Existing law establishes the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals using federal, state, and county funds. Existing law establishes the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (program) in the California Community Colleges under which community college districts are required to provide educational services and special services to recipients of aid under CalWORKs who are attending a community college, to the extent funding is provided in the annual Budget Act. Existing law authorizes those special services to include workstudy. Existing law prohibits program payments to an employer for workstudy from exceeding 75% of the wage for the workstudy positions and requires an employer to pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy positions. Existing law requires subsidized campus childcare to be provided to students participating in the program only if they are engaged in certain activities, through the completion of their initial education and training plan and for up to 3 months after completion or until the end of the academic year, whichever period of time is greater.

This bill would expand the definition of CalWORKs recipient for program purposes to include a person whose dependent is a recipient of aid under CalWORKs. who can participate in the program to include students who have exceeded the 60-month limit on CalWORKs cash aid and have one or more dependents who are recipients of aid under CalWORKs. The bill would add direct aid designed to meet ongoing basic needs and services, as described, as a special service for which program funds may be used. The bill would authorize program payments to an employer for workstudy to pay 100% of the wage for the workstudy positions and would delete the requirement that an employer pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy positions. The bill would authorize programs to waive the requirement that an employer pay at least 25% of the wage for workstudy positions if the number of workstudy positions will not decrease. The bill would delete the limit on the provision of subsidized campus childcare for program participants. By expanding program eligibility and services, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law establishes the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals using federal, state, and county funds. Existing law establishes the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (program) in the California Community Colleges under which community college districts are required to provide educational services and special services to recipients of aid under CalWORKs who are attending a community college, to the extent funding is provided in the annual Budget Act. Existing law authorizes those special services to include workstudy. Existing law prohibits program payments to an employer for workstudy from exceeding 75% of the wage for the workstudy positions and requires an employer to pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy positions.

This bill would expand the definition of CalWORKs recipient for program purposes to include a person whose dependent is a recipient of aid under CalWORKs. The bill would add direct aid designed to meet ongoing basic needs and services, as described, as a special service for which program funds may be used. The bill would authorize program payments to an employer for workstudy to pay 100% of the wage for the workstudy positions and would delete the requirement that an employer pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy positions. By expanding program eligibility and services, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Date of Hearing: April 23, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 363

Author:(Bryan) – As Amended Ver:March 20, 2025

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes

SUMMARY:

This bill expands eligibility and direct aid services for the California Community Colleges (CCCs) CalWORKs Recipient Education Program (CalWORKs Education Program) and allows the CCCs to waive the required employer payment for eligible workstudy employees.

Specifically, this bill authorizes the CCCs to enroll students with more than 60 months of California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) cash aid and who have one or more dependents receiving CalWORKs benefits in the CalWORKs Education Program. The bill also specifies that CCCs assist recipients in achieving economic mobility and provide direct aid for basic needs services and resources, and authorizes CCCs to use CalWORKs Education Funding to fund up to 100% of workstudy program wages for a student receiving CalWORKs Education Program if the number of workstudy positions will not decrease. Lastly, the bill removes the prohibition on CCCs using subsidized childcare funds for recipients not engaged in welfare to work activities, and allows CCCs to fund workstudy for recipients regardless of whether their total hours of education, employment, and workstudy meet statutory obligations.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressures, of an unknown but potentially significant amount, possibly in the millions to low tens of millions of dollars, for the CCCs to expand eligibility and provide direct aid to CalWORKs recipients and to fund 100% of workstudy employer costs. However, according to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, systemwide at the CCCs there is approximately $20 million reported in unspent CalWORKs Education Program funding due to low subscription (largely during the pandemic) and the CCCs could meet any increase in demand first using those funds before incurring additional costs.

COMMENTS:

CalWORKs is the state’s primary cash assistance program. CalWORKs implements the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and provides eligible low-income families with cash grants and supportive services aimed at helping them to secure education, training, and employment. The supportive services include, among other things, mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, or domestic violence services; job skills training; and attendance in a secondary school or in a course leading to certificate of general educational development.

Established in 2014, the CalWORKs Education Program provides education, training, support services, and job opportunities to individuals receiving CalWORKs services from the county. CalWORKs program funds must assist CalWORKs recipient students and those students transitioning off of CalWORKs in achieving long-term self-sufficiency through coordinated student services offered at a community college, such as subsidized childcare and workstudy.

A Proposition 98 General Fund appropriation and federal funding provided through TANF, $55 million and $7 million, respectively, support the CalWORKs Education Program. Current law authorizes CCCs to provide direct aid to students only from the portion of the CalWORKs Education Program provided by TANF funds. This bill adds direct aid designed to meet basic needs services and resources to the list of student services funded by the CalWORKs Education Program, including from Proposition 98 General Fund monies.

Analysis Prepared by: Aaron Heredia / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: March 18, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Mike Fong, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 363 (

Author:Bryan) – As Introduced Ver:February 3, 2025

[Note: This bill is double referred to the Assembly Human Services Committee and will be heard by that Committee as it is related to issues under its jurisdiction.]

SUBJECT: Community colleges: CalWORKs Recipients Education Program: eligibility and services

SUMMARY: Expands access to the California Community College’s CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (CalWORKs education program) to include those whose dependents receive CalWORKs benefits and expands the permitted use of funds provided for the CalWORKs education program. Specifically, this bill:

