In an effort to support and educate pregnant and parenting teenagers and women, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Public Health and Science announced last week that it will begin accepting applications for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund.

The grant program, which is part of the Affordable Care Act, will provide pregnant and parenting teens and women support services to help them complete their education and gain access to health care, child care, family housing and other support, according to HHS.

Those support programs and services are identified as state partners within the act, including institutes of higher education, high schools and community organizations.

States can also use the grant money to fight violence against pregnant women.

"The Pregnancy Assistance Fund provides states the opportunity to link these families to health, education, child care and other supports that can help brighten the futures of parents and their children," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in prepared remarks.

The act provides $25 million for each year - 2010 to 2019 - for awarding competitive grants to states and Indian tribes or reservations. According to HHS, it's estimated that up to 25 grants - $500,000 to $2 million - per year, will be awarded. Applications are due Aug. 2.

The Office of Public Health and Science did not return calls for comment.