This best practice provides quality childcare, parenting workshops, and consistent support to

single parents while they attend college to gain job skills. Unlike many community

colleges, West Hills Community College District is able to utilize all its CalWORKs

childcare dollars because of close linkages and communication between the campus

Child Development Centers and staff who are identified to serve CalWORKs

participants. On each college campus, counselors and financial aid advisors are assigned

to assist CalWORKs students. These staff members provide information and linkages to

the colleges’ Child Development Centers located on each campus. CalWORKs students

have priority registration for their children and the Child Development Director works

closely with the CalWORKs program to utilize Chancellor Office CalWORKs funding to

support these families while the Single Parent attends school. The College realizes it

cannot serve these students unless their children are enrolled in stable childcare services.

There must be collaboration among college counselors, financial aid advisors, and site

supervisors for each child development center. CalWORKs students often need structured

support, and must be lead to information and campus contacts.

Monthly meetings between Child Development Center Supervisors and CalWORKs

campus support staff to discuss access and procedures to enroll children in Child

Development Centers have contributed to the success of the program.

300 Cherry Lane

Coalinga, CA 93210

(559) 934-2147, cathybarabe@westhillscollege.com