About the Program
The EMMA Program is all about educating and empowering young women to provide a better future for their children and themselves. It runs for two days a week. The program is aimed at those young mothers who want to make the most of their pregnancy and the first 12mths of their childs life by learning about themselves, their child and ways of creating a strong life foundation for both of them. The EMMA program provides time for the mother to work out her life goals and provides her with the knowledge and support on how to reach those goals whilst being a mother.
The program includes:
- Provision of parenting and life skill education including relationships
- Access to several educational options including Senior First Aid Certificate, Cert 1 in Financial Literacy, TPP, Career skills, Staying Strong and HIP Program, and Baby Swimming Classes
- Case management for mother and baby
- Access to a mentor for mother and baby on a weekly basis until baby is one
- Access to community programs supporting mother and baby. This is done by monthly excursions.
Life Bridge also runs a program for the partners of the EMMA girls called MAX. Please click here to get more information about the MAX program.
History of EMMA
2003 – 2005 |
Meetings were held with Dept of Education Qld, Dept of Health Qld and Life Bridge. This was facilitated by IFYS |
Partners: NIL
Funding: NIL |
2005 |
Lyn Baird piloted the program PAGE (Pregnant Adolescence Guidance Explored) through Kings Community Care |
Partners: Kings Community Care
Funding: NIL |
2007 April |
Program rebirthed as EMMA (Educating Mentoring Mothering Adolescents) with members of both government and non government representatives on the Steering Committee. Leah Houghton and Lyn Baird run the program voluntarily with Kawana Life Church donating the venue. Dept of Education Qld provides funding for one of their staff to assist the program. |
Partners: Kawana Life, Life Bridge
Funding: Dept of Education Qld for one teaching staff, NIL for rest of program or staff |
2007 Sept |
EMMA moves to Life Bridge Centre, Maroochydore where venue and admin support is donated by Life Bridge. |
Partners: SCYP, Kawana Life, Life Bridge,
Funding: Comic Relief Fund, Dept of Education Qld for one teaching staff |
2008 June |
EMMA has 29 girls involved and a trial pilot was initiated at Burnside High. |
Partners: SCYP, Burnside High
Funding: Dept of Education Qld for one teaching staff |
2008 Sept |
After requests from the participants and the welfare community, EMMA returns back to a community care model at Life Bridge. This was supported by a unanimous decision by the Steering Committee. Alongside this return, EMMA offers direct contact with both Anti Natal and Post Natal hospital staff. The program that remains at Burnside is taken over by Dept of Education Qld and renamed ‘STEMM’. |
Partners: SCYP, Nambour General Hospital
Funding: SCYP |
2009 July |
Lyn Baird sees a need to support EMMA male partners. MAX (Mentoring Adolescent Males) is created and runs fortnightly. |
Partners: SCYP
Funding: Coca Cola Australia Foundation, Wendys |
2010 January |
EMMA Stage 2 continues care to past participants through weekly PAM (Parenting and Music) classes |
Partners:
Funding: Inger Rice Foundation |
CURRENT |
EMMA has 15 girls + babies involved, with Leah Houghton as Coordinator. A strong mentoring program is in place and each participant receives case management support fortnightly. The program includes excursions, gaining first aid certificates, Cert 1 in financial literacy, support in TPP (Univ of Sunshine Coast) and other educational goals, baby attachment activities and continued life skills and relationship training. |
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Getting to Know the EMMA girls
‘I never thought I’d be a mum at 16’
‘I didn’t picture myself being a young mum’
Life! It doesn’t always come in a nice, planned out package. Many of us have experienced its unpredictability and wondered where it is all heading. When this happens the lucky ones have people around who can love and support them through it. But for some, either the support is not there or the event is just too big to deal with. It can seem like life has stopped and dreams have died.
Thanks to the EMMA program the dreams are not destroyed – just on hold. .... to read more go to our Printable Version
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