DCPCA and lead partners Children’s National Hospital, Howard University, and DC Action joined with other District of Columbia organizations serving expectant and parenting teens and with teen parents themselves to form the DC Network for Expectant and Parenting Teens, or DCNEXT!.

DCNEXT! is a network of community organizations, health care providers, academic and government partners, and young parents working to increase young parents’ capacity to make healthy decisions about relationships, sex, parenting, education, and their future. The network’s relevance and success relies on the voices of expectant and parenting youth bringing their lived experience and expertise to the table.

In 2023, DCNEXT! completed a well-being survey capturing a comprehensive data set of the demographics, well-being, challenges, opportunities, and barriers facing expectant and parenting youth in the District.

Our goal was to generate data to inform and encourage program and service providers and policymakers to focus on this population’s unique challenges, strengths, and opportunities. When coupled with the Network’s significant qualitative research, we have ample findings to draw conclusions and recommend proposed actions.