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Learning, Earning, and Parenting (LEAP) is an Ontario Works program for parents age 16 to 25 receiving Employment and Financial Support who have not completed high school. The LEAP program helps parents complete high school, access child care and parenting programs, and obtain the supports they need to reach their goals. Participation in the program is mandatory for parents under age 18 receiving Employment and Financial Support. Parents under age 25 are encouraged to participate. All participants must meet continuing Ontario Works eligibility requirements and attend school regularly.
Education opens doors to job opportunities. With the pressures of parenting, school can become a low priority. LEAP helps open doors to future job opportunities by helping young parents stay in school or alternative educational programs (for high school equivalency), and by providing them with the supports they need, including:
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Extra money for school supplies, clothes, and class trips
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Providing supports for participants with English language, literacy, or numeracy problems, as well as learning or other disabilities
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Child care with no user fees while parents are in school giving parents a chance to do homework and study.
With an education and job experience, young parents are more likely to be self-sufficient. Parents need extra supports to juggle staying in school, accessing jobs, and taking care of their child(ren).
LEAP helps young parents develop pre-employment skills and become job-ready. It promotes participation in school co-op programs, youth apprenticeships, and other work experience programs, such as Community Placement, as well as part-time and summer employment. It also helps participants prepare for the transition from high school to employment or to further education. LEAP provides additional child care support so young parents can work.
Learning good parenting skills is important to a child's development. Supporting and aiding young parents as they learn how to parent benefits their children and themselves.
LEAP provides the opportunity for teen parents to participate in group sessions, the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program, one-on-one coaching, mutual support networks, mentoring programs, and drop-in programs. The information and support provided will result in healthier families and children.
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