Hannah House provides residential and outreach services to pregnant and parenting teens and their babies.
March 2013 update: The volunteer members of the Hannah House Board of Directors are involved in a restructuring process that will refocus services to families living within the Upper Valley. The residential program which involved teen mothers from throughout New Hampshire was closed effective 12-31-12 and will not be resumed. Working with a variety of community members, the board plans to continue the mission of Hannah House through programs later in 2013. Information and referral services are still available by contacting Hannah House at 603 448-5339.
PAST Servicies: Over the past three years, between our residential and outreach clients, we have served 95-110 young parents and 100-120 babies per year. We focus first on meeting the needs of the parents – without, though, losing sight of the health and well-being of their babies. In order to help these young mothers be able to live independently and provide for themselves and their children, we provide a three-prong approach: Teaching healthy parenting skills; Providing vocational education and job placements; and supporting parenting in learning to live independently and advocate for themselves and their children.
1. Residence for six pregnant or parenting teens and their children
Program components available to residential participants include:
- Weekly therapeutic group; twice a week house meetings
- Instruction in parenting skills and life skills
- Weekend activities and/or field trips with both entertainment and learning goals
- Residents attend either area schools or participate in our vocational program
2. Case Management
Residential and Outreach Programs: one-on-one assistance in developing treatment plans, setting and meeting goals, identifying issues, and counseling.
- Weekly individual meetings with all residents
- Counseling: parenting, and adoption
- Meetings and home visits with outreach participants on an as-needed basis
- Transportation to and support at medical and therapy appointments
3. Vocational Program
- Tutoring towards GED or remediation of academic skills needed for a vocation
- Individual and group job readiness skill development
- Exploration of different vocational options
- Volunteer or paid job placement with job shadowing
4. Day Care
- Infant and toddler (6 weeks to 2 years, 11 months) day care
- Day care staff provide informal instruction on infant development and care
5. Preparation for Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Newborns
- Curriculum geared specifically to the learning needs of teens
- Field trips to hospital obstetrical unit, nursery, Pregnancy Resource Center
- Use of audio-visual aids, birth atlas, models to demonstrate childbirth, etc.
6. Parenting Groups
- Curriculum divided into three groups, based on the age of the child: newborn, infant, toddler
- Partners in Parenting Education (PIPE) program components integrated with regular parenting curriculum
7. Family Relationships Group
- Presents components of equal/healthy relationships between parenting partners and parents & children
- Presents components of abusive relationships and how to strengthen personal boundaries toward non-violent family life
- Use of family relationship logs, role play, identification of past family dynamics, education, and discussion
8. Teen Panel
Group of parenting teens, all Hannah House participants, who provide peer education to junior and senior high school students about the realities of being a teen parent.
