Working Harder for CalWORKS Funding

Re “Community Colleges Fear Loss of Funds for Support Program,” March 5: In the past, California has had enough money to provide not only the federally required level of funding for CalWORKS recipients but to exceed those funding levels to provide an additional variety of programs and services. Given California’s current fiscal situation, the state can no longer afford to provide funding at levels exceeding federal requirements.

Gov. Gray Davis’ proposed spending plan does not eliminate these programs but requires counties to work with community college districts to identify the most effective forms of outreach and service for the CalWORKS population within existing resources. If the county and community colleges believe the CalWORKS model is the most effective for serving that population, they have the discretion to allocate funds to continue its support.

Kerry Mazzoni

California Secretary

for Education, Sacramento