Last updated: November 23, 2005

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  1. What is the Cal-Learn Program?
  2. Who participates in Cal-Learn?
  3. What are the basic components of the Cal-Learn program?
  4. What is Cal-Learn’s eligibility age requirement?
  5. Does the CalWORKs 60-month time limits apply to teen parents?
  6. How are Cal-Learn participants affected by the new school attendance requirements?
  7. How do I get more information about the Cal-Learn Program?

1. What is the Cal-Learn Program?

 The Cal-Learn program is operated by Sutter Medical Center to provide comprehensive case management services to teens who are pregnant or who already have a child. It is a statewide, mandatory program to encourage pregnant and parenting teens on welfare to graduate from high school or its equivalent and become self-sufficient.

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2. Who participates in Cal-Learn?

 Pregnant and parenting teens who are under the age of 19, who are receiving welfare and who have not graduated from high school or its equivalent.

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3. What are the basic components of the Cal-Learn program?

Cash bonuses and grant sanctions that encourage teen parents to attend and progress in school toward graduation. Cal-Learn teens can earn up to four $100 bonuses or sanctions each year based on performance. Teens that receive report cards reflecting satisfactory progress (C average or better) may receive a $100 bonus to the Assistance Unit. For report cards reflecting unsatisfactory progress (less than a D average), the teen may receive a sanction of $100 that is applied to the Assistance Unit over a two month period.

Supportive services that help the teen parent through the challenges of parenting and attending school, including help with child care , transportation costs and costs associated with the education program in which they are participating.

Intensive case management to assist the teen parent in obtaining needed education, health and social services.

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4. What is Cal-Learn’s eligibility age requirement?

 Cal-Learn’s eligibility age limit was increased under CalWORKs to allow 19 year-old teens to continue their participation in the program, on a voluntary basis, with three qualifications:
  • they were in Cal-Learn by age 18;
  • they have not graduated from high school or its equivalent;
  • they are attending school on a full-time basis, unless the county determines “good cause” for not meeting this requirement.
Other program components remain the same with intensive case management services provided and assistance with child care, transportation costs and other school expenses. Bonuses and sanctions continue to be based on school progress.

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5. Does the CalWORKs 60-month time limits apply to teen parents?

No. The time during which a teen parent participates in the Cal-Learn program is not count toward the CalWORKs time limits.

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6. How are Cal-Learn participants affected by the new school attendance requirements?

Teen parents who participate in the Cal-Learn program are not subject to the school attendance requirements. Cal-Learn participants continue to receive bonuses and sanctions based on academic performance.

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7. How do I get more information about the Cal-Learn Program?

Call the Adolescent Family Life Program at (916) 334-0188 or visit the Sutter Women’s and Children’s Services web site: http://sutterwomens.org/commprgms/index.html.

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