Abstract
Teen pregnancy and welfare spending have been popular topics in the media in the recent years. The purpose of this study was to expand on previous research on the experiences of teen parents on the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and allow the teen parents a chance to share their stories. Specifically, respondents were asked about their experiences leading up the decision to apply for MFIP, their current opinions of the program, and future plans. Professionals who work with teen parents were also interviewed and the responses were then compared and contrasted. Using a semi-structured interview format, four teen parents and two professionals were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed and coded by the researcher using an open coding technique. Several themes emerged from the research, including: lack of family support, experiences with violence, mental health concerns, drugs, positive and negative current experiences of the program, education as a goal, the desire to create a “normal” childhood, the need of the program to meet individual situations, and the desire for increased regulation for program participants. The findings report that MFIP participants and professionals have similar thoughts on how the program is currently working and what could be changed to make it more effective for teen parents. Ideas for positive change were shared by both participants and professionals.