Teen Parents and the Law (TPAL)

In 2004, the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and its State Center for Law-Related Education brought the TPAL program to Nebraska. More than 90 Nebraska teachers, counselors, social workers, corrections educators and community-based program coordinators have become TPAL trainers. TPAL curriculum is available for Consumer Science teachers.

TPAL Goals

  • To strengthen families
  • To lower the incidence of child abuse in the home by empowering teen parents with knowledge about the law
  • To break the cycle of violence with this generation of parents
  • To make better citizens and parents of those who are already teen parents
  • To decrease the percentage of teen parents among the next generation through the ability to make better informed decision and to solve problems

The success of this Civics Education program depends on the involvement of “pro-social” adults or role models. In each community where the TPAL program is implemented, the Bar Foundation has recruited lawyers, judges, police officers and other professionals to be “Pals” for TPAL classes. If you are interested in beginning a TPAL program in your community or would like more information, please contact Doris, doris [at] nebarfnd.org

Through the years, the TPAL program has been implemented at the following locations:

  • Ainsworth Community Schools
  • CEDARS Youth Services, Lincoln
  • Gering Public Schools
  • Lincoln Public Schools
  • Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, York
  • Omaha Public Schools
  • Plattsmouth Public Schools
  • University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, North Platte
  • Work Ethic Camp, McCook

 

TPAL Training from 2006