A Program for Pregnant & Parenting Teens

Jenna Monley, Manager

The School District of Philadelphia has an established goal of providing pregnant and parenting students at its high schools and middle schools with supports and services they need to succeed as successful parents, students and citizens. The School District strives to address the needs of its large urban youth population in the areas of education, social service, health care support referral to childcare services, and preparation for employment through its ELECT initiative.

The ELECT program is a statewide initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and Education and is facilitated locally through a partnership with Communities in Schools.

The program provides educational and social services support, along with parenting skills training, to pregnant and parenting teens via home visits. It operates in various Comprehensive High Schools and Alternative Education sites.

ELECT helps participants

• Improve Graduation rates
• Improve daily attendance
• Improve progress on Standardized Tests

ELECT helps pregnant and parent teens acquire important knowledge and skills in the following:

• Health
• Parenting Education
• Life Skills
• Community Resources/Legal Issues
• Academics
• Career Preparation

The Infant/Toddler Center at Lincoln High School is available for the babies of teenage parents and is staffed by trained child care professionals. This program provides support to teen parents by providing childcare for their children during the hours they attend school.