C7.42 Family Planning and Pregnant Youth

4/22/2025

Youth in out-of-home care (OOHC) are more likely to become pregnant or parent early as compared to their same age peers. Therefore, it is critical to provide youth in OOHC information about reproductive health and contraception as described in SOP C7.41 Sexuality Education and Prevention of Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. When youth in OOHC become pregnant it is important to provide them with accurate information and connect them to needed resources as early in the pregnancy as possible.  ​

1. Discusses the subject in a factual, objective manner, as with any other medical issue when a youth in OOHC is pregnant and needs information about their family planning options including: 
   
1. Abortion; 
2. Adoption; or
   
3. Keeping a baby; 
   
2. If not familiar with a subject, or is not comfortable discussing it with the youth,  may request the assistance of staff or health professionals.;
   
3. Informs the youth about all possibilities and remains neutral in the presentation of options;  
4. Should be familiar with each option and the related regional or state laws and resources, including: 
1. Available medical and adoption services; 
2. Financial support; 
   
3. Counseling; and 
4. Any other appropriate service. 
5. Provides information regarding how to contact resources when the youth is aware of each option and asks for assistance with a referral;
   
6. Does not become directly involved in implementation of the youth’s plans after the youth is aware of all options and has referral information;
   
7. Documents in TWIST that: 
1. The youth has been provided information about options and resources; 
2. Who provided the information; and 
3. The date on which the information was provided.
8. ​When pregnancy of a committed youth is suspected, ensures that the youth receives a physical examination, for confirmation of pregnancy and to determine when the baby is due to be born;​
9. Refers the youth for medically complex designation at any time during the pregnancy if it is determined that the pregnancy is high risk, or that the fetus has medical complications;
10. Ensures that the pregnant youth youth is assessed if substance misuse is suspected;
11. Ensures that the pregnant youth completes an online Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment to determine areas in which the youth has strengths and/or needs assistance for:
1. Independent living by selecting the age-appropriate assessments; 
2. Pregnancy and delivery by selecting the Casey Inventory for Pregnant Teens (Please see related information for appropriate websites); ​and 
3. LYFT Learning curriculum (if not completed). 
12. Ensures that the pregnant youth: 
1. Attends all prenatal appointments; 
2. Enrolls and attends all prenatal Lamaze classes when recommended by the medical provider; 
3. Enrolls and participates in the Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program offered through the local health department; and 
4. Receives mental health services, if needed. 
   
13. Convenes a family team meeting (FTM) following the guidelines in SOP G1.8 Family Team Meetings​ and includes participants including, but not limited to: 
1. ​​​The pregnant youth; 
2. The youth’s parents if no termination of parental rights (TPR); 
3. Suspected or confirmed father; 
4. Foster parents or private child care (PCC)/private child placing (PCP) worker; 
5. Regional independent living specialist; 
6. HANDS (health department) worker; and 
7. Mental health therapist, if applicable. 
14. Facilitates topics in the case plan meeting such as: 
1. ​​Placement status and/or placement change to a: 
   
1. ​Foster home; or 
   
2. Residential facility. 
2. ​Information on making an informed decision about parenting, adoption, or abortion;
3. The youth’s educational progress, including options such as special educational services and/or tutoring if needed; and
4. Options for post-secondary/vocational training. 
15. Once the baby is born:
1. ​Ensures that the youth: 
   
1. ​​Attends all post-natal checkups as scheduled; and
   
2. ​Attends all well-baby checkups as scheduled. 
2. Requests paternity testing; and 
   
3. Assists the youth with the following referrals:1 
1. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through the local health department; 
2. Family support for needed services; 
3. Child care assistance when the youth is ready to return to school and/or work; 
4. Kentucky Early Intervention System, as needed; and 
5. HANDS or parenting classes if not utlizing the HANDS program; 
   
6. Family preservation or other title IV-E prevention services if it would be beneficial to the parenting youth and child. ​