1. Permits California Community Colleges (CCC) to expand the pool of eligible students who can receives services from the CalWORKs education program to include those whose dependents are eligible and receive benefits from the California CalWORKs welfare program.
2. Clarifies the CCC may provide services to the following individuals:
   1. CCC students who receive CalWORKs benefits;
   2. CCC students whose dependents receive CalWORKs benefits;
   3. Upon certain conditions and only for two years, CCC students who were former recipients of CalWORKs benefits; and,
   4. Upon certain conditions and only for two years, CCC students whose dependents were former recipients of CalWORKs benefits.
3. Adds direct aid for basic needs services to the list of services which can be provided by the CalWORKs education program to qualifying students.
4. Authorizes CCC to use funding from the CalWORKs education program to provide up to 100 percent of the wage for workstudy for a student receiving services from the CalWORKs education program.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes within the CCC system the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (CalWORKs education program) (Education Code (EDC) Section 79200).
2. States it is the intent of the Legislature that the services provided by CalWORKs education program are to assist CalWORKs recipients prepare for employment (EDC Section 79201).
3. Authorizes, pursuant to budget allocation, a community college to receive funding in order to provide educational services to CalWORKs recipients. The college will receive funding based on the number of CalWORKs recipients who are enrolled at the college and based on the scope and number of programs offered to assist the CalWORKs recipients gain employment. Prior to receiving funding, a college is required to submit to the Chancellor of the CCC an application which will contain a plan for curriculum development and redesign. There are codified criteria for the plan including, but not limited to:
   1. Evidence the curriculum development or redesign will help students secure employment;
   2. Participation from the county welfare department in the curriculum development or redesign;
   3. Evidence of collaboration with regional workforce representatives;
   4. Procedures to monitor the outcomes of CalWORKs recipients who participate in the programs developed by the new curricula; and,
   5. Description of new courses for CalWORKs recipients that are designed to aid in job-related advancement (EDC Section 79302).
4. Permits funding provided for curriculum development and design to also be used by the college for the following purposes:
   1. Develop or redesign vocational curricula into short-term intensive programs for CalWORKs recipients;
   2. To establish internships and work experience opportunities linked to CalWORKs courses in order foster job placement;
   3. To redesign and integrate basic education and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses into vocational courses;
   4. To expand the use of telecommunications within CalWORKs courses (EDC Section 79203).
5. In addition to the funds provided to CCC for CalWORKs curriculum, additional funds may be provided for special services to be provided to CalWORKs recipients. If funding is provided, services are to be provided to either existing CalWORKs recipients or those who have received CalWORKs in the past, but for the later group the services may only be provided for two years. Funds provided for special services may only be used to supplement and not supplant services provided for CalWORKs recipients attending the CCC. Authorizes the Chancellor of the CCC to develop an equitable method based on the number of CalWORKs recipients in each district for the allocation of funds to each CCC and authorizes the funds to be used for the following purposes: job placement, coordination with county welfare offices, child care and workstudy, instruction, postemployment skills training and related skills training, campus-based case management, counseling, and academic supports (EDC Section 79204).
6. CCC who provide subsidized childcare as part of the CalWORKs education program, may only provide the childcare to children of CalWORKs recipients through campus-based centers or parental choice vouchers, as defined. The childcare provided will only be provided to CalWORKs recipients if they are engaged in welfare-to-work activities, through the completion of their initial education and training program, and up to three months thereafter, or until the end of the academic year, whichever is a greater time period (EDC Section 79205 subdivision a and b).
7. Permits the funds allocated to a CCC to be used for workstudy, specifically to provide payments to employers that are currently participating in campus-based workstudy programs. The payments shall not exceed 75% of the wage for the workstudy position and if the employers receives funds from the CCC, they are required to pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy position. The funds used for workstudy may only be expended if the CalWORKs recipient’s total hours of education, employment, and workstudy meet the CalWORKS requirements as defined.
8. Permits the funds allocated to CCC for special services for CalWORKs recipients to be used for additional credit or noncredit courses for CalWORKs recipients if it is determined by the Chancellor of the CCC that additional instructional services is necessary to meet the enrollment demands of CalWORKs recipients. Provides a method for determining if additional instructional courses are required and requires the Chancellor of the CCC to provide a report to the Legislature and Department of Finance each year by February 15 if the funds are used for additional coursework (EDC Section 79206).
9. Establishes a reporting requirements for CCC who receive funding for special services for CalWORKs recipients. The CCC must report to the Chancellor of the CCC by the fourth week following the end of the winter semester or quarter. The report will also be submitted by the Chancellor of CCC to the Legislature, Governor, the Legislative Analyst, the Department of Finance, and the State Department of Social Services (CDSS). The report must include the following information:
   1. How the moneys received were used by the CCC;
   2. The number of hours of childcare provided;
   3. The average monthly enrollment of CalWORKs recipient dependents served in childcare;
   4. The number of workstudy hours provided;
   5. The hourly salaries and type of jobs in which CalWORKs recipients were placed;
   6. The number of students receiving case management;
   7. The student participation rates, and other outcome data (EDC Section 79207).
10. Stipulates the first priority of funds provided to the CCC for special services to CalWORKs recipients must be expended for current recipients. If additional moneys remain, the Chancellor of the CCC shall consult with CDSS and expend the remaining funds on providing postemployment services to former CalWORKs recipients. Prior to using the funds for postemployment services, the Chancellor of the CCC will secure approval from the Department of Finance, provide a rationale for the allocation of funds for post employment services, and complete a cumulative report on the outcomes, activities, and cost effectiveness of the program no later than February 15 of each year. Funds which are permitted to be used for postemployment services are to be used for former CalWORKs recipients who have been off cash assistance for less than two years to help them in upgrading skills and career advancement. The postemployment services provided will the following: direct instruction that cannot be funded by any other means, child care to support attendance to class, job development and placement services, and career counseling and assessment activities that cannot be funded through other means (EDC Section 79208).
11. Permits the Chancellor of the CCC to authorize the funds provided for child care to be used for other special services for CalWORKs recipients. Funds allocated for special services shall be budged to meet the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families maintenance of effort requirement, as defined and may not be expended in a manner that would cause their disqualification as a federally allowable maintenance of effort expenditure (EDC Section 79209).
12. A recipient of CalWORKs is required to participate in welfare-to-work activities for a specified allotted time each week. The time requirements are as follows:
    1. 20 hours per week if the recipient has a child under the age of six and is a single adult or is part of a two adult household where one is disabled;
    2. 20 hours per week if the recipient is a single, pregnant person;
    3. 30 hours per week if the recipient does not have a child under six and is a single adult or is part of a two adult household where one is disabled; or,
    4. 35 hours per week if the adult recipient is an unemployed person and if both parents in a two adult household may contribute 35 hours (Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 11322.8).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.

COMMENTS: Author’s Intent. According to the author, “The CalWORKs Recipient Education Program (Cal WORKs REP) helps community college students enrolled in CalWORKs to prepare for employment by providing vital services such as work-study, job placement, childcare, skills training, and case management support. In 2022-23, there were about 17,000 CalWORKs REP students statewide. AB 363 will increase access to critical educational support for CalWORKs students in need, strengthen the direct financial aid provided, and remove program barriers for students to access more off-campus opportunities for work-study placements.”

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Every year as part of the annual Budget Act, the Federal Government provides a fixed block grant to states, territories, and Washington, DC for the purposes of funding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF was established in 1996 and was part of a larger welfare reform effort proposed by President Bill Clinton. In the last published report to Congress, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance, reported $16.5 billion in funds had been allocated to states and territories for the purpose of fostering economic security and providing stability for families with children who are considered low income.^[1] Each state is provided funds in the form of a block grant and is then authorized to provide monthly cash assistance to qualifying families with children. Additionally, each state is permitted to provide a wide range of services as long as the services align with the program’s overarching goals:

1. Provide stability for children to remain in their nuclear family “home” by providing assistance to the family unit;
2. Promote job attainment, work attainment, and marriage in order to end the dependence upon government benefits;
3. Reduce the incidences of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and,
4. Encourage the formation and strengthen the continuation of two-parent familes.¹

In California, the TANF program is known as CalWORKs.

