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Learning, Earning & Parenting (LEAP) |
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Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP), is a targeted
strategy of the Ontario Works Employment Assistance Program
that focuses on teen parents between the ages of 16 and 21 and
their children. The program provides young parents in receipt
of Ontario Works assistance with the supports they require to
finish high school improve parenting skills and achieve
economic self-sufficiency. This program is designed to
positively impact children’s growth and development.
What is LEAP?
Learning:
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Promotes High School
graduation through attendance at high school or
alternatives to the mainstream system such as adult
education programs. |
Earning:
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Promotes
employment support activities to assist young
parents in developing employment skills and become
job ready. |
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Promotes
participation in school co-op programs, youth
apprenticeship ad other work experience programs, such
as job shadowing, as well as part-time and summer
employment. |
Parenting and Child Development:
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Promote
children’s growth and development by supporting
parents to become more effective caregivers and
educators. Young, inexperienced parents often lack
parenting skills, and many do not have suitable role
models from whom they can learn effective parenting
behaviour. |
Who must participate?
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Parents
aged 16 and 17 who have not completed high school
and who are Ontario Works participants or part of a
benefit unit receiving financial assistance under
Ontario Works. |
Who may participate?
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Parents
aged 18 to 21 who have not completed high school and
who are Ontario Works participants or part of a
benefit unit receiving financial assistance under
Ontario Works. |
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Parents
aged 16 to 21 who have not completed high school and
are receiving financial assistance directly or as
part of a benefit unit under the Ontario Disability
Support Program. |
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Single
parents who are not living on their own and
receiving benefits only for their child (ren) under
Ontario Works. |
Supports available to LEAP
participants:
LEAP participants have access to other
financial supports to support their attendance at school and
parenting and earning activities. These supports may include:
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Transportation
costs to get to and from school, childcare,
parenting and earning activities. |
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Approved
childcare costs. |
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The
cost of parenting activities. |
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School
supplies & clothing. |
Participation Incentives:
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Financial
incentives to those recipients who have regular
attendance at an education program and are
successfully progressing in their studies |
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High
School (or equivalency) and successfully complete a
minimum of 35 hours of parenting courses - either a
$500.00 bursary to be used for their own
post-secondary education or training, or $500.00 to
be held in trust for their children’s education. |
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