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ACP - Universal Service Administrative Company

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What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.

You are likely eligible if your household's income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant, or Free and Reduced-Price Lunch.

If your household is eligible, you could receive:

Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service

Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands

A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP*

* Through a separate non-FCC initiative, additional no cost plans may be available to Affordable Connectivity Program enrollees. To learn more please visit GetInternet.gov. Provision of a link to this initiative does not imply FCC endorsement of any particular participating provider.
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices (Note: not all internet company offer device discounts.) The internet company will provide the discount to the consumer.

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Home - ACP - Universal Service Administrative Company

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The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.

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California Online Application Portal - Home

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California Online Application Portal - Home

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California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)

Low-income customers that are enrolled in the CARE program receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill.

To request an application form and more information, please contact your utility company or check out their websites for more information. The utilities the Commission regulates are:

Eligible customers are those whose total household income is at or below the income limits indicated below.

Income limits are effective through May 31, 2022.

Customers may also be eligible for CARE if they are enrolled in public assistance programs such as Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), Healthy Families A & B, National School Lunch's Free Lunch Program (NSL), Food Stamps/SNAP, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Tribal TANF.

1 For the CARE Program, electrical corporations with 100,000 or more customer accounts in California offer a 30% - 35% discount as required by Public Utilities Code Section 739.1. Electrical corporations with fewer than 100,000 customer accounts in California offer a 20% discount.

Application forms also are available through numerous community agencies. CARE is funded through a rate surcharge paid by all other utility customers. These income limits may be adjusted each year depending on inflation.

California has a Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB), which was established by the Legislature to advise the PUC on the energy low-income assistance programs of utilities under the PUC's jurisdiction.

Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)

Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which bills applies a 18% discount on their electricity bill. FERA is available for customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Call your electric utility if your family qualifies. Following are the income limits effective through May 31, 2022:
Please contact your utility company for more information on this program and other assistance programs:

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Low-income customers that are enrolled in the CARE program receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. To request an application form and more information, please contact your utility company or check out their websites for more information.

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There is significant evidence to suggest that early treatment has significant benefits. With early detection it is possible to delay or even prevent the onset of chronic psychosis.

It is also shown that early intervention can reduce hospitalization and increase engagement with community services and support resources.

The REACH Team can assist youth and their families to strengthen coping skills, reduce stress and improve all areas of daily life.

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There is significant evidence to suggest that early treatment has significant benefits. With early detection it is possible to delay or even prevent the onset of chronic psychosis. It is also shown that early intervention can reduce hospitalization and increase engagement with community services and support resources.

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Children & Youth (LACY) - Law Foundation of Silicon Valley

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LACY provides immigration screenings and legal services to children and youth. We specialize in providing permanency to immigrant youth who have a history of abuse, abandonment, and neglect through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). We also coordinate services with local immigration organizations to ensure our clients are represented in immigration court.

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Bill Wilson Center : Counseling Services, Housing, Youth Shelter

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Bill Wilson Center is a nonprofit community-based organization serving over 6,000 clients in Santa Clara County annually. It is the mission of Bill Wilson Center to support and strengthen the community by serving youth and families through counseling, housing, education, and advocacy.

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At any given time, there are about 1,000 children in the Santa Clara County foster care system.

Every one of these children has experienced trauma in the form of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment.

Every one of these children deserves to have a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer.

You can have an impact

528 Foster Children with Advocates

150 Foster Children waiting for an Advocate

$3.4M Annual Fundraising Need

Studies show foster children with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer receive more educational and health services; are more likely to find a safe, permanent home; perform better in school; and spend less time in foster care than children without one.

98% of our high school seniors completed high school compared to less than 60% of foster teens in California.

76% of our 3 to 5 year olds were enrolled in preschool compared to 23% of all preschool age foster children in Santa Clara County.

Join our mailing list

Stay up to date with the latest news and events.

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At any given time, there are about 1,000 children in the Santa Clara County foster care system. Every one of these children has experienced trauma in the form of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. Every one of these children deserves to have a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer.

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Hope Services receives highest level of certification from CARF International - an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. More than 10 million persons of all ages are served annually by 7,000 CARF-accredited service providers. Agencies that provide employment services for people with developmental disabilities must be accredited every 3 years to qualify for funding.

