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26 Section 7 - FAMILY STABILIZATION INITIATIVES

DWS has several initiatives to support TANF purposes 3 and 4 to prevent and reduce out- of-wedlock pregnancies and encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. These include contracted services with local and state governments, private and non-profit entities and are targeted to assist low-income, at-risk individuals and families throughout the state.

Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy Prevention Out-of-Wedlock pregnancy prevention TANF funds statewide afterschool program grants to organizations serving youth ages 13 to 18. Programs utilize evidence-based curriculum and practices that focus on out-of-wedlock pregnancy, as well as project-based learning to provide high quality afterschool programming with a focus on intentional prevention, life skills education, academic support and enrichment program components.

All programs provide prevention and life skills education for male and female students focusing on specific components that can include addiction prevention, career exploration, college readiness, healthy interpersonal relationships, healthy lifestyles, high-school drop- out prevention, financial literacy, physical activity and nutrition, pregnancy sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, suicide prevention and violence and gang prevention. Grant opportunities include the program quality enhancement and teen after school prevention grants. DWS also grants funds to community programs that focus on prevention efforts for out-of-wedlock pregnancies. These efforts include classes and workshops that teach healthy relationships, risks of pre-marital sexual activity, and prevention efforts against sexual violence and domestic violence. These programs reach state and local law enforcement officials, the education system, community partners, and relevant counseling services to educate and train the community, including men, on the problem of statutory rape and other acts of sexual violence.

Parenting and Relationship Skills Parenting and relationship workshops focus on helping individuals build healthy relationships along with learning parenting and relationship skills, communication strategies, premarital, marriage and family counseling and mediation services to maintain or form two-parent families. Various workshops utilize evidence based curriculum focusing on relationship education for singles, individuals in coupled relationships and parents.

Youth Mentoring Programs offering youth mentoring services provide one-on-one or group education and training to prepare youth with essential life skills to live and participate independently and effectively in the community. Programs focus on mentoring, motivating, and building self-