STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

California Community Colleges provides essential skills, vocational education, and undergraduate transfer education with 73 districts, 116 campuses, and 78 educational centers. At Long Beach City College, in 2022-23, we provided “2,314 of certificates, 2,368 degrees and transferred 1,939 students to 4-year universities. Our district’s priorities focus on equity, student success, and enhancing the system’s ability to prepare California’s growth, workforce development, students, and future.

Sponsor and Support Student Parents’ Needs & Provide Afterschool Child Care For Their Children

Overview: LBCC provides afterschool childcare to student parents and is one of the leading community colleges providing services to parents with children ages 6-18. Child care has limited student parents from joining the workforce and advancing their educational attainment. Student parents need reliable child care to remain enrolled and complete their programs, yet many areas need more affordable options.

Position: Sponsor legislation to allow community colleges to provide afterschool care, making the process simpler and more accessible to all students.

Support Cal Grant Reform & Student Financial Aid Support

Overview: Last year, the legislature adopted the Cal Grant Equity Framework through the higher education trailer budget bill, AB 183. This reworking of California’s most extensive financial aid program simplifies and streamlines the program, aligns eligibility with federal financial aid programs, and eliminates barriers that have historically excluded many students with significant financial need. The language was adopted contingent upon funding, expecting that funding will be considered in the 2024/2025 budget process.

Position: Support the implementation of the Cal Grant Equity Framework adopted by the legislature in 2022-23 by funding it in the 2024/2025 state budget.

Strengthen Student Basic Needs And Student Housing

Overview: Two of every three California community college students face at least one basic needs insecurity, including lack of food and housing.

Position: Support budget action and legislative policies supporting our student’s basic needs and housing.

Support College and Career Access Pathways Partnerships (CCAP) & Dual Enrollment

Overview:  Participation in dual enrollment or CCAP program allows students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously, thus decreasing students’ time to complete a college degree and saving them tuition costs.

Position: Support legislation that advances equitable access to degree/certificate/transfer attainment.

Support Investments in the Nursing Workforce

Overview: The Governor’s budget addresses California’s nursing shortage with a proposal to provide $60 million one-time over five years to expand the nursing program capacity in the community colleges and Bachelor of Science in nursing partnerships.

Position: Support the Governor’s proposed funding and advocate for equitable disbursement of funds.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Strengthen and Pass Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Reauthorization

Overview: WIOA is the primary federal workforce development law and largest single source of federal funding for workforce development activities. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) through H.R. 6655, “A Stronger Workforce for America Act.” Through WIOA, State and local Workforce Development Boards (WBDs) can leverage community colleges to develop career pathways that align with shifting workforce demands.

Position: Support WIOA authorization and advocate for additional enhancements to bolster the role of community colleges in workforce development.

Support Pell Grant Reform

Overview: Community colleges enroll disproportionate shares of students who have been under-represented in higher education and the federal Pell Grant remains the most significant form of financial aid helping community college students pay for tuition, books, transportation, and living expenses. Today, approximately one in four students attending community colleges receive a Pell Grant and community colleges continue to demonstrate the value of this investment. At its peak, the maximum Pell Grant covered more than 75% of the cost of college; today, it covers less than one-third.

Position: Support legislation to restore the promise of Pell Grants. This may include reforms to double the maximum Pell, index the Pell to inflation, and expand eligibility to short-term job programs.

Support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Legislation

Overview: California has the largest population of undocumented colleges students and community colleges remain committed to providing Dreamers with educational opportunities. Several bills to establish a mechanism for DACA recipients and other Dreamers to become lawful permanent residents have been introduced.

Position: Support enactment of the Dream Act to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented young people, including students enrolled in DACA, and allow them access to Title IV student aid.

Strengthen Student Basic Needs and Student Housing

Overview: Two of every three California community college students face at least one basic needs insecurity, including lack of food and housing.

Position: Support increased funding for student support programs such as: Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Programs, Childcare Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPS), and other student support programs.

Strengthen Career and Technical Education

Overview: Career and technical education (CTE) provide occupational and non-occupational preparation at postsecondary levels and is a key element of workforce development. Federal investments in CTE aim to increase the number of individuals with industry-recognized credentials to reduce unemployment.

Position: Support increased funding for Strengthening Community College Training Grants program, Perkins CTE program, and the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.