Supporting Student Parents in Community College CalWORKs Programs [ppic.org]

Many Californians face difficulties connecting to good jobs because of limited education. This is especially true for poor families who receive cash assistance from the state’s CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) program. Few CalWORKs parents have more than a high school degree, and many struggle to balance family and work responsibilities. Quality jobs provide family-sustaining incomes and opportunities for growth that can buffer families from the shocks of recessions, like the current pandemic-induced downturn.

California’s community colleges provide education and vocational training that can fulfill CalWORKs work requirements, and every community college offers targeted programs for students receiving CalWORKs benefits. These programs provide additional services and supports to address the specific challenges students may face both inside and outside the classroom as low-income, predominantly single parents.

This report examines the role California’s community colleges play in building skills and credentials to support the economic mobility of CalWORKs parents. We examine the trajectories of more than 43,000 students who received CalWORKs cash assistance and services from a college CalWORKs program between the school years 2012–13 and 2018–19. We also surveyed CalWORKs program directors at community colleges to learn more about the programs and services they provide to students.

[Please click here to read more.]