Teachable Moment Study St. Mary’s Home conducted research and
produced a report called “The Teachable Moment” that documented
the issues of addiction and substance use among pregnant teens
in all maternity homes across Ontario in 1990. This research
highlighted the significance of substance use and misuse and
paved the way for development of programs to support pregnant
youth in having a substance-free pregnancy, greatly improving
the health of the infant. Today much more is known about the
devastating effects of alcohol on the unborn child and about
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) as a completely
preventable tragedy. Programs and services available the Teen
Parent/Child Outreach Centre are directed at reducing the
incidence of FASD among the children of teen parents. “The
Spiral of Growth” a sequel study completed in 1994, provided
guidance to revising the residential program, aimed at
supporting clients in decision-making for healthy lifestyle
changes.