2010-2011 Annual Report
Letter from the Director
Dear Friends,
The 2010/2011 School year has been an eventful year for The PACT Program. This year we had the opportunity to support 79 pregnant and parenting teens and their children. What an amazing group of teens. It is so great to see what terrific parents these kids are.
The commitment these teens show is extraordinary. They attend school full–time, care for their babies, do homework, and work part-time jobs. They do all this while maintaining their grades and school attendance. The accomplishments and resiliency of these teens makes me very proud to be a part of this organization.
During the 2010/2011 program year we were fortunate to receive a $25,000 grant from the FISA Foundation and a $27,753 grant from the Workforce Investment Board. These grants allowed our program to provide the same direct services to our students while remaining financially stable.
A great big thank you goes out to our financial supporters, dedicated employees, Board of Directors, students, parents and everyone who has been part of making this year a success. Your support truly makes a difference in many young lives.
-Shelly M. Myers, Director
Program Overview
The Pregnant Adolescent Childcare Training Program is a comprehensive program, serving the academic needs of the pregnant and parenting teenager. It is funded through the Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) grant, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Departments of Public Welfare and Education. Funds are also received from contracted school districts.
The PACT Program represents a combined effort of state and local initiatives, with strong community and school district involvement. Several community agencies, school personnel, teen parents, parents, and students were involved in the initial development of the program, and remain strong supporters.
Through a partnership with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, The PACT Program contracts with 14 of the 17 Westmoreland County School Districts. The program provides support services, case management, and instruction to pregnant and parenting teens enrolled in high school or pursuing a GED.
The goal of the program is to train pregnant and parenting teens to deal with the personal, social, economical, and medical issues that arise as a result of being a teen parent. PACT offers a comprehensive program specifically designed to meet each students individual needs, helping them complete their high school education, gain economic independence, and become the best parents they can be.
Westmoreland County Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
On May 11,2011 the Westmoreland Coalition presented the Annual Teen Seminar in recognition of Teen Pregnancy Prevention month. This year the event was held at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Multi Media Room. We had over 65 high school students from across the county present, along with their chaperones.
Our guest speakers included Alan MacNamara from the Dept of Health (STD’s and Prevention), Stephanie Corey from Planned Parenthood (Birth Control/Family Planning) and Special Agent Patrick Howley from the FBI who discussed Internet Safety, Social Networking sites, online Child pornography and online predators and the specific laws that are associated with each of these topics.
Lunch was provided by the Coalition and we received food at a discounted cost from Chik-Fil– A.
It was an excellent turnout and there was valuable information presented.
Highlights/Special Events
Idlewild July 21, 2010 The weather was great and a wonderful day was had by our attendees at the annual Idlewild Day Picnic. This year we provided each student with 2 free tickets to the park and a limited amount of Fun Money to help them with expenses while there. Additional tickets were offered at a reduced price so that their friends and families could join them. We reserved a Pavilion for our guests so that they could utilize it at their convenience throughout the day.
The Pittsburgh Zoo June 17, 2011 150 students and their families joined us for this event. Admission was covered by the Tickets for Kids organization which allowed us to offer such a wonderful opportunity to so many of our families. We had a wonderul day to enjoy the sights and sounds of so many beautiful animals. The PACT Program provided bus transportation.
Senior Dinner This year we returned to the Lamplighter restaurant to celebrate our fabulous Seniors. We had 14 Seniors and their families join us for dinner, a slide show and recognition of their accomplishments.
Christmas Parties Our annual Christmas parties were held on December 8, 2010 at Pitzer’s Townhouse in Jeannette and December 9, 2010 at in New Kensington. We provided dinner and photos with Santa Claus for all the children. Each child received a book from Santa. Both parties were well attended. What a great way to get in to the holiday spirit.
Childbirth Classes In the Spring, we were able to offer childbirth classes to those students who were pregnant, as well as their significant others or support people. Dinner was provided to the 12 who attended. The instructor was Kerri Brooks, RN., who is a nurse Supervisor on the Labor & Delivery Unit at Magee Woman’s hospital in Pittsburgh.
