CARE Orienation: 1-4

In 1982, the State established the Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program in the California Community Colleges as “a unique educational program geared toward the welfare recipient who desires job-relevant education to break the dependency cycle.”

Presently, 109 accredited colleges in all 71 districts of the California Community College system offer CARE programs and services annually to over 11,000 welfare-dependent single heads of household who seek a viable alternative to continued public assistance for personal and family support. CARE is the only state-funded program of its kind nationwide.

2. What is CARE?

As a supplemental component of EOPS, CARE provides educational support services designed for the academically under prepared, low income, single parent population. Grants and allowances for educationally related expenses (such as child care, transportation, textbooks, and supplies) may be awarded as a means of strengthening the retention, persistence, graduation and transfer rates of these individuals.

Students participating in CARE may choose vocational certificate or license, associate degree or transfer program options. Nearly half of all CARE students seek to transfer to four-year institutions; almost 40 percent choose associate degree objectives; and one-tenth vocational certificates or licenses.

3. Services

Support services provided to CARE students include: assistance with child care expenses, campus meal plan; special counseling and advisement, personal activities and/or workshops (including self-esteem, parenting, study skills); group support and peer networking; help from peer advisors who are often single parents themselves; CARE Club; and information and referrals to campus and community based human services programs.

4. CARE Club

The CARE Club was established to provide and outlet for CARE students and students concerned with issues of being a single parent. The Club is also a valuable social resource giving students an opportunity to network and make connections with other students interested in single parent issues.