With a focus on teen parents, the central goal of youth programs in Colorado is to help young parents achieve their potential as parents. Through group discussions and craft projects, teen parents explore developmental issues around their babies as well as ways to care for themselves. Teen parents in Bloom communities around the state have been working to develop scrapbooks for their children that track their child's social-emotional development. The scrapbook is a hands-on learning tool that asks probing questions that elicit maternal sensitivity and encourage secure attachment. Through these books, teen parents explore their baby's development and are encouraged to develop ways of responding to their child. One page of a parent's scrapbook in Mesa County reads, "Attunement is when you know what your baby is feeling and you let him know that you know. Ask yourself: What is my baby feeling right now? How can I let him know I understand?"

Meet a few of our teen parents:

Kayla is a 19-year-old mother of a beautiful baby boy. Kayla has experiences with the mental health system and as a mother, her mental health issues have become increasingly challenging. Kayla jumped on the opportunity to participate in the production on of a public service announcement. The public service announcement served to bring public awareness to the state of Colorado about child and infant social emotional development. Being a part this project filled Kayla with a sense of accomplishment and efficacy. Kayla is very interested in continuing to participate in BLOOM activities.

Cookie is a senior at an alternative high school in Colorado. She attends this alternative school as a result of her mental health issues and because she is a teen parent. Cookie was identified as having overcome these significant life challenges in achieving success in her home and school. Cookie was recognized at her graduation ceremony in front of her friends, family and her entire graduating class.

For more information, or to join a teen parent group in your area, please contact Rachel Lambert at rlambert@coloradofederation.org.