Penquis CAP gets grant to aid teen-age parents

BANGOR – Penquis CAP Inc. has been awarded $59,735 from the Maine Department of Human Services’ Bureau of Health for continuation of the Transition into Parenthood, or TIP, program.

The TIP program provides case management support and educational services to pregnant and parenting adolescents who are under 23 years old and who reside in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

Priority is given to teen-agers under the age of 18 years. Services are delivered until the teen-age parent’s child has reached the age of 24 months, or until the teen-ager no longer wishes to participate in the program.

TIP currently is concluding its 14th year in Piscataquis County and its third year in Penobscot County, where the program works closely with Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Family Practice Center and medical residents to provide on-site support and education to pregnant teen-agers.

This grant is the second to be received by Penquis CAP this fall. Parents are Teachers Too, known as PATT, funded by Maine’s Department of Human Services, Division of Child and Family Health, provides education and support to first-time parents to empower them to give their children the best possible start.

For more information on the TIP or PATT programs, call 973-3578.