Teenage Parent Program
The Teenage Parent Program, funded by The Blandin Foundation and The Itasca County Collaborative, has been with KOOTASCA since 1993 and was part of Grand Rapids schools before that.
Our TAPP Program Mission:
- Provide parenting and life skills education to TAPP participants
- Collaborate with area schools to use TAPP hours toward credits earned for a high school diploma
- Provide a foundation and direction for post-high school education or entrance into the workforce
- Aid and support through the transitions into parenthood and from adolescence to adulthood by graduation
- Provide home visits, crisis support and support in life goals.
- Help teen parents form a support network and connect with their community
- Advocate for teen parents and help them grow their own voice to advocate for themselves.
TEEN AGE PARENT PROGRAM (TAPP) CLASS
Eligibility requirements: Pregnant or currently parenting, have NOT yet graduated High School or received a GED and live in or attend school in either Itasca or Koochiching Counties (if you do not meet these requirements, but are a young parent needing support see the “coming soon” section below)
Program outline:
- TAPP partners with area schools, including the Area Learning Center, Northern Lights Community school, and IASC schools, to help pregnant and parenting teens earn credits toward high school graduation.
- Moms’ class meets on Wednesdays at the Grand Rapids Early Childhood Hub (old Murphy Elementary school) from 8:30 AM- 2:30 PM
- Dads’ class meets on Friday at the Grand Rapids Early Childhood Hub (old Murphy Elementary school) from 10:30 AM- 2:30 PM
- TAPP students also have the opportunity to enroll their children in KOOTASCA’s Early Head Start program.
- TAPP students receive home visits pre and post-partum which include depression screening, Purple Cry training, goal setting and planning, crisis support, connection to community resources, etc.
- Professionals from Itasca County Public Health, University of Minnesota Extension, Advocates for Family Peace, Itasca County Workforce Center, AEOA, Itasca County HRA, a licensed clinical social worker and other area professionals present materials that helps ensure that TAPP Students receive education in a variety of topics. Further, TAPP Parent’s play a key role in forming their education opportunities. Some educational topics include time management, SIDS, mental health, CPR & First Aid, healthy relationships, child development, parenting strategies, budgeting and goal setting, physical health, child literacy, rental information and more.
- TAPP Students also spend time participating in community activities and events.
For more information, to make a referral, or to request an application for TAPP, please call/text 218-398-1399 OR fill out the referral form above.