Just one of the many complimentary comments from CARF's auditors: "Hope Services has many dedicated and skilled staff members and leaders who clearly advance the mission with care and compassion for the clients. Input from employers, families, and funders indicate high satisfaction with their professionalism and quality if the services provided."

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Hope Services receives highest level of certification from CARF International - an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. More than 10 million persons of all ages are served annually by 7,000 CARF-accredited service providers. Agencies that provide employment services for people with developmental disabilities must be accredited every 3 years to qualify for funding.

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Bay Area Furniture Bank | Furnishing Futures

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The Home Safe Program, was established by Assembly Bill (AB) 1811 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2018) to support the safety and housing stability of individuals involved in Adult Protective Services (APS) by providing housing-related assistance using evidence-based practices for homeless assistance and prevention.

The 2018-19 California Budget Act included a state appropriation of $15 million General Fund (one-time) for Home Safe, available over a three-year period beginning July 2018 through June 2021.

Home Safe offers a range of strategies to prevent homelessness and support ongoing housing stability for APS clients, including housing-related intensive case management, short-term housing related financial assistance, deep cleaning to maintain safe housing, eviction prevention, landlord mediation, and more.

Twenty-five (25) grantees are participating in the Home Safe Program and each program is tailored to meet the needs of the local community.

For more information about the program, see the Home Safe Fact Sheet.

Eligibility/For Whom

Adult Protective Services (APS) clients who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness as a result of elder or dependent abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, as determined by the adult protective services agency.

For Home Safe, "homelessness or at risk of homelessness" is defined in the Welfare and Institutions Code 15770.

How to Apply

The Home Safe program is administered locally. Contact the CDSS Housing and Homelessness Branch to learn how to connect with your local program.

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The Home Safe Program, was established by Assembly Bill (AB) 1811 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2018) to support the safety and housing stability of individuals involved in Adult Protective Services (APS) by providing housing-related assistance using evidence-based practices for homeless assistance and prevention.

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Safety in programs for children and youth is central to the reopening plans for Santa Clara County. Because of this, strict safety protocols are in place to ensure the well-being of all children. Safety measures for programs serving children and youth in Santa Clara County are guided by Santa Clara County Public Health, the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the Department of Social Services, the California Department of Education, and the California Department of Public Health.

To learn more, please visit the Stronger Together: Recovery and Reopening Guide for TK-12 schools in Santa Clara County.

All programs serving children and youth have guidelines for:

Training staff and students

Physical distancing

Face coverings

Arrival and dismissal procedures

Hand-washing and healthy hygiene practices

Cleaning, disinfecting, maintenance, and ventilation

Food services

Group size

Health screenings and testing

Response to suspected and confirmed cases

Additional Resources:

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Safety in programs for children and youth is central to the reopening plans for Santa Clara County. Because of this, strict safety protocols are in place to ensure the well-being of all children.

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Santa Clara County CA Women’s Shelters | Women’s Shelters in Santa Clara County

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IEP Special Education Resources San Jose Santa Clara County - Aspire Advocacy

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IEP Special Education Resources San Jose Santa Clara County. There are challenges to living here. There are also some remarkable support agencies.

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Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen | San Jose Soup Kitchen | Free Meals to Anyone in Need

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Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen | San Jose Soup Kitchen | Free Meals to Anyone in Need

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Soup kitchen located in San Jose, California providing free, hot, nutritious meals across Santa Clara County along with grocery bags and food assistance programs.

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The African American Community Service Agency is available to community members seven days a week. Our facilities open early and close late to accommodate busy schedules. Here are some of the program our community can participate in supporting either via donation or as a volunteer.

The Vision Behind Our Programs

The African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) recognizes education and opportunity are the pathways to a meaningful life. It is reflected in the quote, "Education means emancipation." by Frederick Douglass. The AACSA strives to educate its community in Health & Wellness, Economic Development, Human Services, and most of all Education.

