Welfare-to-Work Core Academy

Course Overview

Welfare-to-Work employment programs continue to evolve in response to new challenges and opportunities. Today, these programs are uniquely positioned to empower individuals to achieve meaningful employment and enhance their quality of life within their communities.

This intensive five-module academy is designed for employment services professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge, sharpen their skills and expand their toolkit. Participants will gain practical strategies, best practices and up-to-date resources to better serve families and foster collaborative partnerships with agencies, programs and stakeholders to drive stronger outcomes.

Module 1: Foundations and Program Overview

This module establishes the conceptual and programmatic framework for Welfare-to-Work practice. Participants explore the evolution and purpose of Welfare-to-Work, the Whole Family Engagement framework, the Welfare-to-Work flow, participation requirements and the 60-month time clock. The module emphasizes understanding how the program works before moving into exemptions, compliance and system-specific tasks in later modules.

After attending this module, participants will be able to:

• Describe the historical development and policy rationale behind the Welfare-to-Work program, including its impact on public assistance and employment outcomes
• Review the core mission and values that guide Welfare-to-Work practice
• Articulate the Whole Family Engagement philosophy and approach that guides practice
• Define and explain key terminology, acronyms and participation requirements associated with the Welfare-to-Work program
• Explain at a high level the role of CalSAWS and Cal-OAR in supporting Welfare-to-Work practice
• Explain the 60-month time clock, including when the clock begins and when it stops
• Identify mandatory participants, required participation hours and basic participation requirements

Module 2: Assessment and Engagement

This module focuses on building strong engagement from the beginning of a participant’s Welfare-to-Work journey. Participants explore how orientation, appraisal and assessment processes are not only compliance requirements but also critical opportunities to build trust, gather meaningful information and co-create effective Welfare-to-Work plans. Through guided discussion, practical exercises and case-based activities, participants strengthen their ability to conduct participant-centered, strengths-based assessments aligned with CalWORKs 2.0 principles. Emphasis is placed on communication skills, motivational interviewing and goal setting to support engagement, readiness and long-term success.

After attending this module, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose and key components of orientation and appraisal processes and how these steps support engagement and informed service planning
• Identify and apply special programs and exemptions during assessment to address participant needs and barriers
• Demonstrate rapport-building and communication skills that promote trust, safety and collaboration
• Apply motivational interviewing techniques to explore ambivalence, support behavior change and encourage self-efficacy
• Explain the purpose and key components of the assessment process

Module 3: Activities and Supportive Services

This module focuses on developing meaningful, participant-centered Welfare-to-Work plans that move beyond compliance to support sustainable outcomes.Participants learn to use the SMARTER goal-setting framework to co-create plans that align with participant strengths, address barriers and connect to realistic employment pathways. Through guided discussion, practical exercises and case-based activities, participants build skills in writing effective short- and long-term goals, selecting appropriate allowable activities and connecting participants with supportive services.

After attending this module, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose, components and regulatory requirements of the Welfare-to-Work plan, including participant rights and responsibilities
• Apply the SMARTER goal-setting framework to develop short- and long-term goals that are participant-centered, barrier-aligned and employment-focused
• Identify and select appropriate allowable Welfare-to-Work activities based on individual circumstances, strengths and employment goals
• Explain the types of supportive services available to Welfare-to-Work participants and the processes for authorizing and documenting these services
• Demonstrate skills in collaborative plan development that build participant ownership, motivation and engagement

Module 4: Compliance and Case Management

This module covers navigating the noncompliance process, determining good cause, conducting meaningful compliance conversations, understanding sanctions and cures and implementing ongoing case management practices that prevent noncompliance with empathy and accuracy.

After attending this module, participants will be able to:

• Identify reasons for initiating noncompliance
• Apply compliance period requirements and timelines correctly
• Explain sanction conditions, timing and the cure process
• Identify good cause circumstances
• Navigate CalSAWS to initiate noncompliance
• Complete the NA 840, NA 841 and NA 845 forms accurately
• Conduct cause determination conversations using engagement skills
• Implement ongoing case management practices that prevent noncompliance

Module 5: Integration and Resources

This capstone module brings together the skills and knowledge developed throughout the academy. Participants explore Family Stabilization services and learn to identify crises that qualify for intensive support. The module emphasizes trauma-informed practice, helping workers recognize signs of housing instability, mental health challenges, substance use and domestic abuse while understanding their role in screening versus diagnosing. Worker wellness is addressed through practical strategies to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout. Through a continuing case study, participants apply integrated case management skills across three decision points that mirror real-world complexity. The module concludes with an in-depth review of ACL 25-78, including SB 119 and SB 146, preparing workers for legislative changes that shift CalWORKs from a compliance-focused system to one centered on family stability and participant voice.

After attending this module, participants will be able to:

• Determine when Family Stabilization services are appropriate and identify key requirements for implementation
• Recognize signs of housing instability, mental health challenges, substance use and domestic abuse and respond using trauma-informed approaches
• Identify strategies for preventing compassion fatigue and burnout while maintaining professional boundaries
• Explain how CalWORKs and Child Welfare Services coordinate through Linkages to support mutual participants
• Apply integrated case management skills across multiple program areas using real-world scenarios
• Describe key changes under ACL 25-78, including streamlined processes, expanded activities and sanction reforms