Supporting the Young Mothers in Our Classrooms

By: CeCe President

When my best friend Nicole told me she was pregnant in the eighth grade, I knew our lives would change forever. What I didn’t know was how much the right support—from school, healthcare, and community—would shape her story into one of success and pride. Today, too many young mothers face an added challenge: substance misuse during pregnancy. This month, as we honor National Breastfeeding Month and head into a new school year, I’m inviting you to be part of the village that changes these outcomes.

Read the full story and register for our free virtual training on Preventing Substance Misuse in Pregnant Teens here.

Supporting the Young Mothers in Our Classrooms

I remember the day my best friend, Nicole, told me she was pregnant.

We had both just turned 15, still figuring out who we were, and I knew enough to know that life for both of us was about to change. I did not know how, but I was sure it would never be the same. 

I imagined the end of our carefree days traveling back and forth through our neighborhood, weaving between each other’s houses, the corner store, and the park. Those short walks and long talks were filled with secrets, laughter, and snacks, and I thought those little journeys might be replaced with responsibilities that left little room for the friendship we had always known.

Back then, we had all heard the statistics. People assumed certain things about teen mothers: lower graduation rates, limited career opportunities, and lives defined by struggle instead of success. If I am honest, a part of me feared those assumptions might come true.

But we were all wrong.

Today, Nicole is one of the most successful and inspiring women I know. She raised two incredible sons—my godsons—who both served our country with pride and are now devoted fathers and husbands. Nicole herself is a Senior Vice President of one of the largest real estate holding companies in the world. And Nic and I? We still travel together. Now we get to travel the world together, most often to the Caribbean or anywhere Beyoncé is performing!  We’re still laughing, still dancing, and adding to our 40 years of memories.

Nicole’s story is not just a testament to her determination. It is a testament to the power of support. She had a network that believed in her: a mom and grandma who stood by her unconditionally, teachers and counselors who kept her on track, healthcare providers who gave her the information and resources she needed, and a local community center that helped her make healthy choices for herself and her baby.

I still remember visiting Nicole after her first son was born. She was sitting in the small nursery her family had prepared, cradling him as she breastfed. She had a look of pride on her face that said, without words, “I am giving him the best start I can.” She knew that breastfeeding was more than just nutrition. It was connection, bonding, and a gift of health for her child.

National Breastfeeding Month and Forward Together

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and this year’s theme—Forward Together—reminds me of that moment with Nicole. It is about the collective effort it takes to ensure every mother, no matter her age, has the resources and support to give her baby a healthy start.

But not every young mother has that chance. For some pregnant teens, breastfeeding is not possible because of health complications, lack of support, or substance misuse that makes it unsafe. This is one of the many reasons prevention and early support are so important.

Our upcoming free virtual training, Preventing Substance Misuse in Pregnant Teens: Tools for Providers and Communities, will explore this connection in depth. Participants will learn how to identify risks early, engage without judgment, and help young mothers access the full range of supports they need to keep themselves and their babies healthy.

The Challenge We Can’t Ignore

Teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. have dropped significantly over the last two decades, but challenges remain, especially in under-resourced communities. The CDC reports that around 150,000 babies are born to teens each year. Pregnant teens face higher risks of complications, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, and developmental concerns for their babies.

When substance misuse enters the picture, the risks multiply. Prenatal exposure to substances such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or opioids can lead to preterm birth, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and long-term cognitive and behavioral challenges. Some studies show that nearly one in five pregnant teens report using at least one substance during pregnancy.

In our training, we will talk about why this happens. Often, substance use is linked to deeper challenges—trauma, housing instability, mental health struggles, or mistrust of systems that were supposed to help.

The Back-to-School Connection

As the school year begins, most students are thinking about new notebooks, fresh clothes, and the excitement of a new start. For pregnant and parenting students, “back to school” may mean returning to an environment that was not built with their needs in mind.

Some are balancing morning sickness with homework. Others are trying to find affordable childcare that will allow them to graduate. Some are hiding their pregnancy for fear of being judged or pushed out of school entirely. For too many, substance use becomes a way to cope with overwhelming stress.

Nicole did not face that challenge, but I have met young mothers who do. Prevention means more than telling teens to avoid substances. It means addressing the circumstances that make substance use feel like the only way to manage life.

Prevention That Starts with Trust

Substance use during pregnancy does not happen in isolation. For many teens, it begins at the intersection of trauma, stigma, and survival. That is why prevention needs to start with trust.

We need to:

• Identify risk factors early, from housing insecurity to depression.

• Engage without judgment, creating spaces where teens feel safe sharing their struggles.

• Coordinate care so no young mother slips through the cracks.

Evidence-based approaches like motivational interviewing and SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) can help providers and educators connect with pregnant teens in a way that builds trust and encourages healthy decisions. We will be practicing these techniques in the training so participants leave with tools they can use right away.

Forward Together Means a Whole Village

When I think back to Nicole’s journey, I remember the teacher who kept her in advanced classes, the nurse who connected her to prenatal care, and the community center staff who treated her like she belonged. That is what Forward Together looks like.

We can create that same network of care for today’s young mothers. We can equip providers, teachers, and community leaders to step in early, respond with compassion, and offer real pathways to health and stability.

Join Us in the Work

If you work in education, healthcare, social services, or community programming, or if you simply care about the future of young mothers and their children, there is a place for you in this effort.

We are offering two opportunities to join this free virtual training:

• Matt Butler & Tammy Washington de Sencion (August 21 and August 28, 2025) https://bit.ly/PSMPTwithMattButler

• Ronna Johnson & Tammy Washington de Sencion (September 16 and September 30, 2025) https://bit.ly/PSMPTwithRonnaJohnson

These sessions are designed to give you practical strategies for early identification, trauma-informed engagement, and coordinated support. Together, we can ensure that when a young mother walks into a classroom this fall, she walks into a community ready to help her succeed.

Because when we support the young mothers in our classrooms, we are shaping two generations and building a stronger, healthier community for us all.

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Entrepreneur and international speaker CeCe President is the creator of Be BOLD Enough: A Service-Based Leadership Development System. She empowers passionate leaders with the coaching, confidence, and clarity they need to create massive impact and serve customers at the highest levels.

CeCe holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the City University of New York. With over two decades of experience leading public, private, and non-profit organizations, CeCe is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and leadership coach whose work changes lives and reshapes organizations.

CeCe is an avid volunteer, outspoken advocate, and committed donor to various causes. Among the many ways she serves her community is as a board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and COSE, Cleveland’s small business Chamber of Commerce. CeCe and her husband, company founder Anthony President, are both native Clevelanders and proud alumni of John Carroll University.