May 11, 2005

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KATY — Becoming a parent in high school is challenging on many levels. Managing personal finances is one area teen parents may overlook while trying to address a number of other worries.

Katy Independent School District offers the Pregnancy Education and Parenting program to help teen parents learn such basics as infant care, nutrition and discipline. This year Elizabeth Trejo, Texas Cooperative Extension agent for family and consumer sciences in Harris County, teamed up with two Katy high school campuses, to offer a program called "Building Fiscally Fit Families."

"These teens often enter parenthood not even having a job," Trejo said. "So naturally, they don't understand checking accounts, saving, budgeting and the dangers of getting into credit card debt."

The six-lesson series covers these and other money management topics using games and other exercises to help the young parents take control of their new family's financial situation.

Kim Doss, Katy High School teacher, said partnering with Extension was an excellent way to present this information to her students.

"We definitely want to continue working with [Trejo] next year to offer the financial part of this course," Doss said. "It helps these parents think in longer terms as far as their money is concerned."

About 95 students participated in the program during the 2004-05 school year at Cinco Ranch, Katy, Mayde Creek and Taylor high schools. Trejo worked with Katy and Mayde Creek high schools this year, but may expand her financial management training to other campuses in the Fall.

Lorraine (last name withheld), a Katy High School freshmen who is due to give birth in July, said saving money is a new habit she developed as a result of taking the course, and is confident she will continue to save.

"Saving will also benefit my daughter in the future, because she can use savings for college or her family or a car," she said.

Karina (last name withheld), a Katy High School junior and mother of 1-year-old Andrea, also said she wants to begin saving for her daughter's future someday.

"My goals for now are to graduate from Katy High School and go to college," she said.