"anita fouse" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
(SNIP)
> Jeanette P., I did have one gal who delivered last summer and bottle fed
so her mom could feed the baby when she returned to school.  It is sad that
these girls have to return to school so quickly.  The teacher stated that
our school gives only two weeks off to new student moms.  How tragic.
(SNIP)

I just wanted to point out that schools in the USA have an obligation to
provide an education to a child until the child reaches the age of 21.  So
if a teen needs to take off time to have his/her baby and return to school
at a later date they have until they reach the age of 21 to get it done.
If a teen did something to themself - like hurt themself on the football
field, hurt themself at afterschool work, hurt themself fooling around with
their friends swimming or driving or something - the school wouldn't have a
right to FORCE those teens back to school in two weeks.  Schools can not
FORCE a teen to return by two weeks post partum.  Many do but it is illegal.

In Oregon there is some Federal and state money to help pay child care
givers to support these teens returning to school.  The money from Oregon
(whether this is all Oregon money or a combination of state and federal
dollars I do not know) is quite substantial.  Teen mothers are placed in the
special needs category.  The extra money SHOULD be used to support that
teen's educational process and needs.  This program is similar to that which
should be providing extra assistance to children with developmental or
learning disabilities or other learning challenges.

Federally there is at least Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) or more
commonly known as welfare.  Some 85% of folks accepting TANF are now, or at
one time were, a teen parent.  Federal regulations mandate a return to work
or school by three months post partum.  There are additional federal dollars
to support teen parents at school too.  There is a constitutional right to
an education in this country.  The public schools have to provide it.  There
are many ways to help a teen parent finish school and they don't have to
FORCE them back by two weeks post partum.

Maybe you can be part of the wrap around services team helping to make good
decisions *with* these teens for themselves, their infant, families, and the
school?

-Monique
Oregon

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