California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids (CalWORKs) is California's federally mandated welfare program. The program is designed to assist parents who are receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

Our goal is to assist parents in gaining employment and achieving long-term self sufficiency by providing education and training as welfare-to-work activities.

Our services include academic and career counseling, referrals to appropriate agencies, transfer tours, assistance with childcare, development of employment skills, assistance with materials and transportation, and work study placement. We currently serve over 1,300 students and provide child care assistance to an average of 70 students. We have placed over 900 students into work study positions through the Career Experience Program since 2005.

Each student that participates in the Career Experience Program is required to participate in the CalWORKS Career Academy where they are provided with training in life-long skills that assist them beginning new careers, transitioning between careers, and gaining self knowledge as they move through their career path.

The Career Experience Program allows students to gain job knowledge and expand their experience, which helps them gain marketable job skills as they pursue their education. To participate, students must maintain good academic standing and be enrolled in at least 12 units.

The program also works to recognize those students who are making excellent progress in their chosen major. Last semester 67 students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement.