I have spoken of the many people I knew growing up in middle and high school that got pregnant at a very early age and decided to go through with the pregnancy. Most of these girls I knew that decided to have their babies at such a young age did not turn their children over to adoption. They chose to raise their babies on their own despite the criticism from family members and peers, despite the stares and giggles they received from other students at school who had no idea what they were going through. At the time, I, myself, had no idea what these girls had set themselves up for. My thinking stopped at knowing they were my friends and knowing they were pregnant. Now that I am a mother of two and have not one shred of quiet time until well after my children have gone asleep, I think back on these girls I once knew and marvel at the strength it took for them to own up to their mistakes and take responsibility. I honestly have no idea what types of programs were around for these girls back in the late 80s and early 90s, but these days, young girls and women may benefit from the Pregnancy Assistance Fund. Applications will now be accepted for this fund by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Public Health and Science. This fund was made possible by the Affordable Care Act. This forward-thinking program will basically create a network of support for those teenagers and women who find themselves pregnant and/or parents. The program will provide services ranging from child care, health care and housing in order for these young women to finish high school and possibly gain college degrees, if they choose. The program will grant approximately twenty-five million dollars a year to states and local governments nationwide in order to help those pregnant teenagers and women. The funds provided by this program have also been allocated to help alleviate violence against women and teenagers who are pregnant. Kathleen Sebelius states, “The opportunity created by the Affordable Care Act will provide States and Tribes needed assistance to support vulnerable teens and women who are pregnant and parenting. The Pregnancy Assistance Fund provides States the opportunity to link these families to health, education, child care, and other supports that can help brighten the futures of parents and their children.” State governments will be able to use the monies granted to them through the Pregnancy Assistance Fund to build relationships with various key players in order to provide those services that pregnant/parenting women and teenagers will need. These key players include, but are not limited to, colleges and universities, high schools, State Attorneys General offices and various community-wide organizations. The purpose of this program is to ensure that these pregnant/parenting teenagers and women are able to graduate from high school or college, are able to provide adequate health care to themselves and their children and are able to be great parents.

Original Source of Affordable Care Act Helps Pregnant/Parenting Teens and Women