The Cal-Learn program was established to assist pregnant and parenting teens receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) to become self-sufficient by addressing their unique educational, vocational, training, health and other social service needs. Financial incentives and penalties are used to encourage these teen parents to stay in or return to school and earn a high school diploma or its equivalent. In addition, a case manager, also called an Employment and Training Worker (ETW), works with the Cal-Learn teen parent, providing intensive case management as well as supportive services to ensure completion of case plan goals.

• Intensive case management assists teen parents to obtain education, health and social services.

• Supportive services such as help with child care, transportation, educational expenses are provided to enable pregnant or parenting teen to attend school.

• Bonuses and sanctions are used to encourage school attendance and good grades. Four $100 bonuses per year may be earned based on report card results, and a one-time $500 bonus for graduating or attaining an equivalent high school diploma. Sanctions are applied if satisfactory grades are not maintained and/or timely report cards are not submitted.

Who is it for?

Pregnant or parenting teens who are receiving CalWORKs are required to participate in Cal-Learn if they:

• Are under the age of 19

• Live in the same household as their child

• Have not graduated from high school or its equivalent

• Are not in foster care