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who need services and to provide those services in a manner that will promote economic self - <br />sufficiency by the time they reach 20 years of age or they no longer qualify for benefits. <br />The emphasis for teen parents who are 18 or 19 and qualify for Work First benefits will be to <br />obtain living -wage employment before their.benefits expire. This will probably involve skills <br />training and, for some, completing a high school equivalency. The program for teen parents who <br />are 17 or younger will emphasize completing their public school education, gaining marketable <br />job skills and planning for economic independence before they or their parents lose benefits. <br />Services for all teen parents will also focus on avoiding another pregnancy. Because health care <br />is vitally important for infants, children and teens, a health care outcome goal is included. <br />County Outcomes: <br />1. 60% of teen parents are job ready by the time they leave Work First. <br />Indicators: Teen parent completes high school, or obtains an ABE (Adult Basic <br />Education) certificate or a GED (General Education Degree). <br />Teen parent has no repeat pregnancy <br />Teen parent has a drivers license <br />Teen parent is enrolled in skills training or job readiness program. <br />Teen parent has adequate child care arrangement <br />2. 70% of teen parents and their children have their overall health needs met. <br />Indicators: Child is receiving regular well -child care. <br />Child is up to date on immunizations. <br />Teen has primary care provider <br />Teen parent receives regular health care. <br />There are no incidents of child abuse or neglect <br />Teen is enrolled in WIC <br />Father, if present, provides emotional, physical and financial support. <br />Barriers to achieving these outcomes. <br />• Serious educational deficits. <br />• Lack of access to community college or skills building opportunities. <br />• Lack of living wage jobs for person with high school education. <br />• Lack of child care during non - traditional hours. <br />• Lack of transportation to school, training, child care, and employment. <br />• Lack of affordable housing <br />• Inadequate parenting skills. <br />• Lack of resources, including money and social support, to leave an abusive situation. <br />Strategies for Teen Parents <br />• Adopt a Case Manager System <br />• Model the Adolescent Parenting Program <br />W] <br />31 <br />