(a) Counties shall arrange for the provision of case management services and counseling to teenage parents to assist their participation in the Cal-Learn Program. Case management services shall include all of the following:

1. (1) Designing a realistic plan that assists in maximizing the ability of each client to graduate from high school or its equivalent and includes referrals to services that:

   1. (A) Reduce the incidence of maternal and child morbidity and mortality, including the incidence of low birthweight infants.
   2. (B) Enhance the teen’s parenting skills.
   3. (C) Facilitate an effective ongoing relationship between the teenage parent, the noncustodial parent, and the child where it is in the best interest of the child and the teenage parent.
   4. (D) Assess the suitability of the teenage parent’s living situation, including, but not limited to, the physical and emotional health and safety of the teenage parent and the child.
2. (2) Providing referrals to appropriate community services needed to assist the teenage parent’s return to school.
3. (3) Monitoring each client’s progress and making the necessary changes to improve the individual’s program.

4. (4)

   1. (A) Acting as a counselor, colleague, and role model so that each teenage parent has someone to trust and to turn to for advice, guidance, and ideas.
   2. (B) Case managers should be prepared to provide intensive counseling during all phases of a teenage parent’s progress through the program.
5. (5) Ensuring that each teenage parent understands the program requirements and the consequences of not making adequate or satisfactory progress required under this article.

(c)

1. (1) Case managers assigned to assist teenage parents shall possess an expertise in understanding the education, training, and other social and health service needs of teenage parents, as well as the local programs that provide these services.
2. (2) Each county, in conjunction with the department, shall provide training to persons assigned to work with teenage parents to develop the expertise required by paragraph (1).