Oppose Governor’s 2012-13 Proposals to Cut the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work Program

Spring
2012
Resolution Number
13.04
 
Assigned to
President
Category
General Concerns
Status
Completed
Status Report

Senate representatives will continue to advocate for principles included in this resolution.

Whereas, The Governor’s January 2012 Budget proposes drastic changes to the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work program, cutting critical services to CalWORKs students that would help their education and training on to the path of self-sufficiency, to include, beginning October 1, 2012, cutting the ‘four year /48 months’ time limit down to two years /24 months retroactively, and students will then no longer be eligible for child care and other crucial services;

Whereas, Education and training will no longer qualify as an approved Welfare-to-Work activity after 12 months, and the Self-Initiated (full-time students) participants option will be eliminated;

Whereas, There will be no more exemptions due to disability, domestic violence, substance abuse treatment, or mental health care, and any months which were granted exemption will retroactively count towards their 24 month limit; and

Whereas, Family homelessness has risen dramatically as a result of cuts in cash aid grants to 1987 levels, and thousands are being pushed to an income level almost below the 75% poverty line;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, while recognizing the need to balance the State Budget, oppose proposed cuts to the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work program with their devastating consequences to student-parents and their educational goals.

MSC Disposition: Local Senates