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to kids (CalWORKs). CalWORKs was created in 1997 to provide California the ability to administer the newly created TANF program. Just like CalFresh, CalWORKs is administered by county welfare departments, but overseen by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). According to the Legislative Analyst Office, California receives $3.7 billion in TANF funds of which over $2 billion is given to CalWORKs.^[2] In order to remain eligible to receive TANF funds, the State must provide additional state funding for services for CalWORKs recipients; which is known as the Maintenance-of-Effort.² Including the Maintenance-of-Effort, the state spends roughly $4.9 billion to provide services for CalWORKs recipients.

To qualify for CalWORKs, a person must meet the age, income, and citizenship requirements. Technically, both adult caretakers (parents or guardians) and a child may be eligible for CalWORKs if either or both meet the criteria.

Despite meeting the above qualifications, a person may still be deemed ineligible for CalWORKs. The most common cases for ineligibility are as follows: 1) exceeding the lifetime on aid for adults, currently five years of cash assistance; 2) being sanctioned for not meeting some of the programs requirements after receiving cash assistance; 3) receiving Supplemental Social Security Income benefits.² Thus far, in 2025-2026, CDSS has served a monthly average of 361,834 cases and has provided $1,002 in cash assistance to qualifying Californians each month.^[5]

CalWORKs Recipients Education Program. The CCC is an equal access institute and accepts 100% of all applicants regardless of previous academic experience. In their ongoing effort to help all students achieve their educational and career goals, the CCC offer a myriad of programs with the primary focus of assisting low-income students on their educational journey. One of these program is the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (CalWORKs Education Program).

Established in 1997 as part of the national “welfare reform” efforts, CalWORKs Education Program enables CCC to provide additional services to CalWORKs recipients who are also enrolled in CCC courses. Every year, the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC is required by law to provide a report on the services and benefits of the CalWORKs Education Program. The most recently available report provides data from 2022-2023. The CalWORKs Education Program provides funding to the CCC for two purposes: 1) to help CalWORKs recipients with vital services to assist them find employment, and 2) to develop curriculum specifically to help CalWORKs recipients obtain the skills necessary for job attainment. Services include workstudy, childcare, job development and placement, and case management and counseling. Each year as part of the annual Budget Act, the CCC receives $8 million in TANF funds and $55.642 million in Proposition 98 funds for services provided as part of the CalWORKs Education Program. The below table from the CCC report on CalWORKs funds demonstrates how the funds were used in 2022-2023:^[6]

In 2022-2023, the CCC served 16,862 CalWORKs students and of those served, 1,070 received childcare for their children, and 542 were provided employment services.⁶

Arguments in support. As the sponsors of the measure, the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC believes “this bill would make changes to our CalWORKs Recipient Education Program (REP) that will provide flexibility to colleges to better serve students in the program. CalWORks REP has been lifting families out of poverty through education since 1998, Each community college has a CalWORKs REP that provides support services to students receiving CalWORKs…The restrictions removed by AB 363 will increase access to critical educational supports for low-income parenting students in need and expand participants’ opportunities for experiential and work-based learning.”

Committee comments. The author of the measure has contended the bill is necessary due to three deficiencies in the current law:

1. CalWORKs recipients, who have timed out of direct aid benefits, are unable to continue using the resources provided by the CalWORKs Education Program. The “adult” may have exhausted the time allotted (five years) for the benefits provided by CalWORKs, their dependent could still be eligible and receiving CalWORKs benefits;
2. The TANF portion of the CalWORKs Education Program may be used to provide direct aid to those receiving service from CalWORKs Education Program; however, the Proposition 98 portion is limited to the programmatic requirements of EDC Sections 79200 – 79209; and,
3. State law requires employers to at least provide 25% of the wage of a CalWORKs recipient in order for the employer to be eligible to receive CalWORKs Education Program funds as part of the workstudy component.

For the first deficiency, AB 363 (Bryan) would expand the services of the CalWORKs Education Program to those whose dependent is receiving CalWORKs benefits. This would not just expand the CalWORKs Education Program to adults who have timed out of benefits but to those who are not qualified due to immigration status or because they are receiving other forms of benefits such as social security benefits. It is the understanding of Committee staff that the Proposition 98 funds provided for the CalWORKs Education Program are part of the state’s maintenance of effort expenditure and can only be used for services that would meet the requirements of the maintenance of effort expenditure. Committee staff would content the restriction on the use of funds as stipulated in Education Code Section 79209 would prohibit CCC from providing services to immigrants who are not otherwise eligible for services.

While not germane to this jurisdiction of this Committee, the Assembly Committee on Human Services may wish to examine whether the expanded definition and the possibility the services of the CalWORKs Education program being provided to mixed status households, poses a risk to the maintenance of effort expenditure.

Furthermore, Committee Staff wish to note, existing law already permits the CCC in the event there is funding left after providing services to existing recipients, to provide postemployment services to those who were eligible previously for the services for at least two years.

The author may wish to consider amending the section of code that stipulates what type of postemployment services may be provided by the CCC.

AB 363 (Bryan) would rectify the second deficiency by enabling the services funded by Proposition 98 to be used to provide direct aid for basic needs services to CalWORKs recipients. The basic needs services the author is hoping to provide, includes: housing, food, clothing, feminine hygiene, diapers, technology, childcare, and mental health services and resources. The final deficiency would be to provide up to 100% of the employer funded wage for CalWORKs recipients who participate in workstudy.

The Author provided amendments to the committee to provide clarity on the Author’s intent. Committee staff note the amendments should address the concerns regarding the TANF maintenance of effort expenditure. The amendments are as follows:

1. Reverts Section 79200, subdivision (b) to existing law. The subdivision will read as follows:

(b) As used in this article, “CalWORKs recipient” means a recipient of aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or any successor program. 

1. Adds to Section 79200, subdivision (c) and subdivision (d) to read as follows:

(c) A program may enroll a student who has exceeded the 60 month limit on CalWORKS cash aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or any successor program and has dependents who are recipients of aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(d) A program participant is a student that meets the criteria described in (b) or (c).

1. Adds and amends Section 79201 to read as follows:

It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to assist CalWORKs recipients program participants prepare for employment.

