Recent data shows that in New York City, almost 14% of prengnat women under the age of 18 receive very little or no medical attention before their babies are born. These young mothers lack even the most basic knowledge on how to care for their children and themselves before and after birth.

As a result many young women’s understanding of sexual health is cobbled together from what their familes, their schools and the mass media can offer. This is an especially outsize problem in Queens, where, in 2008 alone, 1,634 teenagers gave birth.

Forestdale is the provider for the Teenage Services Act (or TASA) in northern Queens. TASA is a New York State preventive services program for teens who are pregnant and parenting and who need to access Medicaid.

Through TASA, Forestdale educates young mothers on their bodies and their babies and helps them access child care services, housing and work.  Forestdale helps young parents continue their educations, including opportunities for GED completion, SAT prep, college tours and admission to excellent colleges both in and out of state.

Forestdale’s Infant Mortality Reduction Program works in the Queens neighborhoods of Jamaica and St. Alban’s, which have the second highest infant mortality rate in New York City, as well as in Elmhurst and Far Rockaway. Caseworker Donna Downes, a veteran community health worker, travels to these areas to lead educational workshops and offer home visits.