Teen Parent Program
Are you pregnant? Do you already have a child?
Click on the links below to explore your educational options.
What should I do first?
May I stay in school?
Are teen dads allowed to participate in the teen parent program?
What special services are available to me?
May I bring my child to school?
What resources should I look at now that I'm pregnant or have a child?
Tell me about the history of Cyesis.
Are volunteer opportunities available?
What should I do first?
Contact your guidance counselor and the school nurse.
Your guidance counselor will explain the educational options available to you. The school nurse will make sure you are connected with healthcare professionals.
May I stay in school?
Yes. Depending on where you live, you may choose to attend the Riverview High School Cyesis Teen Parent Program or the North Port High School Cyesis Teen Parent Program.
Each program offers prenatal, Lamaze, parenting classes, on-site childcare and the ability to choose from traditional classes or a variety of online courses. A social worker is available to make sure you are connected to the many community services available to you.
Your guidance counselor will review your credits and coordinate the transfer process. You and your guidance counselor will work to set up an educational plan to meet your needs. You may take mainstream courses, virtual courses or online courses linked to the Performance-Based Diploma program. Other opportunities include elective courses such as foreign languages, career, and technical education, physical education and art. Students who qualify may take advantage of courses offered at the Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI). Parenting courses help you receive information about your child's development and health.
You will be provided with a peer mentor who is also a pregnant or parenting teen in the teen parent program.
Both Riverview High School and North Port High School offer a strong academic program focusing on skill development, parenting education, and meeting credit and assessment requirements for graduation. Students are provided with assistance and counseling in educational and career opportunities, enabling them to leave high school with options and plans for continued success.
Yes. You may remain at your districted school.
Please be sure to let your guidance counselor know that you are pregnant or already have a child. The counselor will link you to the community services available to assist you during pregnancy and parenting. Services and resources are limited, and there is no on-site childcare. The only programs that offer on-site childcare are the Riverview High School Cyesis Teen Parent Program and North Port High School Cyesis Teen Parent Program.
Yes. In addition to attending the teen parent program, you may be able to attend STC.
Your RHS or NPHS guidance counselor will review the availability of programs at STC with you along with the requirements and the application process.
Are teen dads allowed to participate in the teen parent program?
Yes. Dads play a vital role in their child's life.
Teen dads are encouraged to participate in the teen parent program, taking prenatal and parenting classes. Please contact your guidance counselor and school social worker to make sure you are linked to the appropriate school and community services.
What special services are available to me?
The Cyesis Program offers access to a wide range of services.
Mental health services, mentors, summer childcare, and post-graduation plans are just some of the services available to you, coordinated by the school social worker.
The social worker will link you with a family advocate from Children First.
At RHS, the social worker may be reached at 941-923-1484 extension 64049.
At NPHS, the Cyesis Program coordinator may be reached at 941-423-8558.
May I bring my child to school?
Yes. Quality, on-site childcare is available on both the Riverview High School and North Port High School campuses at no charge to the teen parent. A special bus equipped with car seats will be provided to ensure the safety of you and your child. On-site childcare is not available on other high school campuses.
The RHS and NPHS on-site childcare program maintain the highest standards of early care and education for your child. They are operated by the Sarasota County School Board, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), licensed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and are partners with the local Head Start agency, Children First.
Daily activities
Young children learn through contact with other children and adults. Your child will participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor play. All activities and practices are age-appropriate. The childcare program focuses on the needs of each child.
Infants and toddlers are at an important time in their lives. The care and experiences they have will be nurturing, consistent and loving.
Lesson plans are posted in each childcare classroom. They will describe the experiences planned for the children each week. Childcare teachers spend time reading, singing and playing with children daily.
Teen parents are encouraged to share ideas for classroom activities with their early childhood educators.
Childcare Philosophy
The Cyesis Program offers to nurture childcare centers that follow developmentally appropriate practices. The classroom model allows each child to develop the necessary skills for physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth so that school readiness is achieved.
Volunteers
On the RHS campus, community volunteers are welcome to join our Lullaby, League. Each volunteer will receive a background screening and participate in an orientation. The minimum commitment is for two hours per week. Lullaby League members must be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school and be able to get up and down from the floor. Please contact the RHS Cyesis Program's childcare director 941-923-1484, ext. 64290, for more information.
History of Cyesis in Sarasota County, FL
The CYESIS Program goes back to 1978 when a group of concerned citizens and community agencies saw the need for an educational program for pregnant and parenting teens. Students are able to stay in school, knowing their babies are in a safe environment. The CYESIS Program influenced the State of Florida's decision to guarantee all teen parents the right to an education with additional services available to assist them in the health and care of raising a child.
Today, Sarasota County offers a strong teen parent program with on-site childcare at the Riverview High School campus and the North Port High School campus.
Community services for pregnant and parenting teens
Click links to take you to the website.
Health & Insurance Information
Sarasota County Health Department
The health department provides health care, human services and environmental services to Sarasota County residents. The medical and other programs help keep you, your family and the public healthy. The health department offers clinics with doctors and nurses, immunizations (shots for school), tests for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and access to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, dental care, HIV/AIDS services, community wellness programs and much more.
Healthy Families offers a home visiting program for pregnant and parenting teens who may be experiencing stressful life situations. The program provides parenting education and community support. This is a voluntary program where you will learn how to recognize and respond to your baby's changing developmental needs, use positive discipline techniques, cope with the day-to-day stress of parenting in healthy ways, and set and achieve short- and long-term goals.
Domestic Violence Information & Reporting
The Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is a state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services. All services are free and confidential. SPARCC operates an Outreach Center in downtown Sarasota, has an office in south Sarasota County and runs a shelter operating 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Clients also may be served at the local courthouses.
Child Development and Day Care Information
Children First/Early Head Start
Children First provide a full-day, early education program for your child. The staff provides a stimulating and nurturing environment and will identify and address health or developmental issues involving your child.
The Florida Center for Early Childhood
The Florida Center for Early Childhood provides services to you and your child(ren) with a focus on nurturing your child's development to decrease risk factors related to academic and developmental delay, behavioral and mental health disorders, and abuse and neglect.
Florida Department of Children & Families
The Florida Department of Children & Families works with all licensed child care centers in Florida to make sure they comply with state licensing standards.
Parenting Information
Teen Parent Networks
Educational and Fun Activities for Children