Teen Companion/MAPPS

Teen Companion/MAPPS (Medicaid Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services) is a partnership between Communities In Schools and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). CIS incorporates this component into its whole-school strategy to ensure that students are offered wrap-around intervention plans designed to reduce teen pregnancies and insure school success.

A partnership with the Charleston County School District allows Student Support Specialists to be on site at the schools on a full-time basis. This access increases intervention opportunities and assists specialists in developing rapport with students, families, teachers, counselors, and administrators. Establishing these positive relationships makes it possible for CIS to have a real impact on school and family intervention services.

Before interventions begin, a needs assessment and case plan is completed by the student, parent or guardian, and student support specialist. The child can then begin participating in individual and group counseling and education sessions structured to encourage positive choices, and home-visitations, which allow staff to better assess client needs. Specialists can then refer families to outside resources when necessary.