MAMA - FAQs

FAQs from Referral Sources / FAQs from Potential Mentors

FAQ’s from Referral Sources

What ages of teens does your program serve?
Our program serves pregnant teens ages 19 and younger. 

What cities/counties do you serve?
We serve the same regions that Carle hospital serves.  We serve all the communities within the following counties…

• Champaign

• Clark

• Coles

• Cumberland

• Crawford

• Dewitt

• Douglas

• Edgar

• Effingham

• Ford

• Iroquois

• Macon

• McLean

• Piatt

• Vermilion

Do the teens need to sign a release form?
M.A.M.A. does not require that a teen sign a release of information form in order to participate in the program.  M.A.M.A. obtains verbal consent from the teens before the teen is matched with a mentor.  Since the program is voluntary, the teen can choose to discontinue participation at any time.  However, providers may wish to obtain consent/assent from the teen in order to refer them to the program. 

How long do the teens participate in the program?
Teens will be matched with a mentor from the time of their consent to participate until six (6) weeks after they deliver.

How do you serve teens without phones?
M.A.M.A. has purchases Pay-As-You-Go phones along with prepaid minutes for those teens who wish to participate in the program but do not have access to a phone.  M.A.M.A. will give a phone for the teens to use throughout their participation. We have each teen using a phone sign a contract stating that they will return the phone to M.A.M.A. when they are no longer participating.  The contract also states that if the phones are used for purposes other than the program, the teens will be responsible for any charges incurred.

Do the teens need to be Carle patients?
No. Teens do not have to be a Carle patient in order to participate in the program.

Do the matches ever meet?
Although the program is designed for anonymity, if the teen and mentor wish to meet, it can be arranged.  We ask that both the teen and mentor agree to meet and choose a neutral location for the meeting, such as the hospital or a public forum.

Where do the mentors come from?
Our mentors are young women from the University of Illinois. 

How do you get the teens names?
M.A.M.A. relies on referrals from providers, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals.  If one of the above named persons knows of a teen who is pregnant they can send M.A.M.A. a completed referral form to (217)383-4014 or call M.A.M.A. at (217)383-3119 or (217)326-1781 with the teen’s name and phone number.

FAQ’s from Potential Mentors

How long will I be matched with a teen?
Mentors are matched with teens until six (6) weeks after the teen has delivered.  Length of work with the teen will vary depending on what stage of pregnancy the teen was referred to the program.

What is the time commitment?
M.A.M.A. asks that each mentor contact their match via phone at least once a week.  Phone conversations can vary from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on how much you and your teen have to talk about.

Will I ever get to meet the teen?
Although the program is designed for anonymity, if the teen and mentor wish to meet, it can be arranged.  We ask that both the teen and mentor agree to meet and choose a neutral location for the meeting, such as the hospital or a public forum.

What sorts of conversations might I have with my teen?
Since every individual teen’s concerns and needs are different every mentor will have a different experience with their teen.  It is a hope that mentors will primarily discuss issues related to the teens prenatal care and health (i.e. making sure they are attending all doctor appointments, encouraging them to seek medical attention when not feeling well, making sure they are following doctor suggestions in regards to diet and activity).  However, mentors may also be faced with discussions about unsupportive families, relationship difficulties with the baby’s father, emotional stress, and/or school related issues.  Mentors are encouraged to communicate with M.A.M.A. staff if an issue may arise in which the mentor is not capable of handling on their own.

Is there any training or orientation involved?
Mentors will attend a two (2) hour orientation and training session before being matched with a teen.  Program information and expectations, as well as basic prenatal care information and how to best communicate with a pregnant teen are topics included in the orientation.

How can I become a mentor?
You can become a mentor by contacting M.A.M.A. at (217)326-1781 or (217)383-3119.

What if I am matched with a teen outside of my area?
Due to the large area that M.A.M.A. serves, some mentors may be matched with teens from another city or county.  If mentors choose, prepaid phone cards can be provided in order to facilitate the cost of long-distance calling.

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