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Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined in this State Plan, who have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. The parent or responsible adult must be a current or former TANF recipient and must be working a number of hours established by the Department as a means to support the parent’s transition to self-sufficiency. The Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program provides high-quality early childhood education to Pennsylvania children in diverse settings, ranging from school-based programs, Keystone STARS 3 and 4 child care centers, private academic preschool and Head Start agencies. Eligibility does not exceed 300 percent of FPIG. This initiative meets TANF purpose number two — end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage. The Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) Initiative The ELECT initiative is funded through TANF federal funds. July 1, 2012, the ELECT initiative became a joint venture between the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Office of Child Development (OCDEL). Effective July 1, 2015, the Office of Income Maintenance (OIM) acquired oversight of the ELECT program and will be working collaboratively with PDE to manage the program. Funds are now transferred from DHS to PDE through a Memorandum of Understanding for the administration of this program. The ELECT initiative is designed to assist parents of minor children, including expectant parents, to return to or remain in school, prevent repeat pregnancy, maintain attendance, obtain their high school diploma or GED, develop responsible parenting skills, and secure post-graduation employment, education, or training that will help them become successful parents and self- sufficient adults. Acknowledging paternity is not required to participate. To be eligible for ELECT, an applicant must: 1. Be a student at a high school, cyber school, or high school equivalency program served by ELECT; AND

2. Be a custodial or non-custodial parent of a minor child; AND

3. Have gross earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. NOTE: The student does not have to be employed to qualify for services. The income of the student’s parent(s) is not used to calculate eligibility; AND 4. Not be participating in any employment or training program funded through DHS, including the job retention periods required under those programs.