1. Adds and amends Section 79202 to read as follow:

To the extent that funding is provided in the annual Budget Act, a community college shall receive funding for educational services provided to CalWORKs recipients program participants based on the number of CalWORKs recipients program participants that are enrolled at the community college and the scope and number of programs that the college plans to offer to assist CalWORKs recipients program participants obtain employment. Prior to receiving funding, a community college shall submit to the chancellor a Request for Application which contains a plan for curriculum development or redesign. The plan shall include all of the following:

(a) Evidence that the curriculum will prepare students for an occupation that is in demand in the local labor market or that is in an emerging field that has documented employment potential.

(b) Participation by the county welfare department to establish that the programs being developed or redesigned will provide CalWORKs recipients program participants with the training and experience necessary to secure employment, including intensive English language proficiency.

(c) Evidence of collaboration with local partners, such as employers, private industry councils, regional occupational programs, adult education providers, and affected counties in the development and design of the curriculum.

(d) Procedures to monitor CalWORKs recipients program participants who complete the new curricula and transition into employment.

(e) A description of new courses for CalWORKs recipients program participants that are designed to aid recipients program participants with job-related advancement.

1. Adds and amends Section 79203 to read as follows:

To the extent that funding is provided in the annual Budget Act, funds received by a community college for curriculum development or redesign for CalWORKs recipients program participants may be expended for all of the following purposes:

(a) To develop or redesign vocational curricula for CalWORKs recipients program participants so that courses may be offered as part of a short-term intensive program, including Open Entry and Open Exit programs, and including intensive English language immersion.

(b) To link CalWORKs courses to job placement through work experience and internships.

(c) To redesign basic education and ESL classes so that they may be integrated with vocational training programs.

(d) To expand the use of telecommunications in providing the new curricula to CalWORKs recipients program participants.

1. Amends Section 79204 to read as follows:

(a) In addition to the funding received pursuant to Section 79202, and to the extent that funding is provided in the annual Budget Act, a community college district shall receive funding for purposes of providing special services for CalWORKs recipients program participants.

(b) Special services for CalWORKs recipients program participants shall assist CalWORKs recipients program participants students and those students transitioning off of CalWORKs in achieving economic mobility long-term self-sufficiency through coordinated student services offered at a community college. Special services may include any of the services funded in accordance with subdivision (e).

(c) Services funded pursuant to this section shall be provided only to both of the following:

(1) Current CalWORKs recipients program participants until their initial educational objectives are met.

(2) Former CalWORKs recipients program participants for a period of not more than two years, subject to the conditions of Section 79208.

(d) Funds received for purposes of this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, existing funds and services provided for CalWORKs recipients program participants attending a community college.

(e) The chancellor shall develop an equitable method for allocating these funds to all community college districts based on the relative number of CalWORKs recipients program participants in attendance in each district and shall allocate funds for all of the following purposes:

(1) Job placement.

(2) Coordination with county welfare offices and other local agencies, including, but not limited to, local workforce investment boards.

(3) Child care and workstudy.

(4) Instruction.

(5) Postemployment skills training and related skills training.

(6) Campus-based case management, limited to on-campus assistance and services not provided by county caseworkers that do not supplant other counseling and academic support services funded through existing California Community Colleges categorical programs.

(7) Direct aid designed to meet ongoing basic needs services and resources, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 66023.5.

1. Amends Section 79205 to read as follows:

 (a) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for purposes of subsidized child care shall be used only for children of CalWORKs recipients program participants through campus-based centers or parental choice vouchers subject to rules consistent with those applied to related programs operated by the State Department of Education, including those rules relating to eligibility, reimbursement rates, and parental contribution schedules.

(b) Subsidized campus child care shall be provided to CalWORKs recipients only if they are engaged in welfare-to-work activities pursuant to Section 11320.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through the completion of their initial education and training plan and for up to three months thereafter or until the end of the academic year, whichever period of time is greater.

(b) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for workstudy shall be used for payments to those employers that currently participate in campus-based workstudy programs or are providing work experiences that are directly related to and in furtherance of student educational programs and work participation requirements. Those payments shall not exceed 75 percent of the wage for the workstudy positions, and the employers shall pay at least 25 percent of the wage for the workstudy positions.

(c) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for workstudy shall be used for payments to those employers that currently participate in campus-based workstudy programs or are providing work experiences that are directly related to and in furtherance of student educational programs and work participation requirements. Those payments may pay 100 percent of the wage for the workstudy positions. These funds may be expended on behalf of a CalWORKs recipient only if the recipient’s total hours of education, employment, and workstudy meet the recipient’s obligations as specified in Section 11322.8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(c) Programs may waive the 25% employer contribution in (b) provided that the number of work study positions will not decrease.

1. Adds and amends Section 79205 to read as follows:

(a) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 may be used to provide additional sections of credit or noncredit classes for CalWORKs recipients program participants students if the chancellor determines that a community college district is otherwise unable to offer the additional instructional services to meet the demand for CalWORKs students.

(b) The determination described in subdivision (a) shall be based on fall enrollment information and community college districts shall submit applications to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges by December 1 of each year.

(c) If the chancellor approves the use of funds for direct instructional workload pursuant to subdivision (a), the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall submit a report to the Department of Finance and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by February 15 of each year that includes at least all of the following information:

(1) The enrollment of new CalWORKs recipients program participants students.

(2) An explanation of why additional classes were needed to accommodate the needs of CalWORKs recipients program participants students.

(3) An expenditure plan for the balance of these funds.

1. Adds and amends Section 79207 to read as follows:

(a) As a condition of continued receipt of the funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204, by the fourth week following the end of the semester or quarter term commencing in January of each year, community college districts and colleges shall submit to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges a report, in the format specified by the chancellor, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following information:

(1) How the moneys received for the funded components of special services, as specified in subdivision (e) of Section 79204, were spent.

(2) The number of hours of child care services provided.

(3) The average monthly enrollment of CalWORKs recipients program participants dependents served in child care.

(4) The number of workstudy hours provided.

(5) The hourly salaries and type of jobs in which CalWORKs recipients program participants were placed.

(6) The number of students receiving case management.

(7) The student participation rates, and other outcome data.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that, to the extent practicable, reporting from colleges utilize data gathered for federal reporting requirements at the state and local level.

(c) The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall compile the information received pursuant to subdivision (a) for annual reports to the Legislature, Governor, the Legislative Analyst, the Department of Finance, and the State Department of Social Services, notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, by February 15 of each year.

(d) A report to the Legislature pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be submitted pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code.

1. Adds and amends Section 79208 to read as follows:

(a) First priority for expenditures of any funds allocated in Section 79204 shall be for the support of current CalWORKs recipients program participants.

