Annual Report

2006-2007 Annual Report

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.

 he program provides support services, case management, and instruction to pregnant and parenting teens

In partnership with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, The PACT Program contracts with 14 of the 17 Westmoreland County School Districts.  T 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 student’s individual needs, helping him or her complete their high school education, gain economic independence, and become the best parents they can be.

Highlights/Special Events

Idlewild Each year, we sponsor a picnic at Idlewild Park for our participants and their children and families. We provided two admission tickets as well as fun money to be used towards expenses in the park.  This day gives our staff an opportunity to spend time with our students and their families in a relaxed atmosphere. This year’s event was held on July 19, 2006 with approximately 40 students in attendance.

Fall Seminar Our Fall seminar for PACT students was held on October 31, 2006 at the Central Westmoreland Career & Technical Center in New Stanton.  A speaker from Penn State Cooperative Extension covered  “Nutrition for Mom and Baby” and “ How is smoking affecting my child?” Rebecca Harvey, from Seton Hill University discussed “Healthy Relationships and Three Generational living” and finally, we had employees of Unison Health Plan come and discuss the benefits and incentives to choosing their health plan and covered questions in regards to health care coverage.

Pittsburgh Zoo June 22, 2007 marked the day for our annual event at the Pittsburgh Zoo.  The PACT Program provides free admission to the Zoo through our partnership with Tickets for Kids to our PACT students, their children, and families.  Transportation is also provided via rented buses.  Each student receives “Zoo Bucks” to help defer costs of food and souvenirs.  150 people attended this function.

2007 Senior Statistics

We served 34 seniors during the 2006-2007 school year.  32 of those students completed their high school diplomas.

 Post Graduation Plans

 •10 students were currently employed full time.

 •3 students will be attending a 4-year college or University in the fall,

 •13 will enroll in a 2-year degree program or attend WCCC.

 •1 Student enlisted in the Army National Guard

 •4 Students will attend a Technical/ Training school or earn a certificate

 •1 student remains undecided.  

Among extra curricular activities and clubs, students participated in the   Skills USA @ the CWC& TC, softball, and volunteer junior firefighter.

To honor our graduates, a Senior Dinner was held in Delmont at the Lamplighter Restaurant on Tuesday, June 12, 2007.  We invited all graduating seniors and their parents as well as PACT Board Members and Staff.  48 people were in attendance.  A slide show highlighted the evening, Diane Shola, a CCIS Staff member, and former teen parent, serviced as our keynote speaker.

Fatherhood Initiative

The Early Fatherhood Initiative (EFI) Program served 16 fathers during the 2006-2007 school year.  Seven of those fathers graduated from high school and have exited the program.  Five fathers will be returning for the 2007-2008 school year.  During this academic year, four fatherhood group meetings were held in addition to the two Seminar days.  Sessions included discussions of labor and delivery, co-parenting, child support, and paternity establishment, as well as career exploration. 

The big activity for the EFI participants his year was to design T-shirt and have it printed.  Our students worked hard and spent a lot of time to develop the concept.  On the front of the shirt read  “the best life sentence ever served” with a picture of a young man in jail and the date of design as the prison number. On the back of the shirt was the word Fatherhood with the picture of a young man holding the hand of a child.  Every father in the program received a shirt. 

Career Directions 2007

Our Vision is to instill in our teen parents a  good work ethic and the vision to continue to work toward higher goals.

Our Mission – The career planning and evaluation project enhances the capacity for teen parents to attend post secondary training and to become employed.

This 2-week program focused on helping teens discover a possible career path.  Activities included, the Keys2Work program, Internet searches of career explorations, self-directed testing to explore likes and dislikes, guest speakers in the core job clusters, and field trips to different businesses.  Students developed resumes’, practiced filling out job applications, improved written and verbal communication skills; as well as, learned how to conduct themselves in an interview.