The existence of people from African and African American descent in Santa Clara County continues to scatter and slowly decline. Many of the past residents have relocated to the outskirts of the Bay Area i.e. Tracy, Modesto, Stockton, Antioch, Vallejo or left the state of California entirely. For the 2.4 - 2.8% remaining, the access to centralized culturally relevant community resources, networks of influence, investment, educators, education support systems, products and services have disappeared.

The AACSA Meaningful Life Initiative (AMLI) will ensure the remaining scattered population of African and African American descent is provided the village it needs to thrive, find meaningful purpose in their lives and continue to contribute to the diverse entrepreneurship, ingenuity and economic success of Silicon Valley and Santa Clara County. The AMLI, will host culturally relevant events, celebrations of community, cradle to beyond retirement education support systems, access to county and other social services.

Education

The Beyond School Hours program contains a collaboration of various programs designed to address the educational, health, emotional, awareness, and mental development of youth beyond their school activities. This program includes the following:

AACSA Leadership Academy

Summer Science Camp

Census 2020

Science Technology Art Math (S.T.E.A.M.) on Saturday

Computer Training Center

The Computer Training Center program includes computer education in software/ hardware, multi-media training, and other technology programs. This program model has a controlled environment that is innovative and offers an opportunity for community reintegration with private, public and community partnering.

Young Adults Education Workshop

The Young Adults Education Workshop program provides workshops and seminars designed to prepare young adults in transitioning to adult life. The program includes seminars like interview techniques, resume writing, how to dress for success, financial management, volunteerism etc.

Health & Wellness Program

The Health & Wellness Program provides events, workshops and seminars that deal with the health/mental and emotional development of the community. This program includes the following:

Thursday Senior Brown Bag Distribution

Senior Holiday/Christmas Luncheon

Thanksgiving Food Baskets

Christmas Toys for Tots

Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center Project

The San Jose, the Capital of the Silicon Valley, has always been known for its diversity and cultural crossroads. Historically, African Americans have forefront in civic works, education and technological development in the Silicon Valley. It is because of this cultural richness that created a need for a central location for cultural preservation in the Valley. The Cultural Center Project is a joint venture between the African-American Community Services Agency (AACSA) and the Antioch Housing and Economic Development Corporation (AHEDC) of Antioch Baptist Church.These two organizations have partnered to develop the only Cultural Center of its kind in the Silicon Valley. More than just a Cultural Center, the African-American Cultural Center Project is a state-of-the-art, mixed use, multi-faceted project, encompassing, a new modern "Green built" Community Center, with housing attached. Green build construction derives enhanced benefits in the health, economic, and environmental areas of living thereby improving overall quality of life.This is a community, grassroots endeavor in which the community, businesses, and organizations will be engaged to make this endeavor a huge success. To learn more about this project, how you can be involved and/or join our future monthly newsletter, visit our site at http://www.svaacc.org.

Information Referral Center

The Information Referral Center program provides a web portal in which organizations, churches and other non-profit organizations can post a profile advertising services and activities that are value-added services to the community. The community is able to access the portal to search for organizations that provides a service they are seeking. This portal also provides the ability for organizations to post information that the community find valuable like programs, events and activities that is going on in the community. The Information Referral Center program is designed to meet a major void that has been identified by the community. Community Calendar
Community Resource Center

Information Career Center

The Information Career Center program provides tools, services and activities designed to help the community obtain jobs, intern opportunities and career development. This program provides the ability for visitors to search for jobs and intern opportunities via our computers or binders containing the job listings, interns and volunteer postings. This program also includes organizing and sponsoring job fairs at the Agency, seminars that cover anything from interview techniques to how to dress for success and workshops that allow the community to share their experiences and leads that others may take advantage to obtain a job.Community Resource Center

Referral Network for Social Services

For more information on any of our programs contact the Agency at 408.292.3276 or email us at info@sjaacsa.org If you are interested in working with the Fundraising Committee on any one of the programs listed, please send your interest to us at info@sjaacsa.org. Please include your contact info and which program(s) you are interested in volunteering. We are also accepting donations in which you can specify which program(s) you want to support or you can make a general donation.

