Section 409-I. Short title; legislative findings; purpose

1. This title
  shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "teenage services
  act".
    2. The legislature finds  that  the  rising  incidence  of  adolescent
  pregnancy  and  teenage  parenthood  is  the subject of a widespread and
  growing concern. As a result  of  early  pregnancy,  the  attainment  of
  needed  education  and  job  skills is often curtailed. Coupled with the
  added responsibilities accompanying parenthood, these young families are
  often locked into long term public dependency.  Studies  have  confirmed
  that  up  to sixty percent of the current aid to families with dependent
  children cases in  New  York  state  are  headed  by  mothers  who  were
  teenagers  when  they  gave  birth  to  their  first child. In fact, the
  predominant cause of welfare dependency in New York state  may  well  be
  due  to  the  result of teenage pregnancy and adolescent motherhood. The
  objective of this title is to increase the potential of these youths  to
  become  financially  independent by helping the teenager to complete her
  education, and receive sufficient manpower skills for  participation  in
  the labor market.
    The  department of social services is not only statutorily required to
  provide  financial  support  to  these  dependent  teenagers  and  their
  children,   but  also  has  equal  responsibility  to  provide  personal
  counselling and support services needed to strengthen  family  life  and
  provide  opportunities for economic independence. In order to facilitate
  accessibility to the full range  of  needed  services,  case  management
  responsibilities should be assigned to appropriate local social services
  staff   or  to  authorized  agencies  outside  of  the  department.  Any
  reluctance or refusal on the part of the teenager to  participate  in  a
  program  of  services  shall not carry any threat of fiscal sanctions as
  regards public assistance benefits. In the event that a teenager refuses
  to participate, it shall be  the  responsibility  of  the  local  social
  services  district  to make continued and repeated efforts to engage the
  teenager in a  counselling  relationship  which  has  as  its  result  a
  mutually  agreed  upon  service  plan which meets the objectives of this
  title.
    Therefore, this title provides for the establishment of a service case
  management system in  order  to  strengthen  the  service  role  of  the
  department  of social services. Local social services districts shall be
  required  to  separate  public  assistance  cases   involving   pregnant
  adolescents  and teenage mothers under eighteen years of age, and assign
  ongoing case management services for such caseloads to appropriate staff
  responsible  for  service  delivery.  By   defining   such   specialized
  caseloads,  personal counselling and provision of needed community-based
  support services will be facilitated. Such  case  management  activities
  shall also include the follow-up and evaluation of services rendered.
    The  enactment  of  the  provisions  of  this title shall maximize the
  effectiveness,  efficiency  and  accountability  of   support   services
  provided  on  behalf  of  pregnant adolescents and teenage parents under
  eighteen years of age, thereby reducing the long-term  dependency  needs
  of this youthful population.