The Caring Equation: An Intervention Program for Teenage Mothers and Their Male Partners

This article presents findings from the evaluation of the Caring Equation, a Department of Health and Human Services-funded project established in 2003 in Arlington County, Virginia, public schools. The program is a multifaceted intervention program and is one of about 20 programs currently operating in school districts around the United States. The program's main goals are to educate adolescent parents about child development, foster appropriate parenting skills, keep adolescent parents in school, encourage educational and vocational training, and provide interagency resources. Results from the study indicate that the program is effectively providing core and supplemental services, such as educational and vocational training, to young parents; is successfully changing inappropriate parenting attitudes and behavior; and has increased father involvement with children.