Health & Wellness

Economic Development

Social Services

Racial & Social Justice

Family Resource Center (FRC) First 5 Santa Clara County

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Discover the programs the African American Community Service Agency provides for the Black Community in Silicon Valley San Jose. Programs such as the AACSA Meaningful Life Initiative, educating with STEAM activities, Young Adult Workshops, Cultural Center Projects, Career Center & more!

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A federal program to increase capacity to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education, improve conditions for student learning, and improve use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.

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The Office of the County Counsel, Probation Department and Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) have joined forces with the Morrissey-Compton Educational Center, Inc., and Legal Advocates for Children and Youth ("LACY") to comprise the Educational Rights Project ("ERP"). ERP works to ensure that dependents and wards of the juvenile court are enrolled in and attending the appropriate school program, which can include receiving a free appropriate individualized educational program.

The Office of the County Counsel, along with its ERP partners, provides a number of services to families involved in the juvenile court, such as: 1) training social workers and probation officers to identify and advocate for children in need of special education services; 2) supporting parents throughout the special education process by training them of their right to access and secure free services for their child, and in some cases, assigning an educational advocate to provide additional assistance; and 3) providing ongoing training for the juvenile court professionals on educational issues to increase awareness and promote a proactive approach to tackling dependent and delinquent children's educational challenges.

The County Counsel's Office works collaboratively with the schools, various county departments and the courts on systemic issues which have hampered access to services. The office has obtained court orders which allow county schools to release educational information to county agencies, drafted forms which assist in the exchange of information, revised parental consent forms, streamlined the procedure for obtaining and appointing surrogate parents and educational representatives, advised the Judicial Council on pending legislation, and along with other ERP members, serves on a variety of county committees devoted to serving the needs of children with special educational needs.

As of January 1, 2004, ERP has served over 2,000 children. During 2003 over 750 new cases were opened and over 200 cases had ERP advocates assigned to help children and families. Children referred to ERP qualified for special education services in nearly 90% of the cases in which an assessment or re-evaluation was requested.

The Educational Rights Project will continue to remove barriers which have prevented children of the court from succeeding at school and to build bridges between children, their families and the schools. If you would like to learn more about ERP or volunteer to be an advocate, contact Avril Vazquez at (408) 491-4200.

Case Studies

The following are examples of cases and issues which the Educational Rights Project has resolved:

During this school year, a twelve year old boy who was reading at the first grade level was referred to ERP. While he had previously been tested for special education, he was found ineligible for services. An advocate was assigned to the case. She attended an IEP meeting to discuss the test results and found that the child had been tested in English despite the fact that Spanish was his primary language and he had been enrolled in an English Language Development class for the preceding five years. Also, the advocate discovered that the child was on medication for major depression and the school had not considered this fact in finding him ineligible for services. Upon the advocate's request, the boy was retested and reconsidered for services. Unfortunately, during the testing, the principal had the student transferred out of the school and placed in a community school. Through the efforts of the advocate, the student was placed back at his original school, found eligible for special education and placed in a classroom for emotionally disturbed students. The minor is now doing extremely well.

A young boy who was monolingual in Spanish had been tested to determine if he qualified for special education services. Despite his low scores, he was found ineligible for services because of his lack of attendance. After an advocate was assigned to the case, the school district agreed to complete additional testing and subsequently found him to be eligible for services under the "other health impaired" category due to his epileptic seizures. The student was assigned to a Special Day Class with a one-on-one aide to assist him with his English language difficulties. However, before his program had been fully implemented, the school attempted to expel him for a behavior incident on campus. It was agreed that he would be put on home tutoring until his program was fully in place. Subsequently, the boy has returned to school, has been regularly attending his Special Day Class with the aide, is doing very well and making progress both academically and socially.

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The Office of the County Counsel, Probation Department and Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) have joined forces with the Morrissey-Compton Educational Center, Inc., and Legal Advocates for Children and Youth ("LACY") to comprise the Educational Rights Project ("ERP").

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Santa Maria is a non-profit that serves low-income families in San Jose,CA with free food, clothing and educational services.

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I gave to Dress for Success Worldwide to support their global mission of empowering women to achieve economic independence. Join the movement with me and donate to https://bit.ly/2wiOYgT. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

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The Salvation Army Silicon Valley provides a variety of resources for seniors, families, addicts, and children throughout the Bay Area. Here is a list of our main centers and the services they provide. You may contact each center directly to receive help or inquire about a particular service.

