CalWORKS/TANF Believe Program -
Training, Education and Services

The CalWORKs Believe Program offers support services to students who receive TANF/CalWORKs benefits. Specialized services have been designed to support students in their career, education and personal goals. The program also helps students understand and meet their Welfare-to-Work requirements. Services include vocational/academic counseling, job placement, work study placement and verification of Welfare-to-Work hours. For additional information contact the CalWORKs Believe office at (619) 388-3797 or stop by A-354.

Mission Statement, Shared Values: Shared Vision & Strategic Goals:

CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity & Responsibility to Kids) is a statewide program that assists students who are receiving TANF/cash aid and are participants in the Welfare-to-Work program. Our program's name is called Believe, as we believe our students can overcome any barrier & obstacle that comes their way. Our counselors and staff empower students to achieve their academic, career and personal goals.

Supportive Services

Academic, career and personal counseling
Work study (campus employment that will not affect your cash aid)
Early class enrollment
Student success workshops
Campus Resources and Referral
ITP and Book Request
CalWORKs Break Activities
School supplies your first term at the college (backpack, notebook paper, flash-drive, etc.)

Student Learning Outcomes

The "Believe" CalWORKs program will provide comprehensive educational plans through counseling academic advising sessions with faculty to Believe Participants in addition to Individual Training Plan documentation for county aid.
"Believe" CalWORKs students will be provided work study and job placement opportunities to support efforts towards self-sufficiency.
Through the efforts of the "Believe" CalWORKs program, students will have access to employment skills training with campus and community partners.

Counseling Appointments

Scheduling remote appointments:

If you would like to schedule an appointment over the phone or on ZOOM please contact 619-800-3875, email at cwkfd@sdccd.edu, or submit an appointment request.

* Zoom/Video Conference (signup for a free ZOOM account) - you can prepare by watching this zoom video tutorial.

Scheduling appointments over the phone:

Call the City College CalWORKs line at 619-800-3875, between the hours of 8:00am- 5:00pm Monday through Friday
Be prepared with your CSID and/or CalWORKs case number
You should receive an appointment confirmation email shortly after scheduling your appointment

Scheduling an appointment through email:

Please send an email requesting an appointment to cwkfd@sdccd.edu
The email should include the following information
- Student Name
- CSID
- CalWORKs case number
- Reason for the appointment
- Preferred appointment method such as email, phone call, Zoom meeting
- Best phone number and email to reach you
- Three options of preferred appointment days and times
When scheduling an appointment through email, expect a call back from CalWORKs staff within one 24-36 hours to schedule your appointment, followed by a confirmation email

*We highly recommend you use the appointment request tool when requesting a counseling appointment.

The day of your appointment:

If you scheduled a telephone appointment you should receive a call from your counselor within five minutes from your appointment start time.
If you scheduled a Zoom appointment, expect a Zoom meeting invitation link sent to your email from your counselor within one hour prior to your appointment

If you are not able to keep your scheduled appointment:

Call the college CalWORKs line at 619-800-3875 or email us at cwkfd@sdccd.edu to cancel or reschedule your appointment
Please note that remote counseling appointments will be treated the same as in office appointments and you will need to reschedule if you are more than 10 minutes late to your phone call or Zoom meeting

ZOOM Q&A

General CalWORKs Questions for new and current students
Mondays 10:30am-11:30am @ ZOOM

Student Success

Canvas Student Success Workshops (Login to Canvas and click on â€œCalworks Students City Collegeâ€)
CalWORKs Laptop Computer Loaner Program
CalWORKs Student Handbook