2011 Senior Statistics
A goal of our program is to help prepare our students for the future. We work with our students to help them find the best career path for them. We research careers options with them and help them find and enroll in Post Secondary Education, we also help our students secure a job by teaching interview skills, resumes writing, and job retention. The PACT program achieved a 97% Graduation rate in 2011
Graduating Senior’s Plans
WCCC 17 Students enrolled 4 yr College/University 2 Students Military 2 student Work Force (FT/PT) 15 students
Vocational/Tech School 4 Students Career Training Program 1 student Undecided 4 students Marriage/Stay at Home 2 Students
Grade Point Average/Attendance Information 10/11
Over the course of the year, our average monthly attendance was 90%
G.P.A’s 75% of students had a GPA above a 2.0, of those students, 62% maintained a 3.0 or higher
Fatherhood Initiative-EFI
The EFI Program has continued successfully with Anthony Pugliese as our EFI Case Manager. Anthony continues to act as not only a case manager to these young father's but also in the capacity as their mentor.
During the weekly instruction at our participating school districts, the teen father’s are eligible to attend and learn the same information as our teen mother’s. During some of those sessions, Anthony also covered an important component on anger management and it how relates to healthy relationships in school and at home. This was in conjunction with his ongoing work with the Men Against Sexual Violence Task Force in Westmoreland County. We had — EFI participants during the 2010-2011 School year.
Career Directions
During July 2010, 11 students participated in a 2 week long summer program focused on Career Development. Students were introduced to the 40 Developmental Assets and how these assets can make a difference in their children's lives.
The students worked hard to develop a resume’ and were taught proper interviewing skills and tips on how to secure employment. Speakers from different industries attended and talked about their jobs and what type of skills or training is needed to work in their field.
Students also participated in “Street Law Corner”. Marla Blum, Esq. was present to answer questions at one of three sessions addressing rights and responsibilities of teen parents in the job market as well as their personal lives. Students participated in a life skills day. They did a budget and time management activity and they shopped and cooked, A representative from Dollar Bank talked to students about opening bank accounts and avoiding bad credit habits.
In addition to the 2 week session, additional instruction throughout the school year was given to help the students continue to develop a career plan. Each of the participating students received a stipend.
This program was made possible through a WIB grant from the Westmoreland Fayette Workforce Investment Board.
This program was made possible thru the Workforce Investment Board.
Cooperating School Districts
Category BreakdownInstruction & Support: Instruction, Pupil Services & Staff SupportBenefits: Medical Insurance, Workers Comp., & TaxesProfessional & Technical Services: Consulting Fees, Printing & Employee TrainingPurchased Property & Services: Copier, Office Maintenance, Rent & UtilitiesOther Purchased Services: Conferences, Liability Insurance, Mileage, Tutor/GED, Student Transportation, Advertising, Communication, Teaching Supplies & PostageSupplies & Student Incentives: Supplies, Incentives, Meals & Seminars
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: Julie Cawoski, ParentWISE Program of Family Services of Western PA VICE PRES.: Clentin Martin , Retired Educator, Founding Member TREASURER:Rachel Hoza CPA SECRETARY: Rosemary Lewis, Founding Member
Josie Giacomo, CCIS Kelli Belanger, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Michele Altieri, Valley High School Tawnna Swab, Seton Hill Child Services Kathie Harrison, Hempfield School District
Susan McFarland, Coordinator Mary Collins, Instructor Michelle Smith, Case Manager Robyn Poulich, Case Manager Anthony Pugliese, EFI Case Manager Margaret Lock, Office Assistant
Cooperating Agencies Adagio Health Foundation Communities in Schools Seton Hill Child care Services Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland Child Care Information Services CWC & TC EWC & TC Early Head Start Magee Women’s Hospital (Childbirth classes) NWC& TC Penn State Cooperative Extension Private Industry Council PA CareerLink PA Department of Health PA Dept of Public Welfare PA Attorney Generals Office ParentWISE Program of Family Services of Western PA Private Industry Council Seton Hill Child Services The Blackburn Center Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7 Westmoreland Human Opportunities Westmoreland Women & Children’s Center/Excela Health
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Attendance
