California School Age Families Education Program
(Cal-SAFE)
About the Program
The California School Age Families Education Program (Cal-SAFE) is a school-based comprehensive, integrated, community-linked program that services pregnant and parenting teens and their children. Cal-SAFE was created in 1998 when the State Legislature consolidated three existing programs - the School Age Parent and Infant Development Program (SAPID), the Pregnant Minors Program (PMP). Cal-SAFE helps school districts and community based organizations develop programs and support systems for teen parents and their children.
In 1985, the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools began serving teen parents and their children at Gateway Community School. Through Cal-SAFE, the program has expanded to include incarcerated youth and teen parents attending local school districts throughout Ventura County.
Student Eligibility
Cal-SAFE is a voluntary program for males and females who are school age parents (expecting a baby or already have a baby). Teens must attend high school or middle school, enroll in the program before their 18th birthday, and be working toward a diploma or equivalency. Students may remain in the program until high school graduation or one semester past their 19th birthday. Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may receive services until age 22 years.
Children of Cal-SAFE teens are eligible for services from birth through five years (0-5), or entry into kindergarten, whichever comes first.
Cal-SAFE Program Goals
A significant number of students who need services will be identified and served.
Students will receive services from enrollment through high school graduation.
Students will graduate or demonstrate progress toward graduation.
Graduates will transition into post-secondary education or employment.
Students and their children will not become welfare dependent.
Students will demonstrate effective parenting skills.
Pregnant students will not have low birth weight babies.
Students will delay repeat pregnancies until their education is completed.
Children of enrolled teens will receive free childcare and development services.
Children of enrolled teens will have individual learning goals and health assessments.
Children of enrolled teen parents will have enhanced school readiness.
Services to Teens
Academic and personal counseling
Academic support and youth development services
Career education
Case management
Enrichment activities
Meal supplements for pregnant & nursing students
Outreach and education about Title IX rights
Peer support groups
Prenatal and parenting skills education
Referrals to community agencies
School safety and violence prevention education
School to home transportation
Support and referrals for family members.
Services to Babies
Age appropriate activities for young children
Childcare staff is college trained
Childcare centers meet state licensing standards
Childcare centers located on or near school campus
Health screenings
Immunization reviews
Individual learning goals
Individual needs/service plans
Parent-child activities
Quarterly developmental profiles
Referral to community resources for health needs.
All Services are FREE to participants
Serving teens from
Camarillo
Fillmore
Moorpark
Ojai
Oxnard
Piru
Port Hueneme
Santa Paula
Simi Valley
Thousand Oaks
Ventura
Childcare Centers
Camarillo Fillmore Santa Paula
Contact Information
For more information about the California School Age Families Education Program (Cal-SAFE), contact:
California Department of Education
Cal-SAFE Office
Phone: (916) 319-0914
www.cde.ca.gov/ls/cg/pp/
Ventura County Office of Education
Cary Dritz, Associate Superintendent
Student Services
Phone: (805) 383-1920
cadritz@vcoe.org
Joe Mendoza, Director
Special Populations Education Support
Phone: (805) 388-4416
jmendoza@vcoe.org
Kathleen M. Auth, Coordinator
Cal-SAFE Program
Phone: (805) 388-4456
kauth@vcoe.org