ELECT
Teen Parenting is a program that provides supportive services to pregnant and
parenting teens within the School District of Lancaster. The program is a
partnership of three agencies Urban League, Spanish American Civic Association,
and Pressley Ridge. These three agencies provide Case Management to the
students.
ELECT
has an innovative approach for its pregnant and parenting teens. The program is
monitored by the Center for Schools and has been around for fifteen years.
ELECT
has an 86% graduation rate. This year ELECT had 75 program participants, out of
the 75 students 30 were seniors in which 16 graduated June 09, 2009. The
remaining will graduate in August. Out of the 16 students that graduated all 16
will be furthering their education by attending HACCA, Consolidated School of
Business, School of Cosmetology, or Millersville University.
Services
that ELECT provides is on site childcare, transportation, support group, Summer
program, Summer school and night school (paid for by program) prenatal classes,
and time and money management skills.
ELECT also works with the teen fathers through the Fatherhood Initiative program, teaching them anger management, coping skills, and provides a positive male role model curriculum.
This year ELECT had 30 seniors in the program. Out of the 30; 16 graduated June 9th. The students that graduated June 9th, all 16 will either be attending HACC, Millersville, or Consolidated School of Business. Through the struggles of being a teen parent, these students broke down the stereotype that teen parents are dropouts. The remaining students will graduate in August.
ELECT Teen Parenting has a Summer Program that runs June 23rd- July 17th. The
purpose of the Summer Program is to continue educating teens through
interventions about HIV, parenting & life skills, domestic violence,
nutrition, employment & job search, and education. Students are also taken
on field trips weekly to places such as Dutch Wonderland, Pottery Place, Career
Link & Sight & Sound Theaters. These trips are at no cost to the
student. Most of these trips students are able to also bring their children.
The purpose of this is to teach teen parents how to interact with their babies
in a public setting. The students will also be doing a community day at
Conestoga View, assisting the elderly with crafts, games, and taking them for
walks.