Cal-Learn Teen Parents' Program: Your Rights
From CalWORKs | Welfare Resources
Contents |
Cal-Learn
- What Is It?
- A school program for pregnant teens and teen parents.
- Do I Have To Do It?
- Yes, if you are on aid, under age 19, and don’t have a high school diploma or GED. (You can volunteer to stay on until you graduate or turn 20, if you are in Cal-Learn at 19.)
- Why Volunteer?
- Otherwise, if you stay on aid, you have to do the CalWORKs program. CalWORKs doesn’t give bonuses and has harsher penalties, and time limits on aid.
- Can I Postpone Cal-Learn?
- You can “defer” Cal-Learn if:
- Supportive services are temporarily not available.
- You can’t get the required case management services.
- Have a unaddressed special need that directly affects going to school/earning your GED.
- Are in postpartum recovery prescribed by a doctor.
- Can I Not Do It?
- You are exempt from Cal-Learn only if you are:
- Expelled from school and can’t make other school arrangements.
- Seriously ill or incapacitated.
- You can’t find child care or transportation.
- You are in foster care.
- What Supportive Services?
- You have the right to get things you need to do your school program, like child care, transportation, books, GED testing fees, laboratory fees, etc.
- Can I Get a Bonus?
- Yes, if you’ve been in Cal-Learn at least 90 days:
- You get $500 if you graduate from high school or earn a GED.
- Your caretaker gets $100 each time your report card has a "C" or better average.
- Are There Sanctions?
- Yes, if you don’t have a good reason why you:
- Failed to turn in your report cards within 10 working days.
- Have a report card average below a "D" ($100 per report card).
- See more, below.
- What If I Drop Out?
- You are still part of Cal-Learn until you turn 19. Your case manager should help you find another school or GED program. You’ll get a $100 penalty up to four times per year for not turning in a report card (unless you can show good cause or that you should be exempt or deferred).
- I Graduated / Got a GED!
- Congratulations! Once you finish Cal-Learn, you will need to do the CalWORKs work program. If you enroll in college or vocational program before going to the CalWORKs “appraisal” appointment, you are guaranteed a chance to make education your CalWORKs assignment. (See Getting CalWORKs Education and Training.)
- I'm Having Problems!
- If you are having problems with Cal-Learn (sanctions, deferrals, exemptions, support services): Ask for a state hearing! Fill out the back of any Notice of Action or call (800) 952-5253.
Cal-Learn Sanctions
If you don’t turn in your report card on time or if you are not making “satisfactory progress,” you may get sanctioned! You’ll get a 10-day notice if there is a problem. The worker also needs to try to call or see you. Turn in your report card or ask your worker to find that you had “good cause” in this 10-day time.
Good cause is when:
- You were temporarily sick.
- You had to go to court or were incarcerated.
- Bad weather kept you from going to school.
- You had no transportation.
- You don’t want major medical services needed to do school.
- Child care problems (not reasonably available during school, child ineligible for Cal-Learn paid child care, arrangements fell apart or were interrupted).
- You should be exempt or deferred.
- There is a family crisis.
- Any other “substantial and compelling reason” (according to the county).
Need More Help?
For more legal help and information, you can use LawHelpCalifornia to contact a local legal advocate.
