular medical checkups. When your child is young, they may need these checkups as frequently as once a month. A children's doctor is called a Pediatrician. If possible, it is best for your child to remain under the care of the same pediatrician as they grow up.
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• Mental Health

  

  Feel like it's all too much to handle? Are you sad, mad, or frustrated? Are you having trouble concentrating or struggling with getting along with your caregiver or even your friends? Wondering if you can make it through another sleepless night? You can get free professional help to figure out how to...
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• Birth Control/Pregnancy Prevention

  

  YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET BIRTH CONTROL WITHOUT ANYONE'S PERMISSION. Teens have rights when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health choices. Minors of any age can receive birth control without parental consent. The conversations you have with your doctor are guaranteed by law to be confidential.
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• Free Parenting Programs That Come To You

  

  If these programs don’t operate in your area, you can call 211 and ask for a referral to a Home Visitation Program.
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• Conflict With Your Caregiver

  

  When living with foster parents/relatives/guardians, it is important that you remember conflict is normal. Here are some tips for working through the conflict, anger, hurt and misunderstanding that create problems.
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• Sexually Transmitted Infections (“STI”) And Prevention

  

  STI's are sexually transmitted diseases. STI's are usually contagious. Undiagnosed, they can cause serious damage to your reproductive system. If you have an STI when you give birth it can be passed on to your baby. If you have had unprotected sex you may have been exposed to an STI.
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• Smoking, Drinking, Drug Use

  

  If you are smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs during your pregnancy you are putting your unborn child in danger. Anything you put in your body passes through the umbilical cord in your body, and into your baby’s body.
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• Self Care

  

  Your child has the best chance of being safe, happy, and healthy if you are taking care of yourself. Being a parent can be overwhelming at times, especially when you're a teen. If you aren't happy and healthy, it may feel impossible to take good care of your child. Finding time to take care of yourself may be more difficult than taking care of your baby.
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• Health Care For You

  

  You can get medical care for you and your baby even if you don't have enough money to pay for it. If you are in foster care, you and your baby are automatically entitled to receive free health care coverage called Medi-Cal. If you are not in foster care you and your baby are still eligible for free health insurance if you are low income.
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• Teen Dating Violence

  

  If you are worried that you may be in an abusive relationship, including one with a family member, you need to pay attention to your feelings and reach out for help. Abusive relationships are sometimes labeled as domestic violence.
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• Financial Help And Subsidies

  

  If you are a pregnant teen or a teen parent and you don’t have enough money to pay for your baby’s needs or medical care, there are may government programs that will help. You and your baby may be able to get benefits such as:
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• Education

  

  YOU DON'T HAVE TO DROP OUT! Being a teen parent doesn't mean your future is lost. You have the right to stay in school! As a pregnant or parenting teenage student, you have the same rights as...
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• Dads

  

  Can you be a dad if you don't live with your children every day? Can you care for children that aren't biologically yours? If you get deployed or incarcerated can you be a dad from far away? Are you really important at all? Yes! !
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• CHILDCARE

  

  If your baby is not detained you have the right to choose a person, for example, a family member, or friend, or a place to provide care for your baby. This is true even if you are in care.
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• Your Baby’s Education

  

  Your baby's education starts when your baby is born. In the beginning, you are the teacher. Don’t wait until they start school. YOU can: Talk, Read, Sing. To your baby!!!!
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• The People In Your Life

  

  The foster care system has provided you with a network of support. Knowing what the job of each individual is and how they can help you receive the health care, education, rights, and childcare support you are entitled to is important to your future and that of your child's.
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• Understanding The Court Process

  

  The court process can seem confusing and difficult to navigate, yet it is set up to protect you and your child and enforce your rights. Find out how to make it work for you.
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• Shared Responsibility Plan (“SRP”)

  The Shared Responsibility Plan ("SRP") makes your life easier. Parenting your baby while living in someone else's home, even a relative's can be hard. The SRP is a tool to help you avoid and deal with problems and make life easier for everyone. It's an agreement that...
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• Pregnant And Parenting Teen Conference

  

  A pregnant and parenting teen conference ("PPT") is a voluntary meeting for parenting and pregnant teens in foster care where you can share your fears, identify things you need, and figure out your plans for you and your baby. In addition to your social worker, you can invite...
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