(b) If the needs of current CalWORKs recipients program participants are insufficient to fully utilize all of the funding allocated pursuant to Section 79204 in a cost-effective way, the chancellor, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, may allocate a portion of the funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for the purpose of providing postemployment services to former CalWORKs recipients.

(c) Prior to an allocation of funds for postemployment services pursuant to subdivision (b), the chancellor shall secure the approval of the Department of Finance for the allocations, complete a cumulative report on the outcomes, activities, and cost-effectiveness of the program of funding specified in Section 79204 no later than February 15 of each year, and provide the rationale and justification for the proposed allocation of funds for postemployment services by community college districts for former CalWORKs recipients program participants.

(d) Funds allocated pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be used only for former CalWORKs recipients program participants who have been off of cash assistance for not longer than two years to assist them in upgrading skills, job retention, and advancement, by means of one or more of the following:

(1) Direct instruction that cannot be funded by other means.

(2) Child care to support attendance in classes consistent with this article for periods commensurate with a student’s need for postemployment training within the two-year period.

(3) Job development and placement services.

(4) Career counseling and assessment activities that cannot be funded through other programs.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Allan Hancock College

Butte College

California Community College Calworks Association

California Community Colleges, Chancellor's Office

Chief Executive Officers of The California Community Colleges Board

City College of San Francisco Calworks Program

Community Action Partnership of Orange County

Foothill-de Anza Community College District

Fresno City College

Miracosta Community College District

Mt. San Antonio College

North Orange County Community College District

Rio Hondo College

Riverside City College

Riverside Community College District

Student Senate for California Community Colleges

Victor Valley College

West Kern Community College District

West Los Angeles College

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Ellen Cesaretti-Monroy / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960

1. https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ofa/13th_tanf_report_to_congress_final.pdf ↑

2. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4969 ↑

3. https://ha.saccounty.gov/benefits/CalWORKs/Documents/CalWORKs%20Fact%20Sheet%20Jan%202024.pdf ↑

4. https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/CA%20Public%20Benefits%20for%20Noncitizens%20.pdf and https://www.calworks.org/eligibility-process ↑

5. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calworks-summary/program-overview/about-calworks ↑

6. https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/docs/report/202223calworksreport11a11y.pdf?la=en&hash=636AF76196B31339CF80A0F9245C300A70539217 ↑

Date of Hearing: March 18, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Mike Fong, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 363 (

Author:Bryan) – As Introduced Ver:February 3, 2025

[Note: This bill is double referred to the Assembly Human Services Committee and will be heard by that Committee as it is related to issues under its jurisdiction.]

SUBJECT: Community colleges: CalWORKs Recipients Education Program: eligibility and services

SUMMARY: Expands access to the California Community College’s CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (CalWORKs education program) to include those whose dependents receive CalWORKs benefits and expands the permitted use of funds provided for the CalWORKs education program. Specifically, this bill:

1. Permits California Community Colleges (CCC) to expand the pool of eligible students who can receives services from the CalWORKs education program to include those whose dependents are eligible and receive benefits from the California CalWORKs welfare program.
2. Clarifies the CCC may provide services to the following individuals:
   1. CCC students who receive CalWORKs benefits;
   2. CCC students whose dependents receive CalWORKs benefits;
   3. Upon certain conditions and only for two years, CCC students who were former recipients of CalWORKs benefits; and,
   4. Upon certain conditions and only for two years, CCC students whose dependents were former recipients of CalWORKs benefits.
3. Adds direct aid for basic needs services to the list of services which can be provided by the CalWORKs education program to qualifying students.
4. Authorizes CCC to use funding from the CalWORKs education program to provide up to 100 percent of the wage for workstudy for a student receiving services from the CalWORKs education program.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes within the CCC system the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (CalWORKs education program) (Education Code (EDC) Section 79200).
2. States it is the intent of the Legislature that the services provided by CalWORKs education program are to assist CalWORKs recipients prepare for employment (EDC Section 79201).
3. Authorizes, pursuant to budget allocation, a community college to receive funding in order to provide educational services to CalWORKs recipients. The college will receive funding based on the number of CalWORKs recipients who are enrolled at the college and based on the scope and number of programs offered to assist the CalWORKs recipients gain employment. Prior to receiving funding, a college is required to submit to the Chancellor of the CCC an application which will contain a plan for curriculum development and redesign. There are codified criteria for the plan including, but not limited to:
   1. Evidence the curriculum development or redesign will help students secure employment;
   2. Participation from the county welfare department in the curriculum development or redesign;
   3. Evidence of collaboration with regional workforce representatives;
   4. Procedures to monitor the outcomes of CalWORKs recipients who participate in the programs developed by the new curricula; and,
   5. Description of new courses for CalWORKs recipients that are designed to aid in job-related advancement (EDC Section 79302).
4. Permits funding provided for curriculum development and design to also be used by the college for the following purposes:
   1. Develop or redesign vocational curricula into short-term intensive programs for CalWORKs recipients;
   2. To establish internships and work experience opportunities linked to CalWORKs courses in order foster job placement;
   3. To redesign and integrate basic education and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses into vocational courses;
   4. To expand the use of telecommunications within CalWORKs courses (EDC Section 79203).
5. In addition to the funds provided to CCC for CalWORKs curriculum, additional funds may be provided for special services to be provided to CalWORKs recipients. If funding is provided, services are to be provided to either existing CalWORKs recipients or those who have received CalWORKs in the past, but for the later group the services may only be provided for two years. Funds provided for special services may only be used to supplement and not supplant services provided for CalWORKs recipients attending the CCC. Authorizes the Chancellor of the CCC to develop an equitable method based on the number of CalWORKs recipients in each district for the allocation of funds to each CCC and authorizes the funds to be used for the following purposes: job placement, coordination with county welfare offices, child care and workstudy, instruction, postemployment skills training and related skills training, campus-based case management, counseling, and academic supports (EDC Section 79204).
6. CCC who provide subsidized childcare as part of the CalWORKs education program, may only provide the childcare to children of CalWORKs recipients through campus-based centers or parental choice vouchers, as defined. The childcare provided will only be provided to CalWORKs recipients if they are engaged in welfare-to-work activities, through the completion of their initial education and training program, and up to three months thereafter, or until the end of the academic year, whichever is a greater time period (EDC Section 79205 subdivision a and b).
7. Permits the funds allocated to a CCC to be used for workstudy, specifically to provide payments to employers that are currently participating in campus-based workstudy programs. The payments shall not exceed 75% of the wage for the workstudy position and if the employers receives funds from the CCC, they are required to pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy position. The funds used for workstudy may only be expended if the CalWORKs recipient’s total hours of education, employment, and workstudy meet the CalWORKS requirements as defined.
8. Permits the funds allocated to CCC for special services for CalWORKs recipients to be used for additional credit or noncredit courses for CalWORKs recipients if it is determined by the Chancellor of the CCC that additional instructional services is necessary to meet the enrollment demands of CalWORKs recipients. Provides a method for determining if additional instructional courses are required and requires the Chancellor of the CCC to provide a report to the Legislature and Department of Finance each year by February 15 if the funds are used for additional coursework (EDC Section 79206).
9. Establishes a reporting requirements for CCC who receive funding for special services for CalWORKs recipients. The CCC must report to the Chancellor of the CCC by the fourth week following the end of the winter semester or quarter. The report will also be submitted by the Chancellor of CCC to the Legislature, Governor, the Legislative Analyst, the Department of Finance, and the State Department of Social Services (CDSS). The report must include the following information:
   1. How the moneys received were used by the CCC;
   2. The number of hours of childcare provided;
   3. The average monthly enrollment of CalWORKs recipient dependents served in childcare;
   4. The number of workstudy hours provided;
   5. The hourly salaries and type of jobs in which CalWORKs recipients were placed;
   6. The number of students receiving case management;
   7. The student participation rates, and other outcome data (EDC Section 79207).
10. Stipulates the first priority of funds provided to the CCC for special services to CalWORKs recipients must be expended for current recipients. If additional moneys remain, the Chancellor of the CCC shall consult with CDSS and expend the remaining funds on providing postemployment services to former CalWORKs recipients. Prior to using the funds for postemployment services, the Chancellor of the CCC will secure approval from the Department of Finance, provide a rationale for the allocation of funds for post employment services, and complete a cumulative report on the outcomes, activities, and cost effectiveness of the program no later than February 15 of each year. Funds which are permitted to be used for postemployment services are to be used for former CalWORKs recipients who have been off cash assistance for less than two years to help them in upgrading skills and career advancement. The postemployment services provided will the following: direct instruction that cannot be funded by any other means, child care to support attendance to class, job development and placement services, and career counseling and assessment activities that cannot be funded through other means (EDC Section 79208).
11. Permits the Chancellor of the CCC to authorize the funds provided for child care to be used for other special services for CalWORKs recipients. Funds allocated for special services shall be budged to meet the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families maintenance of effort requirement, as defined and may not be expended in a manner that would cause their disqualification as a federally allowable maintenance of effort expenditure (EDC Section 79209).
12. A recipient of CalWORKs is required to participate in welfare-to-work activities for a specified allotted time each week. The time requirements are as follows:
    1. 20 hours per week if the recipient has a child under the age of six and is a single adult or is part of a two adult household where one is disabled;
    2. 20 hours per week if the recipient is a single, pregnant person;
    3. 30 hours per week if the recipient does not have a child under six and is a single adult or is part of a two adult household where one is disabled; or,
    4. 35 hours per week if the adult recipient is an unemployed person and if both parents in a two adult household may contribute 35 hours (Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 11322.8).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.

