Parenting Scholars
Parenting Scholars is Laney College's CalWORKs program supporting student parents in achieving their educational goals. If you're on public assistance, Parenting Scholars can connect you with essential services to support your journey.
Parenting Scholars is dedicated to offering high-quality academic, career, and personal counseling to support students in achieving their educational and professional goals. We provide case management, track student progress, and facilitate off-campus work experience, as well as on-campus Work-Study opportunities for Alameda County-referred CalWORKs participants who are unable to secure employment after their Job Search. Additionally, our post-employment services assist participants in maintaining employment and achieving long-term self-sufficiency.
Our committed staff creates a supportive environment where Parenting Scholars students can reach their full potential, gain workforce readiness, and receive continued assistance to ensure successful employment retention.
Free Services
- Child Care
- Referral Assistance for Financial Aid (grants, loans & fee waivers)
- Assistance with books & supplies
- Academic/ Career/ Personal Counseling
- Work Readiness Skills Development
- Work-Study/ Work Experience/ Internships
- Job Search/ Placement Assistance
Alameda County Approved Laney Programs
- Air conditioning
- Graphic Arts
- Architectural Engineering Tech
- Hospitality Services
- Bank Teller/Finance Clerk
- Instructional Aide
- Bioscience (Biotechnology)
- Machinist Helper
- Computer Information Systems
- Retail & Merchandise
- Construction Management
- Skilled Trades
- Cosmetology
- Stagecraft
- Culinary Arts
- Welding
- General Office Clerk
- Wood Technology
Laney CalWORKs Work-Study Program
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The goal of the Parenting Scholars work-study program is to provide Parenting Scholars students with employment opportunities while pursuing their educational programs. The Parenting Scholars Program allows students to develop valuable job skills and meet state requirements for participation. See our brochure and flyer.
Getting Started
Parenting Scholars students seeking employment should arrange a time to meet with Parenting Scholars staff for initial evaluation and career consultation.
Currently employed students may not be able to participate in the work-study program. The Parenting Scholars staff is able to coordinate with existing employers to bring students into the Parenting Scholars work-study program and can verify work activity for the county. This benefits the employers, students and county agencies.
- Student Eligibility Update
- School Attendance & Progress Form is no longer required. A form can be provided upon request. Please contact the Parenting Scholars Coordinator for assistance.
Phone: (510) 464-3416
laneycalworks@peralta.edu
Shanice Millican
Phone: (510) 464-3416
laneycalworks@peralta.edu
Location
Building A, Room 201
Office Hours
8:00am - 4:30pm
CalWORKs Eligibility:
Eligibility & Requirements
Who Is Eligible:
- TANF/Parenting Scholars recipients who are receiving cash aid and had or are developing a Welfare-to-Work (WTW) plan that refers them to the college for education and training
- Self-Initiated Participants (SIPs)
- Must be in good standing
- Exempt Parenting Scholars Recipients (must have an educational plan developed with clear goals for completion)
Who Is Not Eligible:
- Sanction Students
- Sanction Student Policy: If a student has been sanctioned during a semester, services can be provided until the end of the semester; sanction must be cured by the end of the semester to continue for the next semester.
- Parenting Scholars students who are not receiving cash aid – only their children are receiving cash aid
- Parenting Scholars students who are not receiving cash aid for themselves, only receiving food stamps
- Parenting Scholars recipients who have “timed-out” of the welfare system (60-month time limit has been reached) and are no longer eligible to receive cash aid
- Tribal TANF
- Individuals on SSI (not receiving Parenting Scholars/TANF cash assistance)
What’s Expected of A Parenting Scholars Student:
- Maintain a 2.00 GPA or “C” average in all their classes
- Meet the 32/35 hour requirement within a county approved program of activities
- Comply with county and Parenting Scholars guidelines
Assessment Services & County Eligibility
CalWORKs Assessment services are now provided by Alameda Department of Social Services (ACDSS) for all Parenting Scholars participants who cannot find employment after Job Search. All Alameda County residents receiving aid through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, formerly Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), unless exempt or deferred for just cause, are required to participate in Parenting Scholars. The program is designed to provide opportunity, choice and support to TANF recipients in their efforts to obtain permanent and unsubsidized employment that is designed to be more than just another government program.
Shortly after orientation and appraisal, a case worker is assigned to each participant. They are assigned to 4 weeks of Job Search, including the following:
- Job Club/Job Readiness
- Supervised Job Search
- Job Placement
- Job Development
- Employment Counseling
Participants who cannot find employment after Job Search are referred to participate in Parenting Scholars where assessment and the development of an employment plan (WTW) is designed based on the participant’s abilities, interests, the results of a variety of achievement and interest inventories, work history, and education. An agreement on an appropriate employment plan is made between the Vocational Counselor and participant. It is signed by both parties and the participant returns to his/her assigned case worker for completion of a contract. Upon completion, the participant is then referred to Laney Parenting Scholars to expedite the “plan.”
Resources
- Parenting Scholars EDUCATIONAL PROVIDERS
- Cal JOBS – State Employment Development Dept.
- East Bay Works – opportunities for employment
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – finding a job and evaluating a job offer.
- CalWORKs at College of Alameda
- CalWORKs at Merritt College
To ensure program efficiency, compliance, and successful student outcomes, Parenting Scholars works closely with Alameda County DSS and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office – Parenting Scholars to determine eligibility and coordinate services according to state, federal, and county guidelines. Eligibility is assessed at the start of each semester. Parenting Scholars is responsible for verifying and tracking student eligibility for all Parenting Scholars/TANF-funded services. These services are managed through the campus-based Parenting Scholars office, and all collaborating on-campus departments must coordinate with the program administrator to verify ongoing eligibility, academic progress, program expenses, and data reporting.
Parenting Scholars also assists students in meeting the “New WTW Rules,” which include a 60-month time limit for CORE/NON-CORE and direct work-related activities. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment — we’re here to help you successfully transition from Welfare to Work.
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