San Jose Temple Corps

The San Jose Temple Corps is located in the heart of San Jose at 359 N. 4th Street. We provide youth services, Bible studies, and church services. For general inquiries, please contact Lieutenant Caleb Montes at caleb.montes@usw.salvationarmy.org or call (408) 998-2064.

Senior Nutrition Center

At our senior nutrition center, we provide daily meals for local senior citizens. We are located next to the San Jose Temple Corps at 359 N. 4th Street. In addition to well-planned meals, we also facilitate field trips, play games, throw fun holiday parties, and provide HDTV and DVDs. For more information, please contact Deborah Reynolds, Director, at deborah.reynolds@usw.salvationarmy.org or (408) 282-1165 ext. 3209.

Family Services

Our family services team is responsible for the following programs: Rent & Deposit Assistance, Grocery Assistance, and Clothing Vouchers. For more information, please contact Mark Lopez from our family services department at familyservicessj@usw.salvationarmy.org or call (408) 282-1165 ext. 3210. Visit us during business hours at 359 N. 4th Street, Room 202, San Jose, CA 95112.

Emmanuel House

Emmanuel House is located next to the San Jose Temple Corps at 405 N. 4th Street in San Jose. As a soup kitchen, we provide daily meals for men, women, and children. We are also an overnight men's emergency shelter and transitional program. To get help or learn more, please contact Dan Guhl, Director, at daniel.guhl@usw.salvationarmy.org or (408) 282-1175.

Santa Clara Citadel Corps

The Santa Clara Citadel Corps is located at 3090 Homestead Road in Santa Clara. We provide youth services, after school kids programs, Illuminate for teens, summer day camps, church & worship services, bible studies, home league, and women's ministries. To get help or more information on our programs and services, please contact Paula Wild at paula.wild@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Sunnyvale Grace Korean Corps

The Sunnyvale Grace Korean Corps is located at 1161 S. Bernardo Avenue in Sunnyvale. This location offers youth programs, as well as church services, Bibles studies, and prayer services in Korean. To get help or more information on our programs and services, please contact Captain Aeran Oh at aeran.oh@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Gilroy Corps

The Gilroy Corps is located at 200 5th Street in Gilroy. This location offers youth programs, as well as church services, Bibles studies, and prayer services. To get help or more information on our programs and services, please contact Lieutenant Manuel Gaytan at manuel.gaytan@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Adult Rehabilitation Center

Our Adult Rehabilitation Center is located in San Jose at 702 W. Taylor Street. Our center is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Intake hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM. The ARC provides addiction recovery support and services, work therapy, group & individual counseling, spiritual direction, and life skills development. To get help or more information on our addiction recovery services, please contact Major John Desplancke at John.Desplancke@usw.salvationarmy.org or call (408) 298-7600.

Salvation Army Family Store

Our local family stores are located in San Jose at 702 W Taylor Street and 1522 Winchester Blvd. When you shop at our Family Stores, the proceeds are used to fund our Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where those struggling with drugs and alcohol find help, hope, and a second chance at life. To schedule a pick-up or find a drop-off location, head to The Salvation Army Truck page or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).

Fill out the form below and we will reach out to you with the appropriate information.

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Contact The Salvation Army Silicon Valley - Silicon Valley

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The Salvation Army Silicon Valley provides a variety of resources for seniors, families, addicts, and children throughout the Bay Area. Here is a list of our main centers and the services they provide. You may contact each center directly to receive help or inquire about a particular service.

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SVBC is a non-profit whose mission is to promote increased/everyday cycling in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties as a central solution to the environmental, health, and social problems facing our planet. The Western Wheelers Bicycle Club is proud to support, and regularly donates to, SVBC. We encourage Western Wheelers members to join SVBC.

California's bicycle clubs organized into a single federation called the California Association of Bicycling Organizations in 1972 to protect bicyclists' interests statewide and to encourage, maintain, and improve bicycling conditions. Volunteers foster and promote a favorable climate for bicycling in California by representing the interests of cyclists before the appropriate governmental bodies to protect their rights and promoting laws, policies, and actions that treat cyclists equitably.

is a non-profit safety/advocacy group. Begun in 2014, the "WalkBikeCupertino group works with the Cupertino City Council, the Bicycle/Pedestrian group and various other civic groups. From safe routes to school to identifying bike/pedestrian projects to communicating needs at the Cupertino Bike Commissions meetings, this group promoted being and walking in Cupertino. See Walk Bike Cupertino http://www.walkbikecupertino.org.

Charitable Opportunities

Plus3Network lets you turn your miles (or other sports/workout activity) into donations to worthy causes from corporate sponsors. Registration is free. Why not turn your Western Wheelers miles into money for a good cause?

The Bike Exchange has facilities and programs to provide refurbished bicycles to the underprivileged. The Bike Exchange accepts donated bikes and party. Volunteers repair/fix up these bikes and they are given to kids and adult who need wheels. Some of the donated bikes that are fundamentally sound enough that after cleaning and repair they are offered at a nominal cost to help cover the costs of the exchange. This is a good source for a starter or second bike. Many of the road bikes are entry or intermediate level bikes for "Women" (46-48-50-52cm sizes). Twice a month, the Bike Exchange has Saturday Work Days at the Leghorn Street facility. If you have worked on bikes, or if you would like to learn how to work on bikes, we would like to have your help. There are experts available to help out those who need it. Other Western Wheelers frequently help repair bikes for this good cause.

Good Karma Bikes, San Jose. We reinvest the money we make in our full-service bike shop to employ people in recovery and to help their re-entry. We call this transitionary employment; people demonstrate that their recovery is on firm ground and they are ready to get back in the game. Western Wheelers members frequently help repair bikes for this good cause.

Canary Foundation.The Canary Challenge is an annual cycling event and 5km walk/run that starts and ends in Palo Alto, California. Each year, Western Wheelers fundraise to benefit early cancer detection research.

The TWFK is an all-volunteer organization that provides bikes and helmets to kids to prevent childhood obesity and support low-income families. It works in partnership with community groups such as the Valley Medical Center Foundation and the Santa Clara Fire Department, as well as corporate sponsors such as Specialized Bicycles, Raleigh America and and the San Francisco 49ers.

Each year on a Saturday morning early in December TWFK hold their (BBB) at the San Jose Convention Center, where hundreds of volunteers from many different clubs and companies come together to assemble a few thousand bikes to be given away to deserving kids. The Big Bike Build Western Wheelers participate each year.

The Stanford Blood Center The hospitals that the Stanford Blood Center serve need a constant supply of blood products, particularly for preemies, cancer treatments, and complicated transplants. A liver transplant, for example, sometimes requires 40 or more units of blood. Stanford Blood Center is honored that the Western Wheelers have supported local patients by giving blood as a group since 2012. You are an important part of a life-saving team!

So come out and join your fellow Wheelers at the Hillview Center. Refer to the Western Wheelers Events Calendar for the next scheduled Western Wheelers donation day.

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Western Wheelers Bicycle Club - Advocacy & Charity

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Recreational road-bicycling club whose rides concentrate on the San Francisco Peninsula from Burlingame to Los Gatos in the South Bay. We venture as far as Sonoma County, the coastline from SF through Carmel, and parts of the East Bay. We are a non-profit based in Palo Alto.

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Our City " Departments A-F " Community Development " Housing & Community Services Division

Emergency Assistance Network

The Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) provides various critical resources for eligible low-income households to prevent homelessness and hunger. Services may include: one-time rent and mortgage payment assistance, move in costs for rental deposits, information and referrals, food distributions, case management, job training, etc. To find the full list of services and programs see the Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) flyer here. For assistance in Santa Clara call:

The Salvation Army
408-247-4588 ext.3313

Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program

TBRA provides housing assistance in the form of deposits and rental subsidies for up to 12 months (along with case management services) to families with children experiencing homelessness, those fleeing domestic violence, or families with children that are at risk of homelessness.

To be eligible to receive assistance, families must:

Have a household income at or below 60% AMI (2 people - $75,840 3 people - $85,320, 4 people - $94,740, 5 people - 102,360);

Reside in or have proof of a last permanent address in the City of Santa Clara, or

Are currently working or have a verifiable job offer in the city; or

Have children in Santa Clara schools.

