The principal goal of all ELECT programs is to assist eligible expecting and parenting youth to break the cycle of welfare dependency by remaining in school, maintaining regular attendance, obtaining a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate and securing post-graduation employment, education or training that will help them become successful parents and self-sufficient adults.
In addition to promoting self-sufficiency, ELECT programs provide participants with pregnancy prevention information, guidance and services to reduce the incidence of secondary pregnancies in youth. ELECT programs also provide services to promote the importance of healthy parental relationships and encourage the significance of fathers in their children’s lives.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Department of Human Services and Center for Schools and Communities work together to provide training and technical assistance to the 25 ELECT programs so they can build and strengthen their capacity to support the teens they serve.