Program Overview

CalWORKs Program

The CalWORKs program is dedicated to offering high-quality academic, career, and personal counseling to support students in achieving their educational and professional goals. The program provides case management, tracks student progress, and facilitates off-campus work experience, as well as on-campus Work-Study opportunities for Alameda County-referred CalWORKs participants who are unable to secure employment after their Job Search.

CalWORKs Services

The program offers the following free services:

• Child Care
• Referral Assistance for Financial Aid (grants, loans & fee waivers)
• Assistance with books & supplies
• Academic/ Career/ Personal Counseling
• Work Readiness Skills Development
• Work-Study/ Work Experience/ Internships
• Job Search/ Placement Assistance

Alameda County Approved Laney Programs

The following programs are approved by Alameda County:

• Air conditioning
• Graphic Arts
• Architectural Engineering Tech
• Hospitality Services
• Bank Teller/Finance Clerk
• Instructional Aide
• Bioscience (Biotechnology)
• Machinist Helper
• Computer Information Systems
• Retail & Merchandise
• Construction Management
• Skilled Trades
• Cosmetology
• Stagecraft
• Culinary Arts
• Welding
• General Office Clerk
• Wood Technology

Laney CalWORKs Work-Study Program

The goal of the LaneyWORKs work-study program is to provide CalWORKs students with employment opportunities while pursuing their educational programs. The LaneyWORKs Program allows students to develop valuable job skills and meet state requirements for participation.

Getting Started

CalWORKs students seeking employment should arrange a time to meet with LaneyWORKs staff for initial evaluation and career consultation. Currently employed students may not be able to participate in the work-study program. The CalWORKs staff is able to coordinate with existing employers to bring students into the LaneyWORKs work-study program and can verify work activity for the county.

CalWORKs Eligibility

Who Is Eligible

The following individuals are eligible for the CalWORKs program:

• TANF/CalWORKs recipients who are receiving cash aid and had or are developing a Welfare-to-Work (WTW) plan that refers them to the college for education and training
• Self-Initiated Participants (SIPs)
• Must be in good standing
• Exempt CalWORKs Recipients (must have an educational plan developed with clear goals for completion)

Who Is Not Eligible

The following individuals are not eligible for the CalWORKs program:

• Sanction Students
• CalWORKs students who are not receiving cash aid – only their children are receiving cash aid
• CalWORKs students who are not receiving cash aid for themselves, only receiving food stamps
• CalWORKs recipients who have "timed-out" of the welfare system (60-month time limit has been reached) and are no longer eligible to receive cash aid
• Tribal TANF
• Individuals on SSI (not receiving CalWORKs/TANF cash assistance)

What's Expected of A CalWORKs Student

CalWORKs students are expected to:

• Maintain a 2.00 GPA or "C" average in all their classes
• Meet the 32/35 hour requirement within a county approved program of activities
• Comply with county and CalWORKs guidelines

Assessment Services & County Eligibility

CalWORKs Assessment services are now provided by Alameda Department of Social Services (ACDSS) for all CalWORKs participants who cannot find employment after Job Search. All Alameda County residents receiving aid through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, formerly Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), unless exempt or deferred for just cause, are required to participate in CalWORKs. The program is designed to provide opportunity, choice and support to TANF recipients in their efforts to obtain permanent and unsubsidized employment that is designed to be more than just another government program.

Resources

The following resources are available to CalWORKs students:

• CalWORKs EDUCATIONAL PROVIDERS
• Cal JOBS – State Employment Development Dept.
• East Bay Works – opportunities for employment
• Occupational Outlook Handbook – finding a job and evaluating a job offer.
• CalWORKs at College of Alameda
• CalWORKs at Merritt College

Program Administration

Laney CalWORKs works closely with Alameda County DSS and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office – CalWORKs to determine eligibility and coordinate services according to state, federal, and county guidelines. Eligibility is assessed at the start of each semester. Laney CalWORKs is responsible for verifying and tracking student eligibility for all CalWORKs/TANF-funded services. These services are managed through the campus-based CalWORKs office, and all collaborating on-campus departments must coordinate with the program administrator to verify ongoing eligibility, academic progress, program expenses, and data reporting.