COMMENTS: Author’s Intent. According to the author, “The CalWORKs Recipient Education Program (Cal WORKs REP) helps community college students enrolled in CalWORKs to prepare for employment by providing vital services such as work-study, job placement, childcare, skills training, and case management support. In 2022-23, there were about 17,000 CalWORKs REP students statewide. AB 363 will increase access to critical educational support for CalWORKs students in need, strengthen the direct financial aid provided, and remove program barriers for students to access more off-campus opportunities for work-study placements.”

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Every year as part of the annual Budget Act, the Federal Government provides a fixed block grant to states, territories, and Washington, DC for the purposes of funding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF was established in 1996 and was part of a larger welfare reform effort proposed by President Bill Clinton. In the last published report to Congress, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance, reported $16.5 billion in funds had been allocated to states and territories for the purpose of fostering economic security and providing stability for families with children who are considered low income.^[1] Each state is provided funds in the form of a block grant and is then authorized to provide monthly cash assistance to qualifying families with children. Additionally, each state is permitted to provide a wide range of services as long as the services align with the program’s overarching goals:

1. Provide stability for children to remain in their nuclear family “home” by providing assistance to the family unit;
2. Promote job attainment, work attainment, and marriage in order to end the dependence upon government benefits;
3. Reduce the incidences of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and,
4. Encourage the formation and strengthen the continuation of two-parent familes.¹

In California, the TANF program is known as CalWORKs.

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to kids (CalWORKs). CalWORKs was created in 1997 to provide California the ability to administer the newly created TANF program. Just like CalFresh, CalWORKs is administered by county welfare departments, but overseen by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). According to the Legislative Analyst Office, California receives $3.7 billion in TANF funds of which over $2 billion is given to CalWORKs.^[2] In order to remain eligible to receive TANF funds, the State must provide additional state funding for services for CalWORKs recipients; which is known as the Maintenance-of-Effort.² Including the Maintenance-of-Effort, the state spends roughly $4.9 billion to provide services for CalWORKs recipients.

To qualify for CalWORKs, a person must meet the age, income, and citizenship requirements. Technically, both adult caretakers (parents or guardians) and a child may be eligible for CalWORKs if either or both meet the criteria.

Despite meeting the above qualifications, a person may still be deemed ineligible for CalWORKs. The most common cases for ineligibility are as follows: 1) exceeding the lifetime on aid for adults, currently five years of cash assistance; 2) being sanctioned for not meeting some of the programs requirements after receiving cash assistance; 3) receiving Supplemental Social Security Income benefits.² Thus far, in 2025-2026, CDSS has served a monthly average of 361,834 cases and has provided $1,002 in cash assistance to qualifying Californians each month.^[5]

CalWORKs Recipients Education Program. The CCC is an equal access institute and accepts 100% of all applicants regardless of previous academic experience. In their ongoing effort to help all students achieve their educational and career goals, the CCC offer a myriad of programs with the primary focus of assisting low-income students on their educational journey. One of these program is the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (CalWORKs Education Program).

