HELPING TEEN PARENTS STAY IN SCHOOL, GAIN ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND RAISE HEALTHY CHILDREN ELECT. Education Leading to Employment and Career Training

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1 HELPING TEEN PARENTS STAY IN SCHOOL, GAIN ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND RAISE HEALTHY CHILDREN ELECT Education Leading to Employment and Career Training An Initiative of the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare

2 ENCOURAGE Education Leading to Employment and Career Training: A Unique Partnership The Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) initiative enables school districts, vocational-technical schools and intermediate units to help pregnant and parenting teens earn a diploma or GED certificate, become better parents and make the transition to employment or higher education. Funded by the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare, ELECT services are available to students, age 22 and younger, who meet income eligibility requirements. YOUTH 3

3 Group and Individualized Services Designed to meet the changing needs of pregnant and parenting teens, the ELECT Initiative uses group and one-on-one approaches to meet each student s unique needs. ELECT programs have the following components: Promote resiliency and wellness Vocational, career and job readiness-training Health care and nutrition education Secondary pregnancy prevention education Academic tutoring, mentoring and homework assistance Child development and parenting skills Access to childcare and transportation Life skills training and family budgeting Intensive case management, including home visits Year-round educational activities, including summer contact Attendance tracking and retention Support for attaining a GED equivalency diploma Domestic violence and substance abuse information Helping teen dropouts re-enroll in school or a GED program ELECT Fatherhood Services In addition to the core services, ELECT reaches out to young fathers to promote active involvement in their children s lives and to address issues related to paternity. ELECT fatherhood services include: Fathering support groups Self-discipline instruction, including comprehensive research-based sex education Social skills development Opportunities to be mentored by positive male role models, and in turn demonstrate appropriate parenting behavior Life skills training and family budgeting References for paternity establishment, if needed REACH OUT 4 5

4 Collaboration that Works! Local Education Agencies (LEAs) work closely with County Assistance Offices (CAOs) to identify ELECT participants and develop individual service plans that address the student s educational and support service needs. Community partnerships are vital to the success of ELECT. Drawing upon all available local resources, ELECT offers services in school and community settings. LEAs and other community partners are encouraged to be creative, flexible, and proactive in meeting the complex needs of pregnant and parenting youth and their children. For LEAs, this means: Adopting school policies and practices that promote a student s continued education Awarding credits for attendance in parenting classes Offering adaptive physical education courses Providing flexible credit options based on mastery of subject matter Arranging for community services to be provided at school sites Incorporating flexible scheduling that extends beyond regular school hours Assisting participants with childcare Arranging for transportation For community organizations, this means: Identifying volunteers to be mentors and tutors for students Encouraging community agencies to provide services on school sites Endorsing community service activities Advocating job shadowing, on-site job training and summer employment in local businesses Promoting and sustaining community collaborations For young people this means: Attending school regularly Achieving academic progress Planning for self-sufficiency beyond school Accessing appropriate health care and emotional support for self and child Developing effective parenting skills Setting and working towards goals for a promising future POSITIVE IMPACT 6 7

5 Making a Difference for Students The ELECT program got me through high school. I wouldn t be graduating this year without it. Senior, McKeesport, PA The ELECT program helped me write a resume, learn about college credits and helped my mother understand the U.S. college system since she wasn t born here. Senior, Philadelphia, PA Since I ve been in the Teen Dad program, my GPA has increased by 1.5 points and my attendance in school is better too. Senior, Erie, PA Making Positive Outcomes a Reality ELECT programs are charged with the goal of meeting or exceeding the following outcomes for graduation, student grade-point average, school retention and attendance: 75% retention rate for seniors 75% graduation rate for seniors 75% success rate for attainment of GED Improved attendance for all participants Academic progress for students, demonstrated through improved gradepoint averages Coming to EFI (ELECT Fatherhood Initiative) was good. This program has helped me learn how to take care of my son properly. The program helped me keep my plans for the future. The program has been here when I needed them. Junior, Penncrest School District ACHIEVING SUCCESS 8 9

6 The following school districts, vocational-technical schools and intermediate units provide ELECT services: Allegheny Intermediate Unit Allentown City School District Altoona Area School District ARIN Intermediate Unit Berks County Intermediate Unit Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit Chester County Intermediate Unit Delaware County Intermediate Unit Erie City School District Greater Johnstown School District Harrisburg School District Lancaster School District Lincoln Intermediate Unit Luzerne County Intermediate Unit McKeesport Area School District Midwestern Intermediate Unit Neshaminy School District Penncrest Area School District Pittsburgh Public Schools Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit School District of Philadelphia Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Scranton School District Tuscarora Intermediate Unit Washington School District Williamsport Area School District Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Publication produced by the Center for Schools and Communities in partnership with the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare. Please visit these websites for more information about the Center for Schools and Communities or the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare

7 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Edward G. Rendell, Governor Department of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman, Secretary Department of Education Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary The Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare (PDE & PW) do not discriminate in their educational programs, activities or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, ancestry, union membership, or any other legally protected category. This policy is in accordance with state law, including Pennsylvania s Human Relations Act, and with federal law, including Title IV and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and the American Disabilities Act of If you have questions about this publication, or for additional copies, contact: The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Community and Student Services, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA , voice Telephone: , Text Telephone: , Fax: This publication was created by the Center for Schools and Communities. For further information, please visit