The Lake County Schools Teen Parent Program is requesting donations of crucial supplies needed to help teen parents and their children in these tough economic times. Donations may be dropped off at any Lake County public high school.
“Because of the high unemployment rate, it is becoming harder and harder for the teen parent students to provide their children with necessary items,” said Maggie Teachout, Director of Lake County Schools Career, Adult & Community Education Department. “Last year, we received generous donations from the Sons of AMVETS Post 1992 in Mount Dora and Sweetbay Supermarket, and each year the Lake County Library System and Cooper Memorial Library donates children’s books. This year the need continues, and we do not want our teen parent students to drop out of school in order to adequately provide for their children.”
The following consumable items are needed (all of these items must be new and unopened):
· Diapers, sizes 2-6
· Baby wipes
· Baby shampoo & baby wash
· Diaper rash cream
· Thermometers
· Replacement nipples for baby bottles
Also being accepted are new or gently used:
· Board books
· Socks of all sizes
· Hats
· Gloves
· Baby bottles
· Bottle brushes
· Sippy cups
· Potty chairs
In addition, new baby and toddler car seats are needed; safety regulations prevent the acceptance of used car seats.
The mission of the Lake County Schools Teen Parent Program is to ensure that all teen parents have the opportunity to graduate from high school and be prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. While being encouraged to continue their education, the students are also instructed in proper prenatal care and appropriate child nurturing skills. During the 2009-2010 school year, the Teen Parent Resource Teachers served 132 students and 79 babies and toddlers.
The teen parent program is a voluntary student support and assistance program designed to provide a specialized parenting curriculum and coordination of ancillary services to meet the needs of students who are pregnant and students who are mothers or fathers.
