Anita Martin and Amanda McKenzie, fourth-year nursing students at York University, did their community nursing placement in Bradford West Gwillimbury at the invitation of Jim Keenan.
Keenan, minister at Bradford United Church, had suggested they could work on a new outreach program for adolescent moms in the community as a health promotion initiative.
But once they started their research, looking at what was available locally and connecting with local service providers and organizations, the students came to the conclusion that teen moms “were pretty well taken care of in this area,” said McKenzie.
“Bradford has a lot of programs for young mothers – but their counterparts (teen dads) aren’t provided for.”
It was an “aha” moment. The realization led to a complete shift in the focus of their work. Instead of targeting teen moms, they researched and worked on a new framework to provide an integrated network of support and education for teen fathers – a father-care program.
“As nursing students, this year we focused on social determinants of health, and how important it is for dads to be involved in baby’s life,” explained Martin.
She noted that teen fathers are often still in high school, at high risk of dropping out, and often face a number of inter-related health issues, from under-employment, to sexual and mental health issues, housing, nutrition, and addiction.
“It’s like a snowball effect,” said McKenzie.
The students used the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s report on youth health, and connected with local service providers like Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers, and Catulpa Community Support Services, which provides Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) programs for teen and at-risk moms and their children in Simcoe County.
They also researched similar programs for adolescent fathers, most of them in the U.S., and said they were especially impressed by the Teen Fathers Program in Bridgeport, Conn.
That model combined in-home and group counselling, social work and educational supports, information on employment and parenting skills – “just about everything you’d want a young dad to learn,” said Martin.
It also established a social network of support that not only could lead to better education and employment outcomes, but potentially “help reduce subsequent pregnancies and possibly, partner abuse.”
After identifying their target group and refocusing the challenge, the nursing students worked on a brochure and proposal, laying out the framework for a similar multi-disciplinary program in Bradford West Gwillimbury – a template for establishing a social support network for teen dads.
Sadly, Martin and McKenzie won’t see the implementation of their proposal. Their semester here is coming to an end, and next semester they will complete an integrated practicum before graduation.
They acknowledge their proposal involves long-term planning and, in a way, changes to societal perceptions.
“It is challenging, because there are preconceived ideas for teen dads,” that dads are not involved, not connected, not important in the raising of their children, said Martin.
As the brochure read: “Young mothers often face more struggles than young fathers do, as they usually become the primary caregiver. Young fathers are often dismissed due to biased opinions about their lack of involvement in their child’s life.”
A program focusing on engagement and improving the social determinants of health for teen fathers – educational outcomes, personal health priorities, employment and social inclusion – could benefit not only young fathers, but their babies as well, they said.
Engaging the teen dads is part of the challenge. Martin admitted.
“At that stage of life, they are very self absorbed,” and may not be ready to assume responsibility.
McKenzie suggested that the same type of incentives CAPC uses to engage young mothers, from grocery vouchers, to transportation assistance, might be needed – something “that kind of gets them in the door, and then they can see.”
Another challenge is connecting those who need support with the services available.
“It’s been very educational to know that these services are out there, but for the person that needs them, how do people learn about them?” asked Martin.
While the pair are leaving, their work will be continued by the next team of York University nursing students. That team will arrive in January, said Keenan, and the next step will be to engage potential community partners and service providers in a collaborative workshop, to get them to buy in to the idea of a program for teen dads.
Keenan acknowledged the research was eye-opening, and revealed a definite gap in service. The current focus of existing community programs “doesn’t give the tools to be a good father, and perpetuates the myth that fathers aren’t important.”
“I think it’s worthwhile to pursue,” including the pursuit of funding for a pilot project in BWG, he said.
