Title: Fast Track To
Work Program
Name of College: Cabrillo College
6500Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
College Contact:
Dena Taylor,
Program Manager
831-479-6147 or
detaylor@cabrillo.edu
Target population:
CalWORKs students
and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funded students seeking success
in postsecondary education and high wage – high demand occupations.
A majority of students are single parents and economically
disadvantaged. A high percentage of participants have learning
disabilities. Thirty-five to 40 percent are Latina.
Goals: To support
student success in the post-secondary educational environment, and
to prepare students to successfully compete for and enter high wage
– high demand occupations.
Description:
The program acts
as a one-stop center for the program’s participating students –
students are oriented to college academic programs and support
services, and needs are assessed. An educational plan is developed,
work study jobs are offered, childcare assistance or referral is
provided, student cohorts (e.g. students enrolled in specific or
related occupational areas) are assembled, and on-going technical
assistance is provided to help students achieve their educational
and occupational goals. Tutoring is offered to students with
learning disabilities or academic challenges, and referrals are
provided for life challenges (e.g. housing, car repair, domestic
violence, etc.). Students are also encouraged to enroll in two
for-credit courses focusing on work readiness and financial
literacy. The program has received support from the community, with
residents funding sports/activity scholarships for the children of
participants, donating children’s and young adult books, and
contributing to fundraising events that help the program deliver
high quality services.
Staffing:
A Program Manager,
Services Coordinator, Program Specialist, County Eligibility Worker,
one or tow part-time Academic Counselors, and Student Workers.
Facilities, equipment, materials:
Classrooms
Costs, funding source: TANF and
CalWORKs funds distributed through the Chancellor’s Office, county
grants, funding from other public and private foundations, and
community donations.
Outreach and marketing:
The program is promoted through local agencies (e.g. county
welfare/public assistance, workforce investment boards and
one-sTop).
Evidence of effectiveness:
In a 2001 follow-up survey of program graduates (n=52), ten percent
had transferred to a four-year college or university. Of the
remaining graduates, 87 percent were employed at an average hourly
wage of $15.02, and 13 percent were actively seeking employment.
Graduates with the highest hourly wages were employed in desktop
publishing, software development, census evaluator, personal chef,
medical surgery nurse, and electronic technician occupations.
Suggestions for replication::
· Communicate and collaborate with other college and regional
CalWORKs programs. Attend workshops and networking events to gather
and share information.
· Join the CalWORKs Association (Alfred Ramirez, President,
818-240-1000, ext. 5018) and become an active member.
· Become knowledgeable about private nonprofit organizations that
are advocates and/or provide research and information that can
benefit your program (e.g. The Western Center on Law and Poverty).