(a)
The Legislature finds and declares that the connection between teenage parenting and long-term welfare dependency has been well documented by recent social science research. An estimated 60 percent of teenage parents who are currently receiving welfare will have 10 or more years of dependency on aid. Average time on aid for teenage parents is significantly longer than for parents who begin families at an older age.
(b)
The Legislature finds that teenage parents who receive assistance under the CalWORKs program have unique education, vocational, training, health, and other social service needs that are not specifically provided for as part of the welfare-to-work activities. Research shows that successful programs that help teenage parents achieve self-sufficiency contain the following features:
(1)
A comprehensive range of health and social services.
(2)
Adequate supportive services.
(3)
A sympathetic and supportive program atmosphere.
(4)
Individual attention, especially regarding education pace and plan.
(5)
An open format and an extended period of program availability.
(6)
Caring, nonjudgmental staff.
(7)
Strong case management systems, including followup activities to determine whether a student is progressing in his or her studies.
(c)
The Legislature declares that this article is intended to ensure that the GAIN program does all of the following:
(1)
Provide the education and training services needed by teenage parents to help them earn a high school diploma or its equivalent, including vocational training and preparation that may be available through local education agencies.
(2)
Link teenagers to other needed health and social services available in the community.