ELECT Family Works

The Family Works program serves any custodial/non-custodial pregnant or parenting teen, under the age of 22, enrolled in school or a GED program, with a personal income that is less than 235% of the Federal Poverty Income Level. Prior to enrollment, programs must verify the student's income and complete a preliminary eligibility screening using the AIMS system to ensure that the student is not enrolled in another program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare or exceeding the income eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

• Expectant or custodial teen parent, male or female, who receive TANF benefits. (ELECT)

• Expectant or custodial/non­custodial teen parent, male or female, who receive Food Stamp benefits. (ELECT)

• Expectant or custodial/non­custodial teen parent, male or female, whose personal gross earned income does not exceed 235% of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline (FPIG), which is verified. (FW)

• Enrolled in school or an approver General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Program

• Under the age of 22.

Require Services

• Health Care and Nutrition Information. Addressing the health care and nutritional needs of the mother/father as well as those of their child. Where appropriate, the importance of the mother's pre­natal and post­natal should also be included.

• Parenting/Child Development Education

• Individual/Group Counseling

• Vocational/Career Counseling; and Assistance in accessing Child Care and Transportation

• Coordination of Community Services

• Monthly Meeting and Coordination with the Local

• Student Assessment and Individualized Plan

• Case Management

• Individual and Group Supportive Services

• Access to Children and Transportation Services ­ Allowances for child care and transportation expenses are available through the Department of Public Welfare for TANF and Food Stamp recipients.

• Relevant Information Regarding Domestic Violence ­ This could include anger management and self­discipline information where appropriate.

• Budgeting and Family Planning Education

• Vocational and Career Planning

• Retrieval Services (optional) ­ Identifying and enrolling pregnant and parenting youth who have formally withdrawn from school prior to graduation.

• Retention Services

• Student Record Keeping

• Data Collection

• Job Readiness and Job Search

• Transition Services­ Continuation of services to TANF and Food Stamp youth, post­graduation, to support their school­to­work, training or higher education efforts.

Required Program Outcomes

• High School Dropout rate (not including those who transition into GED) may not exceed 25 percent;

• Graduation rate for seniors must be at least 75 percent of all expectant and parenting youths eligible to graduate;

• GED Dropout rate may not exceed 25 percent;

• Success rate for attainment of a GED must be at least 75 percent of all expectant and parenting youths testing for a GED;

• GPAs and/or earned credits should demonstrate academic achievement which maintains or reflects overall progress year­to­year for all expectant and parenting youths;

• Retention of at least 75 percent of enrolled students in their educational program;

• Maintained or improved annual school attendance rate for all expectant and parenting youth

The ELECT programs have become long­standing and respected resources within their geographic areas and are considered a great asset to the students and communities they serve. They provide an array of educational and supportive services that help meet the above mentioned outcomes. The services are provided primarily by school staff; however, some schools contract with a community­based organization for service delivery. The required core services are provided through support/educational groups, individual meetings, or curriculum­driven courses. Some programs provide academic credit for program participation.

This funding category has significantly increased the number of students eligible for ELECT's comprehensive services and has facilitated greater collaboration between PPT and ELECT programs.