Mandatory and Voluntary Participants

Mandatory Participants

A pregnant or parenting teen is a mandatory Cal-Learn participant if that teen parent:

  • Receives CalWORKs, and
  • Is under age 19, and
  • Does not have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and
  • Is in the same household as their child.

The Cal-Learn rules do not apply to teen parents who:

  • Receive Foster Care, or
  • Are excluded from the AU, or
  • Are determined ineligible for CalWORKs.

Voluntary Participants

Pregnant or parenting teens may continue to participate in the Cal-Learn program from the age of 19 up to age 20 on a voluntary basis, if ALL of the following requirements are met:

  • Are eligible and receiving CalWORKs,
  • Participated in the Cal-Learn Program prior to becoming 19 years of age,
  • Have not obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent,
  • Are attending a school program on a full-time basis which leads to a high school diploma or its equivalent by age 20, and
  • Reside with their child(ren) in the same AU.

If the 19-year-old teen DOES NOT meet all of the above requirements, that teen must be registered for CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) if no other exemptions apply.

A 19-year old teen, who previously participated in Cal-Learn, but is not currently receiving Cal-Learn, can volunteer for Cal-Learn participation, if otherwise eligible.

Example Example At 15 years of age, Mary was a Cal-Learn participant. At 17 years of age, she went off cash aid and was no longer eligible to participate in Cal-Learn. At 19 years of age, Mary is back on cash aid, has not received a high school diploma or equivalent, and wants to voluntarily participate in Cal-Learn. Mary is eligible to voluntarily participate in Cal-Learn if she meets the other criteria for a voluntary participant. 

19-Year-Old Volunteer Continued Participation

Once a 19-year-old volunteers to participate in the Cal-Learn Program, they must remain in the program until they receive a high school diploma or the equivalent or turn 20 years of age.

Example Example A 19-year old has volunteered to participate in Cal-Learn. The teen parent fails to provide her report card in a timely manner. The Cal-Learn case manager determines that there was no good cause and notifies the CWES Cal-Learn Worker. The CWES Cal-Learn Worker applies the appropriate penalty. 

Related Topics

Cal-Learn

Cal-Learn Procedures

Federal Eligibility and Case Management