Taking Charge A School-Based Life Skills Program for Adolescent Mothers

Taking Charge is the first empirically tested program of its kind, designed specifically to improve academic achievement and self-sufficiency for adolescent and teenage mothers, who face increased risk of dropping out and experiencing poverty. This eight-session, in-school group intervention uses cognitive-behavioral principles to bolster life skills such as focusing on action, setting goals, solving problems, and coping. The message embedded in the curriculum is one of self-efficacy and self-confidence, drawing on young womens strengths and teaching them how to manage the challenges of school, relationships, parenting, and employment. A treatment manual with detailed guidelines for establishing and leading a culturally diverse group, this guide also reviews the successful results of three school-based trials of the program, vividly illustrated with vignettes and containing all of the handouts and materials necessary for a school-based professional to implement the program. -- Groups can be led by social workers, counselors, school nurses, teachers, and even volunteers with little additional training -- An all-in-one treatment manual provides dialogue, forms, and handouts for facilitators to use in each session -- Empowers young women to take charge of their education and develop skills that will help them succeed in school and in life

Mary Beth Harris is both a social work educator and an experienced social work clinician. She began her social work career working with adolescent girls in group homes and at an alternative school for pregnant and parenting students. Subsequently, she was a family therapist and clinical program director on the U.S.-Mexico border for over 20 years before entering social work education.
Cynthia Franklin is Professor and Stiernbert/Spencer Family Professor in Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, where she is Coordinator of the clinical concentration. Dr. Franklin is an internationally known leader in school social work and school mental health practice and has published widely on topics such as dropout prevention, clinical assessment, the effectiveness of solution-focused therapy in school settings, and adolescent pregnancy prevention.

1. Critical life domains for adolescent mothers2. Theory and evidence supporting the development of Taking Charge Group Curriculum3. Taking Charge Practice Manual4. Leading the Taking Charge group5. Culturally competent leadership6. Outcome studies of the Taking Charge group intervention7. Presenting the Taking Charge group at your school