Maternity Group Homes for Young Mothers in Florida: A Mixed Methods Examination

Introduction

Early pregnancy and parenting are related to educational, financial, and social disruptions for young adults and increased risk of poor developmental outcomes for their children. In addition, pregnancy and parenting disproportionately affects vulnerable subgroups of the adolescent population, including low-income, Black, and female teens. The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) provides funds for states to mitigate poor maternal and child outcomes among early parents. One mitigation approach, maternity homes, receive FFPSA funds. However, we know little about the operation and imp act of maternity homes in Florida. This project’s goal was to gain knowledge about maternity homes for pregnant and parenting young mothers in Florida and their impact on maternal and child well-being.

RESEARCH TEAM

Melissa Radey, MA, MSSW, Ph.D., principal investigator, is the Agnes Stoops Professor of Child Welfare at the Florida State University (FSU), College of Social Work (CSW). Shamra Boel- Studt MSW, Ph.D., co-principal investigator, is an Associate Professor at the FSU, CSW. Together, they conceptualized the project, designed the methodology, led advisory board meetings, conducted small group interviews with maternity group home providers, and conducted the qualitative analysis. Radey led the Institutional Review Board (IRB) application, quarterly reports, and the analysis of survey data, and Boel-Studt led the description of program models. This report is their collaborative effort.

Figure 1. Summary of Project Methodology and Integration of Study Aims

AIM 1

To describe the program models, services, and target population served in maternity homes in Florida.

AIM 2

To document the services that maternity home residents receive and how these services contribute to maternal and child wellbeing after program exit.

AIM 3

To gain insight into mothers’ and providers’ experiences with maternity homes and perceptions of service impact within the context of young mothers’ lives.

RESEARCH REPORT