Appendix F: KEYS Program Description

Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) is a collaborative program between the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. The program is designed to help TANF individuals and a limited number of SNAP individuals connect and pursue post-secondary education at one of the 14 community colleges.

KEYS was developed in response to growing research that shows that people who earn a career-specific credit or non-credit bearing certificate or an associate’s degree are better able to get jobs at family-sustaining wages with benefits and have greater opportunities for advancement. Educational studies show that individuals who earn a career-specific credit or non-credit bearing certificate or associate’s degree earn more money after graduation than those who have not attended.

Credit or non-credit bearing certificate or associate’s degree programs must be career specific and support the student in gaining employment after graduation in that particular field of study. Programs of general studies, such as liberal arts, will not be supported and cannot be approved for TANF on the AMR or for SNAP on the Employment Development Plan (EDP).

KEYS student facilitators at these colleges will provide services and support necessary to assist students in completing educational activities. The services are designed to help them remain connected to the community college with the intent of graduating with a career-specific credit or non-credit bearing certificate or associate’s degree.

All pre-60-month (1,830 days) applicants and TANF recipients who have an approved AMR stating they plan to attend or are presently enrolled at one of Pennsylvania’s fourteen community colleges are eligible to participate in the KEYS community college program. Once enrolled in community college, TANF students are required to participate in KEYS. SNAP applicants and recipients may participate in KEYS if there are slots available .

Special allowances for supportive services (SPALs) are available to students when needed and required to support student's participation in school.

For more information about KEYS refer to the KEYS Guidelines.