LaneyWorks puts students to work
Tracey Tate
Issue date: 2/12/09 Last update: 2/13/09 at 10:23 PM PST
Section: News
A wonderful opportunity for becoming employed and self-sufficient is available through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) program at Laney College (LC), also known as LaneyWorks.
Students who are receiving benefits from CalWORKS or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for many supportive services which empower them to enter the workforce with the skills and work ethic that are necessary for success in today's workplace.
The ultimate goal of CalWORKS is to assist parents or guardians to obtain immediate employment. Quite often however, education and the necessary skills for gainful employment are lacking among recipients of CalWORKS, so LaneyWorks is a major support in helping them find jobs in which they can support their families.
Palischer Ratliff, staff assistant at LC CalWORKS says, "Even though my job is to meet and greet students and be the point person in the office, my main satisfaction comes from nurturing students. Many who come in the office have been referred from others on campus programs. Some students are dealing with homelessness, domestic abuse and hunger. Others have learning or physical disabilities and childcare issues. We are able to point them to the resources on campus to help them succeed while in the program."
Outreach for CalWORKS is not only by referral of the Alameda County Social Services Department. The campus LaneyWorks staff proactively recruits students to the program by way of flyers and by giving presentations in other departments such as Cosmetology. Some students are walk-ins, or have heard by word-of-mouth of the CalWORKS program. Many students do not know that they qualify for the program, so the Financial Aid department and Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) frequently refer students to the CalWORKS department for assistance.
CalWORKS is not to be confused with (EOPS) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) which are designed to assist students achieve their educational goals through academic retention and transfer. CARE is a state-funded supplemental support service program for students who are single heads of household with children age 14 and under and who have an active CalWORKS case number. CARE students receive supplemental counseling and advising services, additional study time, childcare services, textbooks, supplies, and meals.
Students who are receiving benefits from CalWORKS or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for many supportive services which empower them to enter the workforce with the skills and work ethic that are necessary for success in today's workplace.
The ultimate goal of CalWORKS is to assist parents or guardians to obtain immediate employment. Quite often however, education and the necessary skills for gainful employment are lacking among recipients of CalWORKS, so LaneyWorks is a major support in helping them find jobs in which they can support their families.
Palischer Ratliff, staff assistant at LC CalWORKS says, "Even though my job is to meet and greet students and be the point person in the office, my main satisfaction comes from nurturing students. Many who come in the office have been referred from others on campus programs. Some students are dealing with homelessness, domestic abuse and hunger. Others have learning or physical disabilities and childcare issues. We are able to point them to the resources on campus to help them succeed while in the program."
Outreach for CalWORKS is not only by referral of the Alameda County Social Services Department. The campus LaneyWorks staff proactively recruits students to the program by way of flyers and by giving presentations in other departments such as Cosmetology. Some students are walk-ins, or have heard by word-of-mouth of the CalWORKS program. Many students do not know that they qualify for the program, so the Financial Aid department and Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) frequently refer students to the CalWORKS department for assistance.
CalWORKS is not to be confused with (EOPS) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) which are designed to assist students achieve their educational goals through academic retention and transfer. CARE is a state-funded supplemental support service program for students who are single heads of household with children age 14 and under and who have an active CalWORKS case number. CARE students receive supplemental counseling and advising services, additional study time, childcare services, textbooks, supplies, and meals.
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