Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) Program

By responding to the specific needs of pregnant and parenting youth, the Berks County Intermediate Unit’s Pregnant and Parenting Teen Program, Project ELECT (Education Leading to Employment and Career Training)and ELECT Fatherhood Initiative help young people to raise healthy children and become better parents.

Program Goals:

• These programs teach skills that lead to success in school and economic self-sufficiency.
• Teens receive assistance in obtaining their high school diplomas or GEDs.
• They learn effective parenting skills and are encouraged to become responsible adults and informed parents.

Eligibility Requirements:

• A parent or expectant parent
• Under age of 22   
• Seeking a High School education or GED
• Living within Berks County
• Earning less than 23.5% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines

Services Provided: 

• Individual and group supportive services
• Vocational and career exploration
• Healthcare and nutrition education
• Child development and parenting education
• Child care and transportation referrals
• Assistance with transition to employment, further education, or training after high school
• Home visitations
• Activities, workshops, and field trips
• GED and academic support
• Budgeting and family planning education
• Case management services
• Support services during the summer

An Initiative of the PA Departments of Public Welfare & Education

Funding:
This program is funded through the Berks County Intermediate Unit.

Referrals should be made to:
Community Prevention Partnership
  For Fathers -
       Johnny Diaz            
  For Mothers -
        Luz Shade
  (610) 376-6988
 
  BCIU
  Christina DeJesus-
  chrjej@berksiu.org
  (610) 987-8629
  Lisa Jims-
  lisjim@berksiu.org
  (610)987-8628
  1111 Commons Blvd.
  P.O. Box 16050
  Reading, PA 19612-6050
  www.berksiu.org