By Dr. Martine Elie
Howard University Speech and Hearing Clinic Director; member, HBP Board of Directors
“Wow! Howard University Speech and Hearing Clinic is a wonderful place with many resources for parents and children. We feel empowered as parents,” said one TPEP couple. “The staff shared with us lots of practical, creative, and interesting things that we can use with our daughter and we can’t 
wait to try some of what we learned at home. Thanks, HBP, for exposing us to this amazing place!”
Two generations impacted for change
This enthusiastic reaction was the norm when the Howard University Speech and Hearing Clinic partnered with HBP’s Teen Pregnancy Empowerment Program (TPEP) to promote learning and literacy skills for teen parents. Dr. Martine Elie led a TPEP session about the importance of education, “Language & Literacy,” fostering reading and education in teen parents and the means by which to pass those skills on to their children. As a follow up, program participants were given a tour of Howard University, the Howard University Early Learning Program, and the Howard University Speech and Hearing Clinic.
TPEP parents attended with their children, including a two-week-old baby. The day ended with hands-on experiences led by Dr. Elie and graduate student clinicians enrolled in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Teen parents and parents-to-be learned tools and strategies to use to help promote language and literacy in their children, thereby impacting two 
generations for change.
What TPEP participants said
“I really enjoyed learning about the Howard University and its Speech and Hearing Clinic,” said one TPEP participant. “The staff helped me to understand the importance of education and learning early about my child’s developmental stages. I want my two-month-old daughter S’mirya to grow up to be healthy and successful. I don’t want her to repeat the cycle of teen parenthood and make some of the same mistakes as I did.” And another shared: “This was an awesome trip and I feel empowered! It was great to meet and talk with college reps about attending college. I graduated valedictorian of my high school class and before having children, I dreamed of attending college so that I can give my children the best that life has to offer. I really believe that education is power.”
The teens especially enjoyed working with the student clinicians in various simulation experiences. “At the end of our visit, our teens really felt empowered and more confident about how to implement activities that can be used to enhance our children’s literacy, education and future,” said Kahlil M. Kuykendall, TPEP Program Coordinator. “They were truly reassured that they can start off right!”
If you know an at-risk pregnant District resident age 12-21, encourage her to learn more about the Teen Parent Empowerment Program.