CalWORKs Program
Overview
CalWORKs is an education and training program established for low-income and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) students so that they may become economically self-sufficient. The goal is to provide an educational environment where the student may develop the needed vocational skills leading to meaningful employment. The program offers assistance with Tuition, Childcare, Books, Program Planning, Tutoring, Computer-Assisted-Instruction, Paid Work Study, Internships, Job Placements, and Community Referrals.
CalWORKs offers English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, basic skills, General Education Development (GED) preparation, and vocational training, as well as courses leading to Occupational and Skill Certificates. These courses may be non-credit, for-credit, compressed/short-term, and open-entry/open-exit. In addition, students may select regular college courses leading to Occupational Certificates and Associate Degrees.
Qualifications
Participants who qualify for the CalWORKs program must satisfy the following requirements:
ESL
Free Continuing Education ESL courses are offered on an open-entry/open-exit basis. Day and evening courses, which meet from 3 to 9 hours weekly, are designed for beginning level students and include Literacy, 1, 2, and 3 levels. Upon successful completion of level 3, many students are able to matriculate into college credit ESL.
Basic Skills
Learning Skills 1A Reading (Not Degree Applicable-NDA) 1 Unit, Repeat (RPT) 3
Based on diagnostic assessment, the student will receive group and individualized reading instruction designed to improve reading skills. Credit/No Credit class; 3 hours weekly.
Learning Skills 2A English (NDA) 1 Unit, RPT 3
Based on diagnostic assessment, the student will receive group and individualized English skills to the level at which the student will be able to succeed in college/vocational coursework. Credit/Not Credit class; 3 hours weekly.
Learning Skills 4 The Mechanics of Spelling (NDA) 1 Unit, RPT 3
Based on diagnostic assessment, the student will receive group and individualized spelling instruction designed to improve spelling skills to the level at which the student will succeed in college/vocational coursework. Credit/Not Credit class; 3 hours weekly.
Learning Skills 10A/B Mathematics Fundamentals (NDA) 1 Unit, RPT 3
Based on diagnostic assessment, the student will receive individual instruction in math fundamentals. Credit/Not Credit class; 3 hours weekly.
GED Preparation
Based on diagnostic assessment, the student will receive group and individual assistance designed to help students pass the GED test. Length of GED preparation will depend on pre-GED testing.
Vocational Programs
Child Development Careers Project
The Child Care Resource Center with Valley, Pierce, and Mission Colleges has received special funding from the California Department of Education to offer these services to qualified students: Accelerated child development teacher training; job placement within 1 year; mentor/teacher supervision; counseling, assessment, program planning; assistance with book and tuition costs; and assistance in accessing transportation to college, job placement sites and local child care centers.
Qualification include commitment to work with young children as a career; currently receiving CalWORKs assistance; ability to complete college-level classes; commitment to complete required coursework within 2 years; age 18 years and older; and meet and clear criminal records review (fingerprints) and have a negative tuberculosis test.
Computers in the Workplace
This is a Continuing Education non-credit class that enables students to learn everyday office procedures; enhance business vocabulary; office professionalism; and how to type and use computer programs, such as Windows 98, Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, and the Internet.
Apparel Marketing Retail Sales Skills Certificate
The completion of Marketing 1, 285, 185, 32 and Cooperative 931 will qualify students for a Retail Skills Certificate to work in entry-level retail sales positions leading to managerial positions based on experience. Students can earn this certificate in one semester.
Food Service
The course includes Food Handling, Meal Preparation, Sanitation, and Safety and leads to employment in facilities such as hospitals, cafeterias, and hotels. Students take F.E.A.S.T., a training and certification course for food service personnel which enables students to make sanitation plans that safeguard food, support compliance with Health Department regulations, and protect the public health and safety. Spanish/English tutoring is available.
Groundskeeping/Custodial
Students are trained through an internship regarding proper grounds and building maintenance.
For more information, please contact CalWORKs in Bungalow 53, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. The phone number is (818) 947-2976.