CalWORKs Program

CalWORKs is California's plan for families on public assistance. If you qualify for CalWORKs and want to take classes at Gavilan College, we can provide support to help you reach your educational and employment goals.

Gavilan College CalWORKs provides education, employment training, work study, and support services, including child care and transportation assistance. The goal of the program is to help you increase your wage earning power and become economically self-sufficient.

A counselor/advisor is available to work with the student to develop an educational and employment plan that addresses immediate as well as long term goals.

Come in and talk to us to see how we can help!

CalWORKs In-Take Form:

CalWORKs In-Take Form

CalWORKS Subsidized Employment Program

Gavilan College provides employment training, subsidized work experience, child care and supportive services for CalWORKs students. Through State-funded grant and contracts with Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, CalWORKs may pay up to 100% of the hourly wage for up to 12 months. CalWORKs students are eligible for the program while they attend school. The student may continue with the employer after 12 months if the employer is able and willing to pay a minimum of 25% of the hourly rate. However, the employer is not obligated to continue employment.

How does it work?

Once a CalWORKs student is ready to enter the job market, the CalWORKs staff will work with the student to identify jobs that match his or her education and job skills. Employers who have jobs available in the matched area will then be identified as possible employment opportunities for CalWORKs students. When an employer agrees to consider one of the CalWORKs students, the College staff will refer qualified and pre-screened students to the employer. After the employer has interviewed and selected an applicant for the position, an agreement will be signed between the college and the organization.

Why does the program exist?

The subsidized employment program allows CalWORKs students to get employment training in the "real world". They also get a chance to complete their education, become more confident, and economically self-sufficient. The long-term goal is to provide the student with an educational foundation and entry level job skills that will allow them to continue to grow personally and professionally.

Student benefits:

Gain valuable work experience
Learn how business works
Receive income while they continue to learn
Learn work ethics
Acquire workplace skills
Vocationally prepared and motivated college students
Pre-screened applicant
Minimal paper work
Personal service and follow up from CalWORKs staff
Significantly reduced wage contribution
An opportunity to assist CalWORKs students in becoming self-sufficient
Contribute to the community

Employer benefits:

Vocationally prepared and motivated college students
Pre-screened applicant
Minimal paper work
Personal service and follow up from CalWORKs staff
Significantly reduced wage contribution
An opportunity to assist CalWORKs students in becoming self-sufficient
Contribute to the community

For more information regarding Gavilan College CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program,
please contact Annette Gutierrez at (408) 848-4813 or agutierrez@gavilan.edu

CalWORKs New Student Checklist

	Apply to Gavilan College	Complete the online application form to apply to Gavilan College. After 3 working days, you should receive an email with your Gavilan ID (G#) and instructions on how to proceed.
	Take Assessment Test	Schedule an Assessment Placement test. You can sign up for a test date online. ESL students can sign up for an ESL assessment by contacting the Admissions & Records office. On your scheduled test date, be sure to arrive 30 minutes before the test begins and bring a photo ID! Do your best on the placement test so you won’t waste time in classes you might not need.
	Apply for Financial Aid	Complete the online FAFSA application. Then submit a Notice of Action. Ask your eligibility worker for this if you do not have it already; it must be no more than 90 days old. This will waive your enrollment fees. You will still be responsible to pay for some fees the waiver does not cover.
	Attend CalWORKs appointments	Make appointments with CalWORKs staff by calling 408-852-2838. Meet with the CalWORKs Director for your initial appointment. Be sure to bring the following items: Copy of your Welfare to Work Plan or Notice of Action IEP from high school, or any other learning disability assessment results you may have College transcripts from any other colleges you have attended Meet with a CalWORKs Counselor to register for classes and develop an Education Plan. Meet with a Program Specialist for your TBA schedule to ensure you meet 20/30/35 hrs/week. During your appointments with CalWORKs staff, you will learn about orientation dates and times, review other college programs you may qualify for, and address county-related questions or concerns.
	Pay registration fees	Be sure you pay registration fees before the deadline to avoid being dropped from your classes!
	Turn in documents	Submit the following documents to your CalWORKs worker to begin receiving services such as childcare, books, mileage, etc.: Education Plan Class Schedule TBA

Other Student Support Programs and Services

If you are a single parent, you may qualify for additional benefits and services through the Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE).
If you are a current or former foster youth, you may qualify for Foster Youth Services.
If you meet certain income and education criteria, you may be eligible for Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS).
You may also qualify for CalFresh food stamps to help put healthy and nutritious food on the table.