Proposed mid-year cuts restored.
Whereas, The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) program provides the education and services that enable students to transition from welfare to self-sufficiency through specialized services such as counseling, child care, transportation, and referrals to community resources;
Whereas, The CalWORKs program provides work-study opportunities that enable participants to develop workplace skills, supplement their income, and meet Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) eligibility work requirements and job placement after completing their programs; and
Whereas, Over 100,000 TANF recipients are enrolled in California's community colleges;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate deplore the draconian cut in CalWORKs funding of $58 million proposed by the Governor in his 2002-2003 budget released in January because of the destructive effects this 90% cut in the budget will have on the ability of the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) students to develop academic and job skills necessary for them to enter the workforce and earn a livable wage;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate urge the Governor to reconsider the damaging effects of cutting the proposed 2002-2003CalWORKs budget to only $15 million for childcare in view of the lifetime limit of five years that a person can receive assistance;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate strongly urge Governor Davis and the Legislature to restore the CalWORKs budget to the2001-2002 level of$65 million; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate provide copies of the Chancellor's Office publication Student Success Portraits (October 2000) to the Governor and legislators to educate them about the role CalWORKs programs have played in moving community college students from welfare to work and thus becoming productive, tax-paying citizens.