The LACCD CalWORKs Program provides a multiple of services to TANF (Temporary Assistance Needy Families) recipient students. The College CalWORKs program's core services are; coordination with LA County, the community, and business; on-campus services for students; crisis and career counseling; curriculum development and redesign, job development and work-study; child-care services; employment-preparation training, skills training and education for careers. These activities are provided for by the California State Chancellor's Office and in partnership with the Department of Public Social Services of the County of Los Angeles.

In addition to these ongoing core services, the CalWORKs programs participate in special projects to provide additional opportunities for students:

• Long Term Family Self Sufficiency Program for Employer Linked Training
• The Vocational Limited English Proficiency Program
• City of LA Health Care Career Ladder Program

District CalWORKs Background

In 1985 California established itself as a leader in the field of welfare reform by implementing Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) and pioneering the way for legislation which targeted welfare participants for job training, employment, and related support services. Since 1997 the Los Angeles Community Colleges have provided coordination, job development, work-study, and childcare services for California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids (CalWORKs), one of the largest welfare-to-work programs in the nation, which has been funded through the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. In addition, District colleges continue to provide its participants with GAIN welfare coordination services funded through the County of Los Angeles Department of Social Services (DPSS).

LACCD has been at the forefront of welfare-to-work educational programs, having served over 15,000 students in the areas of English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, and Vocational Training. One of the highlights of the CalWORKs Program has been the significance placed on comprehensive assessment, counseling, academic, vocational, and job-placement services, which support participants in their paths to becoming self-sufficient. To meet the immediate employment needs of a changing population, the emphasis has been on vocational training for high-demand jobs. To this end, the nine campuses have developed specialized courses, nontraditional instructional hours (e.g., evenings and weekends), and support services to prepare participants for today's workforce. The programs are designed in partnership with local businesses to produce well-trained employees. Also, participants in need of basic literacy skills or General Education Development (GED) are provided with appropriate instruction.

Graduates have found employment in many fields offering career ladder employment including business, computer information services, nursing/allied health, computer-assisted office technology, child development, and many other fields.