The CalWORKs Believe Program offers support services to students who receive TANF/CalWORKs benefits.

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 Links to an external site., or submit an appointment request Links to an external site.

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

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 Links to an external site. 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

Student Success

CalWORKs Eligibility

County Forms

Welfare-To-Work Case Information       

 

CalWORKS Believe Team 

CalWORKs Team

San Diego City College CalWORKs team is here to support you. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us. 

Program Coordinator / Counselor 

Mariam Mena mmena@sdccd.edu 

Counselors

Jessica Walton jwalton@sdccd.edu

Ali Gonzalez agonzalez004@sdccd.edu

Fabiola Beck-Threats fbeck@sdccd.edu

Mercedes Tiggs mtiggs@sdccd.edu 

Support Staff 

Yanira Rodriguez yrodriguez@sdccd.edu 

Marianna Smith msmith001@sdccd.edu

Office Address and Contact

Address: San Diego City College CalWORKs Believe Program
1313 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 Room A-354

Contact Phone: (619) 388-3797

Fax: (619) 388-3782

Contact Email: cwkfd@sdccd.edu Links to an external site.

Facebook Links to an external site.

Office Hours:

  • Monday 8:00a.m.-6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday 8:00a.m.-6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.
  • Thursday 8:00a.m.-6:00 p.m.
  • Friday 8:00a.m.-3:00 p.m.