Students participated in mock interviews by wearing appropriate attire, presenting their resume, and practicing their communication skills with a live interviewer.  Students received a written critique of their performance.

13 Students participated in the Career Directions Program during the summer of 2007.  Each of these students received (2) $150.00 stipends upon completing various requirements throughout the school year. The requirements included completing math and reading pretests, completing research on at least 3 careers, completing 7.5 hours of Keys2Work assignments, and attending 6 days of The Career Directions workshop.  In addition, throughout the school year, they must complete an additional 7.5 hours of Keys2Work assignments totaling 15 hours, and take a written assessment at the end of the school year. This assessment will further measure the students’ math and reading skills improvement.  Students also received $ 50.00 towards the purchase of an appropriate interview outfit.

Grade Point average/ Attendance Information

As per our ELECT Funding requirements, students who participate in the program must maintain a 2.0 GPA and attend school at least 80% of each month. 

For the school year 2006-2007

     •68% of students had a GPA of 2.0 or higher

     •32% of students had a GPA below a 2.0

     •19% of students maintained the same GPA as the previous year

     •40% of students improved their GPA from the previous year

     •27% of students showed a decrease in their GPAs from the previous year.

2006-2007 Attendance Rate:  85.32%

Partnering Agencies

Adagio Health Foundation                                                Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland

Communities in Schools                                                   Child Care Information Services

CWC & TC                                                       Early Head Start

EWC & TC                                                        Magee Women’s Hospital (Childbirth classes)

Mercy Jeannette Hospital                                     NWC& TC

ParentWISE, Inc                                                               PA Attorney Generals Office                           

PA Department of Health                                      PA Department of Public Welfare                                         

PA Careerlink                                                      Penn State Cooperative Extension                      

Private Industry Council                                      Seton Hill Child Care Services                          

The Blackburn Center                                          Westmoreland Intermediate Unit # 7              Westmoreland Human Opportunities                                                                               Westmoreland Women and Children's Center- Excela Health

Westmoreland County Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

The Coalition continues to follow their mission statement, which states, “To coordinate a comprehensive Teen Pregnancy Prevention effort throughout Westmoreland County.”  Each year in the fall we have sponsored a speaking seminar for adult professionals and social service agencies. This year’s event was held on Tuesday October 11, 2006 and was entitled “ Risks and Consequences”. This function was the 3rd Annual “Current Trends in Adolescent Sexual Behavior” series, and focused on Crimes against Children, Online safety, Internet predators, and Cyber bullying.    Denise Holtz, from the FBI, Pittsburgh Division presented an excellent and comprehensive look into Crimes against Children., while David Frattare, from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office covered the Internet safety, predators and cyber bullying topics. Susan McFarland, our Coalition chair provided all attendees with an update on State and Local Pregnancy Statistics as well as the State and Local coalitions. 120 professionals were in attendance.

On April 24, 2007 in recognition of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention day, the Coalition sponsored an all day event held at Westmoreland County Community College. All Middle School and High School Students in Westmoreland County were invited to attend this free informative seminar designed to address important issues teens face today.  Information was presented about media and teen sexuality, birth control, teen reproductive rights and applicable state laws, STD’s and preventing sexual violence breakfast and lunch.  Dr. Thaddeus Coreno, from St Vincent College, Judy Svidron, from Woman’s Care Services of Excela Health, and Dottie Craig of the Blackburn Center (MASV Project) presented. There were 130 students in attendance.

Category Breakdown

Instruction & Support:

Instruction, Pupil Services & Staff Support

Benefits:

Medical Insurance, Workers Comp. & Taxes

Professional & Technical Services:

Consulting Fees, Printing & Employee Training

Purchased Property & Services:

Copier, Office Maintenance, Rent & Utilities

Other Purchased Services:

Conferences, Liability Insurance, Mileage, Tutor/GED, Student Transportation,

Advertising, Communication, Teaching Supplies & Postage

Supplies & Student Incentives:

Supplies, Incentives, Meals& Seminars