Last school year, six teenage parents whose children were enrolled in our Cal-SAFE Early Head Start program received their high school diploma through ACOE’s Fruitvale Academy High School.
California School Age Families Education (Cal-SAFE) is a program for pregnant and parenting teen parents operated by the Alameda County Office of Education. The Unity Council operates an onsite Early Head Start program for children of teen parents attending Fruitvale Academy. While in school, their child is cared for in a nurturing, play-based learning environment.
“The services we provide are of vital importance for teen parents and their children,” said Luis Arenas, Director of Children & Family Services at The Unity Council. “Being a teen parent and in high school is a very challenging experience; we aim to offer teen parents an opportunity to continue their education in an environment where their kids are near ad well taken care of, which creates the support system they need to achieve their academic goals.”
As of today there are 18 pregnant and parenting teens ages 14-18 enrolled in the Cal-SAFE Early Head Start program. Pregnant and parenting teens work with a Family Advocate to take advantage of resources that can help their family achieve long-term financial and educational success.
