California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)

College CalWORKs is a collaborative welfare to work program with the Ventura County Human Services Agency. County CalWORKs provides supportive services to students with children who are receiving cash assistance to further their education to prepare them for successful transition into the workforce.

County CalWORKs employment specialists help parents develop and achieve their career goals, and assist with referrals to Ventura College

To participate in College CalWORKs, students require a referral from their Employment specialist at the Ventura County Human Services Agency. Students then meet with the Academic Counselor in the CalWORKs program and identify an educational goal and develop a comprehensive educational plan. The counselor will additionally develop an Individual Training Plan (ITP) once the student is registered for the semester. An ITP assists students with verifying participation hours for their welfare to work requirements.

Available services include:

• Academic counseling, including career planning and referral to other campus resources;
• Completion of county required document, such as an Individual Training Plans (ITP);
• Priority registration for verified participants;
• Assistance with matriculation;
• Advocacy with VC Human Services Agency;
• Educational supplies;
• Computer stations for student use;
• Work study program (eligibility determined by financial aid award).

For general information call (805) 289-6003. Employment specialists send referrals via email on behalf of the student. For more information on the process please visit www.venturacollege.edu/calworks.

Hourly Participation

Under the CalWORKs program, recipients are required to participate in specified welfare-to-work activities.

• For the purposes of an educational activity, the number of hours for study time shall be three hours of study time for each instructional hour or academic unit for an 18 week semester.
  • Short term or late start classes need to be calculated accordingly.
• If a recipient does not meet the total number of hours required through instructional hour or academic units, the county shall assist the student in meeting the required hours.
• Participants in an educational activity who are meeting the hourly participation rate and making satisfactory progress are not required to participate in job club.