Interested parties may contact Abode Services at 510-657-7409 or Bill Wilson Center at 408-243-0222. Families will go through the County's Coordinated Assessment to determine if other services are needed then will be put into the County Queue for referral to Santa Clara's TBRA program if appropriate.

Non-Profit Agencies

If you are in search of homeless assistance and prevention programs, you may reach out to the following agencies:

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Our City " Departments A-F " Community Development " Housing & Community Services Division The Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) provides various critical resources for eligible low-income households to prevent homelessness and hunger. Services may include: one-time rent and mortgage payment assistance, ­ move ­in costs for rental deposits, ­ information and referrals, food distributions, case management, job training, etc.

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An Emergency Shelter is a place where homeless people facing a housing crisis or fleeing an unsafe situation can live temporarily. Emergency shelters provide critical services to individuals and families in crisis. In an effective crisis response system, emergency shelters help people quickly exit homelessness. The Office of Supportive Housing collaborates with many service providers to operate two kinds of emergency shelters throughout the Santa Clara County - Year-round shelters and Cold Weather Shelters. While year-round emergency shelters operate all through the year, seasonal/cold weather Shelters provide a respite from the cold weather to homeless individuals and families in the Santa Clara County.

If you are in need of shelter services, please contact the Santa Clara County Here4You Hotline at (408) 385-2400. The hotline team is available 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm to assist with shelter placements. Additional information on the Santa Clara County Shelter Hotline can be found at the " I Need Shelter​" page.

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An Emergency Shelter is a place where homeless people facing a housing crisis or fleeing an unsafe situation can live temporarily. Emergency shelters provide critical services to individuals and families in crisis. In an effective crisis response system, emergency shelters help people quickly exit homelessness.

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Who is it for?

CalFresh is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.

Expansion of CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients!

Beginning June 1, 2019, recipients of SSI/SSP benefits may be eligible for CalFresh Food benefits for the first time! There is no change to the SSI/SSP monthly benefit. To learn about this policy change, see the Expansion of CalFresh to SSI Recipients Partner Flyer located here: ( English) ( Spanish).

For more information on how SSI recipients may apply for CalFresh Food benefits, visit CalFreshFood.org.

How to Apply:

Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese (pending).

CalFresh Info Line 1-877-847-3663.
Available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Russian.
For speech and/or hearing assistance call 711 Relay.

Find your county office contact.
Interpretation services available in all languages.
Reasonable accommodations available.

Already Getting CalFresh?

If you have questions or problems with your CalFresh benefits, contact your county social services agency.

The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. The CalFresh Program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs.

Making America Strong

"Making America Stronger" commemorates the 30th anniversary of the reforms achieved by the Food Stamp Act of 1977 by telling the story of how food stamps dramatically reduced the extent of severe hunger in our country, how they continue to help Americans in need, and how this essential program can achieve still more. Watch the historic video.

Other Resources

The following are not administered by CDSS, but may be of interest to those who receive CalFresh benefits:

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CalFresh is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. Beginning June 1, 2019, recipients of SSI/SSP benefits may be eligible for CalFresh Food benefits for the first time!

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The Medi-Cal Program currently offers dental services as one of the program's many benefits. Under the guidance of the California Department of Health Care Services, the Medi-Cal Dental Program aims to provide Medi-Cal members with access to high-quality dental care. This website provides important information about the Medi-Cal Dental Program for members and providers.

Visit SmileCalifornia.org to access the latest member resources and learn more about the importance of oral health.

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The Medi-Cal Program currently offers dental services as one of the program's many benefits. Under the guidance of the California Department of Health Care Services, the Medi-Cal Dental Program aims to provide Medi-Cal members with access to high-quality dental care. This website provides important information about the Medi-Cal Dental Program for members and providers.

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Under the guidance of the California Department of Health Care Services, the Medi-Cal program aims to provide health care services to about 13 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The Medi-Cal program adjudicates both Medi-Cal and associated health care program fee-for-service claims. This website provides important information for all Medi-Cal providers, submitters and others on how to access fee-for-service billing, transaction and support services.

