Bill
AB 1829
Expands CREP at California CCs to provide direct basic-needs aid and broader services for CalWORKs recipients, boosting access, coordination, and economic mobility.
Status: Amended and enacted proposal through the 2025-2026 session; moves through Higher Education and other committees with amendments. Sponsor: Mike Fong; Co-sponsor: Isaac Bryan.
Purpose and intent
- Expand and reorganize the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (CREP) within California Community Colleges to enhance educational services and economic mobility for CalWORKs recipients.
- Add direct aid for ongoing basic needs as an authorized special service and clarify program participants (current CalWORKs recipients and certain former recipients) who may receive these services.
- Adjust how work-based on-campus/off-campus experiences are funded, and provide flexibility for waiving the employer contribution requirement under certain conditions.
Key provisions and changes
1. Creation and expansion of CREP services
- Existing CREP framework: Community college districts receive funding (in addition to other education funding) to provide special services for CalWORKs recipients, aimed at self-sufficiency and economic mobility through coordinated campus services.
- New/expanded allowance: Direct aid designed to meet ongoing basic needs and related services may be funded as a CREP special service.
- Eligibility for services:
- Current CalWORKs recipients until their initial educational objectives are met.
- Former CalWORKs recipients for up to two years (subject to existing provisions in Section 79208).
- Coordination: Services must be delivered via coordinated student services at community colleges, with emphasis on long-term self-sufficiency and economic mobility.
On-work-study eligibility: CalWORKs recipients may receive work-study funds only if their total hours of education, employment, and work-study meet obligations under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11322.8.
Funding allocation and program administration
The Chancellor shall develop an equitable method for allocating CREP funds to districts based on the relative number of CalWORKs recipients in attendance.
Allocated funds may be used for:
Substitution and supplementation
Funds allocated under CREP must supplement, not supplant, existing funds and services for CalWORKs recipients attending community college.
Subsidized childcare
Childcare funds under CREP must be used for CalWORKs recipients’ children through campus-based centers or parental choice vouchers, following rules akin to those used by related programs (e.g., State Department of Education).
Costs and reimbursements
If the California State Mandates Commission determines that the act imposes costs mandated by the state, local reimbursements will follow existing state-mandated costs provisions (Government Code Part 7).
Timeline and procedural notes
- Bill text includes standard California legislative process references (referred to committees, amendments, “do pass,” and consent calendar steps). The action history shows a progression through Higher Education and related committees with amendments through March–April 2026.
- The bill is described as modifying Education Code sections 79204 and 79205.
Impact considerations
- Potentially greater access to financial support for CalWORKs students beyond traditional aid, including direct basic-needs assistance.
- Greater flexibility for colleges to structure work-study and on-campus/off-campus opportunities, potentially increasing participation and educational attainment for CalWORKs recipients.
- State costs and reimbursements would be addressed if mandated by the state, triggering mandated-cost reimbursement rules.
Who is affected
- Community college districts and campuses with CalWORKs programs.
- CalWORKs recipients currently enrolled or recently transitioned off CalWORKs (up to two years for former recipients).
- County welfare departments and local agencies coordinating with colleges.
- Employers participating in campus-based work-study programs.
Notes for readers
- The bill emphasizes equity in funding distribution and aims to improve economic mobility for low-income student populations tied to CalWORKs.
- Details on eligibility, specific amounts, and administrative procedures would be implemented through the Chancellor’s allocation framework and related regulations.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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