Public social services: benefits for students.
One significant change introduced by AB 870 is the requirement for county human services agencies to designate a staff liaison who will represent the agency on college campuses. This liaison is tasked with ensuring academic counselors and staff are informed about the available social services that could assist students. By enhancing the connection between higher education institutions and social services, AB 870 seeks to improve student access to support such as the CalWORKs program, thereby addressing barriers to enrollment in essential programs.
Assembly Bill 870, introduced by Assembly Member Arambula, proposes amendments to Section 10006 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, focusing on enhancing public social service benefits for students attending institutions of higher education in California. The bill mandates that the State Department of Social Services establish a workgroup that meets quarterly, involving relevant stakeholders to discuss best practices, challenges, and updates on programs that may benefit eligible students. This initiative aims to create a robust network between social services and educational institutions, facilitating access to necessary support for students.
Concerns surrounding the bill may arise regarding its implementation and the effectiveness of the workgroup's recommendations. Some stakeholders might question whether the proposed measures will suffice to significantly boost student engagement and program enrollment. Moreover, the bill emphasizes coordination between county agencies and educational institutions, which may raise issues about resource allocation and the extent of outreach efforts needed to effectively impact students' enrollment in available benefits. Furthermore, securing federal waivers or legal changes as noted in the bill may present additional challenges.