NLIS 1
September 13, 2005
(Human Resources, Labour and Employment)
 

Minister launches new High School Completion Incentive

Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, announced today that the new High School Completion Incentive is now available under the department�s Income Support Program. Funding of $600,000, announced in Budget 2005, will be provided annually to encourage young people in families receiving income support to finish high school. Families will receive an increase in their income support benefits of approximately $260 for each child while, once the child turns 18 and is attending high school.

�Research shows us that children in families who rely heavily on income support are far more likely to drop out of high school compared to the general youth population,� said Minister Burke. �Under the current system, when a child turns 18, these families lose funding they receive under the Child Tax Benefits. The High School Completion Incentive will replace the loss of these benefits, offer some financial relief for income support families and hopefully, make it easier for the young person to stay at home and finish school.�

Low education levels and a lack of a high school diploma are key characteristics of a dependence on income support from one generation to the next, contributing to a cycle of poverty. Almost 50 per cent of all new entrants to the income support program are between the ages of 18 to 29.
�The High School Completion Incentive is one of several actions we are taking in the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to address this alarming statistic and ease the burden for many families living on income support,� said Minister Burke. �Financial pressures are certainly not the main reason a young person may drop out of school. However, I believe we must offer as much encouragement as possible for our young people who are at risk of dropping out. I am extremely pleased that we have found a unique, creative approach to provide another avenue of support to these youth.�

Families within the Income Support Program who qualify for the High School Completion Incentive have been notified in writing by the department. It is estimated approximately 250 to 300 families will qualify for the incentive throughout the school year.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062, 689-2624

2005 09 13                                   9:30 a.m.


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