GAIN / CalWorks

Our Mission

Los Angeles Southwest College provides participants with educational opportunities that help enhance their self-esteem and sense of identity. In addition to the benefits of reducing tax expenditures for welfare and increasing tax income from employment of former welfare recipients, the program enables people to become independent and instills in them the confidence and skills they need in the job market. To this end, Los Angeles Southwest College is committed to GAIN / CalWORKs and affirms the principle that individuals have opportunities to develop their full potential, enhance their self-esteem and sense of identity while open access to all remains available.

 

 

CalWORKs & GAIN

CalWORKs (California's Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids Initiative) is a welfare-to-work program designed to move TANF recipients into unsubsidized employment. Acquiring job market skills is a compoennt of this TANF legislation. Students who are in need of Skills upgrade and/or are allowed to acquire a vocational skill must complete the training within an individual time frame that depends on factors and guidelines established for the program. Students enroll in Basic Skills, vocational and occupational courses for certificate or degrees, and short-term vocatinal training classes which include VESL for the English-as-a-Second Language students.

GAIN (Greater Avenues for Independence) was the initiative from the Family Support Act that supported the former AFDC. Los Angeles County uses the established GAIN process to implement CalWORKs. Students who are referred to us from the Department of Public Social Services usually refer to themselves as GAIN students (who are participating in the CalWORKs program).

 

Contact Information

If you need any information or assistance about CalWORKs/GAIN, please use the numbers or address below. We are here to assist you.

 

Telephone
(323) 241-5477
(323) 241-5479
FAX: (323) 241-5488

Postal address

1600 West Imperial Highway
Student Services Center 217
Los Angeles, California 90047

Electronic mail

Dean: Phyllis K. Norwood NorwooPK@lasc.edu

General Information:

Blanca E. Barajas BarajaBE@lasc.edu or

Lillian Johnson JohnsoLJ@lasc.edu

 

Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)

 

What is CalWORKs?

CalWORKs, is California’s Welfare Reform Program replacing AFDC, Assistance to Families with dependent Children. It stems from the Federal Initiative call WORKs (Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids), and of the prefix “Cal” is for California.

 

How do I know if I qualify for CalWORKs?

If you are receiving TANF, you qualify for CalWORKs.

 

What is GAIN? How is it connected to CalWORKs?

GAIN, Greater Avenues to Independence, is Los Angeles County’s vehicle for delivering the CalWORKs Program. GAIN has guidelines that one must follow in order to be in compliance with Welfare-to-Work (WtW) laws. GAIN literally moves individuals from Welfare-to-Work through educational upgrades, job training, and career preparation while offering supportive services that include childcare.

How does a student request to see a counselor?

A student may call Los Angeles Southwest College CalWORKs office at 323.241.5477 or stop by the CalWORKs office in Bungalow 631.

 

Can a CalWORKs participant get financial aid?

TANF recipients at LASC are referred to the Campus Financial Aid Office to acquire a fee waiver for college registration. They may also qualify for other financial aid. Ask the Financial Aid counselor or associate for assistance with other financial aid matters.

 

How does CalWORKs contribute to the College, and it is taking college resources from other students?

CalWORKs Maintenance of Efforts Funds are distributed to all California Community Colleges in order to serve TANF recipients without causing a financial burden for the colleges. Therefore, CalWORKs contributes to the college by providing services needed, but are not generally offered by the college. For example, at LASC, CalWORKs sponsors a Career Services Center that includes Job Development and Job Placement Assistance. This service is open to all students, although special attention is given in placing TANF recipients in jobs and/or starting them on a career path.