As a strategy for reducing teen pregnancy rates and long-term welfare dependency, the Cal-Learn program was designed to assist teen parents receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs). The Cal-Learn program helps pregnant and parenting teens to attend and graduate from high school or its equivalent. This ambitious effort consists of three coordinated services designed to help teens become self-sufficient adults and responsible parents:

• Intensive case management assists teen parents to obtain education, health and social services.
• Payments for necessary child care, transportation and educational expenses enable pregnant/parenting teens to attend school.
• Bonuses and sanctions encourage school attendance and good grades. Four $100 bonuses/sanctions per year may be earned/applied based on report card results, plus a one-time $500 bonus for graduating or attaining an equivalent high school diploma.

Who May Be Eligible

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

• They are under the age of 19.
• They have not graduated from high school or its equivalent.

An otherwise eligible teen who is 19 years of age may continue to participate in the Cal-Learn program on a voluntary basis until he/she earns a high school diploma or its equivalent or turns 20 years of age.

How To Get Help

Pregnant/parenting teens may apply for Cal-Learn at either of the two Butte Community Employment Centers.