by
Robert G. Wood and John Burghardt
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
for
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
October 31, 1997
CONTENTS
III IDENTIFICATION OF TEENAGE PARENTS
IV SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
V MINOR PARENT LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENT
1 Selected Characteristics of the Four Study States
2 School Attendance Policies in Four States
3 Minor Parent Living Arrangement Policies in Three States
References used in case studies.
We would like to express our appreciation to the many people who contributed to the study and the preparation of this report. Foremost among these are the senior officials in the state welfare agencies of Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and Virginia who agreed to have their agencies participate in the study. We also wish to thank the individuals in each state who facilitated our contacts with state agency staff and local agency staff, and coordinated our visits to their programs: Aldona Vaitkus at the Arizona Department of Economic Security; Nancy Remley and Teri Ellen at the Cal Learn Program, California Department of Social Services; Steve Kane at the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance; and Connie Hall at the Virginia Department of Social Services. Finally, we wish to express our greatest appreciation to the many state agency staff, local agency staff, and staff of contractors who work with them to provide services to teenage parents. These individuals took time from busy schedules to meet with us, answer our questions, and offer their insights on program operations, which form the basis of this report.
We also wish to acknowledge the important role of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services. Karin Martinson, project officer for the study in the design and data collection phases, and Kelleen Kaye, the current project officer, both of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), provided guidance, helped solve problems, and ensured that the report meets ASPE's policy needs. Nancye Campbell at Administration for Families and Children (ACF) and Elisa Koff at ASPE also shared in this guiding role. Yvonne Howard and Judith Reich of ACF assisted with site visits, as did Elisa Koff and Karin Martinson.
Finally several other staff members at Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR) made important contributions. Alan Hershey, Ellen Kisker, and Rebecca Maynard provided review and guidance at various points in the project. Lara Hulsey assisted with data collection at one of the study sites. Courtney Carter provided computer support. Roy Grisham edited the report, and Jill Miller produced it.