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their children, o decrease the teenage pregnancy rate, o decrease juvenile crime, o promote two-parent families and both parents’ role in the family, and o recruit parents and expectant parents to volunteer as mentors to other parents.

Financial eligibility determination is not required for the program. c. Post-Employment Assistance Programs To end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work, MDHS may provide or collaborate with partner agencies to provide post-employment assistance services to current and former TANF recipients who are employed. Where appropriate, case managers will work with employers to ensure reasonable accommodations are provided to employees with disabilities. Individuals with language barriers shall be referred to an English as a Second Language (ESL) activity prior to job placement. Case management will also work with potential employers to ensure reasonable accommodations and language assistance are available at the work site to ensure meaningful access and effective communication. The goals of the initiative are to increase job retention, job advancement, and self-sufficiency for former and current TANF recipients. Families eligible for this program are not required to be TANF eligible but must be at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. d. TANF Prevention/Intervention Program To develop projects in community-based settings to prevent and reduce at-risk behaviors among youth and their families to prevent, or break the cycle of welfare dependence, MDHS may provide services/activities to:

o reduce and prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies, o prevent/reduce substance abuse (use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco products), and o prevent/reduce other behaviors that prevent the attainment of a high school diploma or HSE diploma.

Financial eligibility determination is not required for the program.

e. Afterschool or Summer Recess Program

To reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancy through intensive supervision or afterschool/summer program for non-adjudicated and age appropriate youth during non-school hours when youth are unsupervised and vulnerable. By engaging in activities that create a positive future, youth are enabled to consider how the choices they make today affect their tomorrow. Program activities include but are not limited to:

o academic tutoring o literacy o remediation o financial literacy