Established in 1997 as part of the national “welfare reform” efforts, CalWORKs Education Program enables CCC to provide additional services to CalWORKs recipients who are also enrolled in CCC courses. Every year, the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC is required by law to provide a report on the services and benefits of the CalWORKs Education Program. The most recently available report provides data from 2022-2023. The CalWORKs Education Program provides funding to the CCC for two purposes: 1) to help CalWORKs recipients with vital services to assist them find employment, and 2) to develop curriculum specifically to help CalWORKs recipients obtain the skills necessary for job attainment. Services include workstudy, childcare, job development and placement, and case management and counseling. Each year as part of the annual Budget Act, the CCC receives $8 million in TANF funds and $55.642 million in Proposition 98 funds for services provided as part of the CalWORKs Education Program. The below table from the CCC report on CalWORKs funds demonstrates how the funds were used in 2022-2023:^[6]

In 2022-2023, the CCC served 16,862 CalWORKs students and of those served, 1,070 received childcare for their children, and 542 were provided employment services.⁶

Arguments in support. As the sponsors of the measure, the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC believes “this bill would make changes to our CalWORKs Recipient Education Program (REP) that will provide flexibility to colleges to better serve students in the program. CalWORks REP has been lifting families out of poverty through education since 1998, Each community college has a CalWORKs REP that provides support services to students receiving CalWORKs…The restrictions removed by AB 363 will increase access to critical educational supports for low-income parenting students in need and expand participants’ opportunities for experiential and work-based learning.”

Committee comments. The author of the measure has contended the bill is necessary due to three deficiencies in the current law:

1. CalWORKs recipients, who have timed out of direct aid benefits, are unable to continue using the resources provided by the CalWORKs Education Program. The “adult” may have exhausted the time allotted (five years) for the benefits provided by CalWORKs, their dependent could still be eligible and receiving CalWORKs benefits;
2. The TANF portion of the CalWORKs Education Program may be used to provide direct aid to those receiving service from CalWORKs Education Program; however, the Proposition 98 portion is limited to the programmatic requirements of EDC Sections 79200 – 79209; and,
3. State law requires employers to at least provide 25% of the wage of a CalWORKs recipient in order for the employer to be eligible to receive CalWORKs Education Program funds as part of the workstudy component.

For the first deficiency, AB 363 (Bryan) would expand the services of the CalWORKs Education Program to those whose dependent is receiving CalWORKs benefits. This would not just expand the CalWORKs Education Program to adults who have timed out of benefits but to those who are not qualified due to immigration status or because they are receiving other forms of benefits such as social security benefits. It is the understanding of Committee staff that the Proposition 98 funds provided for the CalWORKs Education Program are part of the state’s maintenance of effort expenditure and can only be used for services that would meet the requirements of the maintenance of effort expenditure. Committee staff would content the restriction on the use of funds as stipulated in Education Code Section 79209 would prohibit CCC from providing services to immigrants who are not otherwise eligible for services.

While not germane to this jurisdiction of this Committee, the Assembly Committee on Human Services may wish to examine whether the expanded definition and the possibility the services of the CalWORKs Education program being provided to mixed status households, poses a risk to the maintenance of effort expenditure.

Furthermore, Committee Staff wish to note, existing law already permits the CCC in the event there is funding left after providing services to existing recipients, to provide postemployment services to those who were eligible previously for the services for at least two years.

The author may wish to consider amending the section of code that stipulates what type of postemployment services may be provided by the CCC.

AB 363 (Bryan) would rectify the second deficiency by enabling the services funded by Proposition 98 to be used to provide direct aid for basic needs services to CalWORKs recipients. The basic needs services the author is hoping to provide, includes: housing, food, clothing, feminine hygiene, diapers, technology, childcare, and mental health services and resources. The final deficiency would be to provide up to 100% of the employer funded wage for CalWORKs recipients who participate in workstudy.

The Author provided amendments to the committee to provide clarity on the Author’s intent. Committee staff note the address the concern regarding the TANF maintenance of effort expenditure. The amendments are as follows:

1. Reverts Section 79200, subdivision (b) to existing law. The subdivision will read as follows:

(b) As used in this article, “CalWORKs recipient” means a recipient of aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or any successor program. 

1. Adds to Section 79200, subdivision (c) and subdivision (d) to read as follows:

(c) A program may enroll a student who has exceeded the 60 month limit on CalWORKS cash aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or any successor program and has dependents who are recipients of aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(d) A program participant is a student that meets the criteria described in (b) or (c).

1. Adds and amends Section 79201 to read as follows:

It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to assist CalWORKs recipients program participants prepare for employment.

1. Adds and amends Section 79202 to read as follow:

To the extent that funding is provided in the annual Budget Act, a community college shall receive funding for educational services provided to CalWORKs recipients program participants based on the number of CalWORKs recipients program participants that are enrolled at the community college and the scope and number of programs that the college plans to offer to assist CalWORKs recipients program participants obtain employment. Prior to receiving funding, a community college shall submit to the chancellor a Request for Application which contains a plan for curriculum development or redesign. The plan shall include all of the following:

(a) Evidence that the curriculum will prepare students for an occupation that is in demand in the local labor market or that is in an emerging field that has documented employment potential.

(b) Participation by the county welfare department to establish that the programs being developed or redesigned will provide CalWORKs recipients program participants with the training and experience necessary to secure employment, including intensive English language proficiency.

(c) Evidence of collaboration with local partners, such as employers, private industry councils, regional occupational programs, adult education providers, and affected counties in the development and design of the curriculum.

(d) Procedures to monitor CalWORKs recipients program participants who complete the new curricula and transition into employment.

(e) A description of new courses for CalWORKs recipients program participants that are designed to aid recipients program participants with job-related advancement.

1. Adds and amends Section 79203 to read as follows:

To the extent that funding is provided in the annual Budget Act, funds received by a community college for curriculum development or redesign for CalWORKs recipients program participants may be expended for all of the following purposes:

(a) To develop or redesign vocational curricula for CalWORKs recipients program participants so that courses may be offered as part of a short-term intensive program, including Open Entry and Open Exit programs, and including intensive English language immersion.

(b) To link CalWORKs courses to job placement through work experience and internships.

(c) To redesign basic education and ESL classes so that they may be integrated with vocational training programs.

(d) To expand the use of telecommunications in providing the new curricula to CalWORKs recipients program participants.

1. Amends Section 79204 to read as follows:

(a) In addition to the funding received pursuant to Section 79202, and to the extent that funding is provided in the annual Budget Act, a community college district shall receive funding for purposes of providing special services for CalWORKs recipients program participants.

(b) Special services for CalWORKs recipients program participants shall assist CalWORKs recipients program participants students and those students transitioning off of CalWORKs in achieving economic mobility long-term self-sufficiency through coordinated student services offered at a community college. Special services may include any of the services funded in accordance with subdivision (e).

(c) Services funded pursuant to this section shall be provided only to both of the following:

(1) Current CalWORKs recipients program participants until their initial educational objectives are met.

