The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding changes to the Cal-Learn program. Cal-Learn is a statewide program for parenting and pregnant teens who are in the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. It is aimed at helping them graduate high school or its equivalent and forming healthy families. The program provides intensive case management, supportive services, and bonuses to encourage school attendance and good grades. To be eligible, recipients must be under the age of 19, live with their children, be in high school or an equivalent, and not be in foster care.
As of January 1, 2024, participants in the Cal-Learn program are no longer subject to a noncompliance process and financial sanctions within the program. Cal-Learn participants no longer face $100 sanctions for inadequate school progress or failing to submit report cards.
Exempt or deferred individuals who meet satisfactory progress standards in school are eligible for Cal-Learn bonuses. Participants must submit their report cards within 10 working days of them being released to receive bonuses. There are no changes to the time frame for issuing bonuses.
Participants who are in a situation or crisis that is destabilizing their family are eligible for a Cal-Learn exemption. A participant is experiencing a crisis or situation that destabilizes their family including but not limited to a risk of experiencing homelessness, lack of safety due to domestic violence, untreated or undertreated behavioral/mental needs, and the misuse of controlled substances or alcohol can now request a Cal-Learn exemption. Counties must accept a sworn statement as verification for exemptions. Cal-Learn exemptions must now be subject to annual redetermination, or only if the participant requested it earlier. Only deferred participants are entitled to continued case management while neither deferred nor exempt individuals qualify for Cal-Learn supportive services.
When a participant qualifies for a Cal-Learn exemption due to a situation or crisis destabilizing their family, they are eligible for Family Stabilization (FS), Homeless Assistance (HA), and the Housing Support Program (HSP), as appropriate. A family does not need to be exempt from Cal-Learn to access these programs.
As of January 1, 2024, counties must grant good cause to any Welfare-to-Work participant who is pregnant or parenting, participating in an education activity, and the education activity but who does not provide pregnancy and parenting accommodations in violation of Title IX or California Education Code Sections 66252, 66271.9, or 66281.7. Accommodations include excused absences for pregnancy, childbirth, or attending a child’s medical appointments. A participant’s verbal attestation is sufficient to establish good cause.
Currently, all adults are subject to the 60-month time-on-aid limit with certain exceptions and exemptions, but this does not apply to children. Any month an individual is eligible for, participating in, or exempt from Cal-Learn does not count towards the CalWORKs 60-month time-on-aid limit. This exemption does not apply to 19-year-olds who are eligible but not voluntarily participating in Cal-Learn. (ACL 24-74, October 25, 2024.)