Teenage Parent Program

TEEN AGE PARENT PROGRAM (TAPP) – FOR TEENS WHO ARE PREGNANT OR PARENTING

TAPP Class, funded by The Blandin Foundation and The Itasca County Collaborative, partners with area schools to help pregnant and parenting teens earn credits toward high school graduation. The class culture is strongly supportive of teen parents, with a moms’ class meeting on Tuesdays at the Itasca Resource Center from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm and a dads’ class meeting via Zoom on Thursdays from 12:00-2:30.

We also maintain Outreach through other communities and schools such as Northern Lights Community School and Deer River High School.

Our TAPP Program Mission:

  • Provide parenting 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
  • Provide assistance and support through the transitions into parenthood and from adolescence to adulthood by graduation

Professionals from Itasca County Public Health, University of Minnesota Extension, Advocates for Family Peace, Itasca County Workforce Center, Grand Itasca, area merchants, and a licensed clinical social worker present materials that helps ensure that TAPP Students receive education in a variety of topics. Further, TAPP Parent’s play a key role informing their education opportunities. Some educational topics include time management, SIDS, mental health, CPR & First Aid, healthy relationships, child development, budgeting and goal setting, physical health, child literacy, and more.

TAPP Students also spend time participating in community activities including the annual Children’s Fair, Community Connect, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, homeless awareness, Children’s First! events and other community activities. TAPP students also have the opportunity to enroll their children in KOOTASCA’s Early Head Start program.

For more information, to make a referral, or to request an application for TAPP, please email caitlync@kootasca.org or call/text 218-398-1399.