Page 29

Delaware TANF State Plan 10-1-23 to 09-30-26 Page 29 of 59

Delaware has undertaken, through the Alliance on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (AAPP), a grassroots community and media outreach campaign to reduce the number of teenagers who are sexually active, become pregnant and become teen parents. AAPP works directly with parents in this initiative to improve communication between parents and children around sexuality and pregnancy prevention. In addition, AAPP provides preventive education and distributes information on preventing teen pregnancy, utilizing a number of kinds of interventions. For example, two full-time community educators visit schools, community centers, churches, and camps to provide workshops and training to parents and children around sexuality and teen pregnancy prevention. AAPP serves as a resource for the community.

Delaware's TANF program provides a positive incentive to teenagers to graduate high school by age 19 by awarding a one-time $350 bonus. This one-time payment is MOE-funded. Families with teens who are eligible for this bonus must be receiving TANF benefits. A family's income must meet the standards described on page 6 for the family to be financially eligible for TANF. DSS staff must verify that the student has graduated from high school before issuing the bonus payment. Additionally, TANF requires teenage mothers currently on welfare to live with their parent(s) or a responsible adult, stay in school, immunize their child(ren), and participate in parenting education. Delaware has expanded its youth employment program provide after school and summer employment.

A family's income must be less than 185% of the applicable standard of need for the family to be financially eligible for TANF.

Jobs for Delaware Graduates

The Jobs for Delaware Graduates (JDG) program provides services to needy children attending middle schools in Delaware with the goal of reducing school dropout rates, keeping children in their homes and the community, and reducing out of wedlock and teen pregnancies. Delaware uses federal TANF funds and/or State MOE (Maintenance of Effort) funds to fund the program. The JDG program provides a nationally recognized curriculum. The curriculum supports short and long-term goal setting, academic achievement, acquisition of life skills, and work skill development. Eligibility criteria is needy families with minor children who are eligible to receive DSS benefits or up to 200% of the federal poverty limit, which can include non-custodial low-income parents. This program supports TANF purpose 1 and 3