(2) Former CalWORKs recipients program participants for a period of not more than two years, subject to the conditions of Section 79208.

(d) Funds received for purposes of this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, existing funds and services provided for CalWORKs recipients program participants attending a community college.

(e) The chancellor shall develop an equitable method for allocating these funds to all community college districts based on the relative number of CalWORKs recipients program participants in attendance in each district and shall allocate funds for all of the following purposes:

(1) Job placement.

(2) Coordination with county welfare offices and other local agencies, including, but not limited to, local workforce investment boards.

(3) Child care and workstudy.

(4) Instruction.

(5) Postemployment skills training and related skills training.

(6) Campus-based case management, limited to on-campus assistance and services not provided by county caseworkers that do not supplant other counseling and academic support services funded through existing California Community Colleges categorical programs.

(7) Direct aid designed to meet ongoing basic needs services and resources, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 66023.5.

1. Amends Section 79205 to read as follows:

 (a) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for purposes of subsidized child care shall be used only for children of CalWORKs recipients program participants through campus-based centers or parental choice vouchers subject to rules consistent with those applied to related programs operated by the State Department of Education, including those rules relating to eligibility, reimbursement rates, and parental contribution schedules.

(b) Subsidized campus child care shall be provided to CalWORKs recipients only if they are engaged in welfare-to-work activities pursuant to Section 11320.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, through the completion of their initial education and training plan and for up to three months thereafter or until the end of the academic year, whichever period of time is greater.

(b) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for workstudy shall be used for payments to those employers that currently participate in campus-based workstudy programs or are providing work experiences that are directly related to and in furtherance of student educational programs and work participation requirements. Those payments shall not exceed 75 percent of the wage for the workstudy positions, and the employers shall pay at least 25 percent of the wage for the workstudy positions.

(c) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for workstudy shall be used for payments to those employers that currently participate in campus-based workstudy programs or are providing work experiences that are directly related to and in furtherance of student educational programs and work participation requirements. Those payments may pay 100 percent of the wage for the workstudy positions. These funds may be expended on behalf of a CalWORKs recipient only if the recipient’s total hours of education, employment, and workstudy meet the recipient’s obligations as specified in Section 11322.8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(c) Programs may waive the 25% employer contribution in (b) provided that the number of work study positions will not decrease.

1. Adds and amends Section 79205 to read as follows:

(a) Funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 may be used to provide additional sections of credit or noncredit classes for CalWORKs recipients program participants students if the chancellor determines that a community college district is otherwise unable to offer the additional instructional services to meet the demand for CalWORKs students.

(b) The determination described in subdivision (a) shall be based on fall enrollment information and community college districts shall submit applications to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges by December 1 of each year.

(c) If the chancellor approves the use of funds for direct instructional workload pursuant to subdivision (a), the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall submit a report to the Department of Finance and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by February 15 of each year that includes at least all of the following information:

(1) The enrollment of new CalWORKs recipients program participants students.

(2) An explanation of why additional classes were needed to accommodate the needs of CalWORKs recipients program participants students.

(3) An expenditure plan for the balance of these funds.

1. Adds and amends Section 79207 to read as follows:

(a) As a condition of continued receipt of the funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204, by the fourth week following the end of the semester or quarter term commencing in January of each year, community college districts and colleges shall submit to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges a report, in the format specified by the chancellor, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following information:

(1) How the moneys received for the funded components of special services, as specified in subdivision (e) of Section 79204, were spent.

(2) The number of hours of child care services provided.

(3) The average monthly enrollment of CalWORKs recipients program participants dependents served in child care.

(4) The number of workstudy hours provided.

(5) The hourly salaries and type of jobs in which CalWORKs recipients program participants were placed.

(6) The number of students receiving case management.

(7) The student participation rates, and other outcome data.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that, to the extent practicable, reporting from colleges utilize data gathered for federal reporting requirements at the state and local level.

(c) The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall compile the information received pursuant to subdivision (a) for annual reports to the Legislature, Governor, the Legislative Analyst, the Department of Finance, and the State Department of Social Services, notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, by February 15 of each year.

(d) A report to the Legislature pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be submitted pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code.

1. Adds and amends Section 79208 to read as follows:

(a) First priority for expenditures of any funds allocated in Section 79204 shall be for the support of current CalWORKs recipients program participants.

(b) If the needs of current CalWORKs recipients program participants are insufficient to fully utilize all of the funding allocated pursuant to Section 79204 in a cost-effective way, the chancellor, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, may allocate a portion of the funds allocated pursuant to Section 79204 for the purpose of providing postemployment services to former CalWORKs recipients.

(c) Prior to an allocation of funds for postemployment services pursuant to subdivision (b), the chancellor shall secure the approval of the Department of Finance for the allocations, complete a cumulative report on the outcomes, activities, and cost-effectiveness of the program of funding specified in Section 79204 no later than February 15 of each year, and provide the rationale and justification for the proposed allocation of funds for postemployment services by community college districts for former CalWORKs recipients program participants.

(d) Funds allocated pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be used only for former CalWORKs recipients program participants who have been off of cash assistance for not longer than two years to assist them in upgrading skills, job retention, and advancement, by means of one or more of the following:

(1) Direct instruction that cannot be funded by other means.

(2) Child care to support attendance in classes consistent with this article for periods commensurate with a student’s need for postemployment training within the two-year period.

(3) Job development and placement services.

(4) Career counseling and assessment activities that cannot be funded through other programs.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Allan Hancock College

Butte College

California Community College Calworks Association

California Community Colleges, Chancellor's Office

Chief Executive Officers of The California Community Colleges Board

City College of San Francisco Calworks Program

Community Action Partnership of Orange County

Foothill-de Anza Community College District

Fresno City College

Miracosta Community College District

Mt. San Antonio College

North Orange County Community College District

Rio Hondo College

Riverside City College

Riverside Community College District

Student Senate for California Community Colleges

Victor Valley College

West Kern Community College District

West Los Angeles College

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Ellen Cesaretti-Monroy / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960

1. https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ofa/13th_tanf_report_to_congress_final.pdf ↑

2. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4969 ↑

3. https://ha.saccounty.gov/benefits/CalWORKs/Documents/CalWORKs%20Fact%20Sheet%20Jan%202024.pdf ↑

4. https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/CA%20Public%20Benefits%20for%20Noncitizens%20.pdf and https://www.calworks.org/eligibility-process ↑

5. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calworks-summary/program-overview/about-calworks ↑

6. https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/docs/report/202223calworksreport11a11y.pdf?la=en&hash=636AF76196B31339CF80A0F9245C300A70539217 ↑