Santa Ana College

Amount Appropriated?

$2.0M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

Disadvantaged and vulnerable populations were the most affected by the COVID pandemic: e.g., low-income residents, minorities, immigrants. Economic stability and healthy communities are jeopardized when a large portion of the population are pushed into poverty. To move toward equitable recovery, we need an intentional effort to prepare residents to enter occupations with high-demand and good wages to shift the course of decline. This project will develop complete career education (CTE) pathways for disadvantaged, dislocated or at-risk adult learners that start in non-credit courses (for CTE skill development and prep for credit programs, basic skills, English) and transition to credit certificate and degree programs. Develop these pathways for in-demand occupations and careers in the region to diversify the workforce and broaden engagement and access by marginalized populations. Funding for this will enable dislocated workers, un- and under-employed and working poor to enter occupations that earn family-sustaining wages. The importance for the region is that the project will increasing employment for disadvantaged populations in high-wage occupations is critical for equity and economic development. Due to the high costs of living in Orange County, many families are being pushed into poverty, homelessness or leaving. This reinforces existing inequities as families who can\u2019t afford to live where they work, most of whom are minorities, move to adjacent counties decreasing their quality of life due to long commutes. Further, the out-flow of younger populations and families establishes a problematic trend that could stagnate the regional economy. A population that consists primarily of older, retired people with younger people living elsewhere has been shown in other parts of the nation to lead to stagnate economies. Retaining these residents and preparing them to contribute to a vibrant and growing economy is critical for the vitality of the region.