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Under the guidance of the California Department of Health Care Services, the Medi-Cal program aims to provide health care services to about 13 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The Medi-Cal program adjudicates both Medi-Cal and associated health care program fee-for-service claims. This website provides important information for all Medi-Cal providers, submitters and others on how to access fee-for-service billing, transaction and support services.

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The Bureau of Automotive Repair's Consumer Assistance Program offers eligible consumers repair assistance and vehicle retirement options to help improve California's air quality. Review eligibility requirements and apply online.

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Children & Youth (LACY) - Law Foundation of Silicon Valley

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LACY provides immigration screenings and legal services to children and youth. We specialize in providing permanency to immigrant youth who have a history of abuse, abandonment, and neglect through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). We also coordinate services with local immigration organizations to ensure our clients are represented in immigration court.

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An online homework and study tools for kids and adults.

Live tutoring.

Create flash cards.

Practice tests for SAT and GED.

Prepare for U.S. Citizenship Test.

Discover college majors and careers that match your skills and interests.

Biography In Context is for those seeking contextual information on the world's most influential people.

It's built on a foundation of more than 650,000 biographical entries covering international figures from all time periods and areas of study, providing coverage of the most searched and studied people.

An online homework and study tools for kids and adults.

Live tutoring.

Create flash cards.

Practice tests for SAT and GED.

Prepare for U.S. Citizenship Test.

Discover college majors and careers that match your skills and interests.

New!

The Spanish version of Britannica Scholar.

Impulse su investigación con esta enciclopedia fácil de usar para estudiantes en edad escolar.

Artículos, imágenes, videos y fuentes primarias.

Para estudiantes de la primaria o secundaria.

Traduzca o escuche los artículos.

La creación de una bibliografía es fácil al usar las herramientas de citaciones.

New!

Jump start your research with this easy to use encyclopedia for school-age students.

Articles, images, videos and primary sources.

For elementary, middle or high school students.

Translate, or listen to articles.

Citation tools make creating a bibliography easy.

Great resource for book reports, English papers, and exams.

Literature notes on commonly assigned books.

Test prep and study guides.

New!

Provides detailed cultural information on over 200 countries, all 50 states in US and the Canadian provinces and territories. Includes four editions:

World Edition

Kids edition

States edition

Provinces edition

HyperHistory is an expanding scientific project presenting world history with an interactive combination of synchronoptic lifelines, timelines, and maps.

Infoplease is a free reference site, and it provides Homework Help on many subjects.

New!

Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts.

software development

business and project management

creative skills and software training (Adobe, 3D animation, film making, etc.)

Access

Desktop users: Enter your library account number and PIN with our special link.

Mobile users: Use library code "paloaltocitylibrary" and then enter your library account and PIN on the following screen.

This resource is provided by the California State Library and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Workforce Development & Support program. Palo Alto City Library has access from Oct 1, 2021 to Sep 30, 2022.

New!

Kids can explore topics in science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space through this multi-media collection of:

Videos

Pictures

Books

Magazines

Made possible through the California State Library.

News from over 2,000 local, regional, and national publications.

Newspapers, journals, newswires, broadcast transcripts, and videos.

Thousands of obituaries

From 53 States and Territories.

Customize news alerts on specific topics.

1978-present.

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An online homework and study tools for kids and adults. Live tutoring. Create flash cards. Practice tests for SAT and GED. Prepare for U.S. Citizenship Test. Discover college majors and careers that match your skills and interests. Biography In Context is for those seeking contextual information on the world's most influential people.

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Sarah Drinkwater, PhD., is a dedicated Special Educator with program management experience at the state and school district levels. She is knowledgeable about services for students experiencing disability from preschool through post-secondary. She has worked with children and students with a variety of disabilities, including students eligible for 504 Plan accommodations. Working collaboratively, with respect, is key to her success in the field.

Dr. Drinkwater is experienced in mediation and due process procedures, having participated in hearings (cases) and resolution sessions at the district/administrative law judge level, as well as civil actions in state and federal court.

Dr. Drinkwater has both Doctorate and Master's degrees in Special Education from the University of Oregon. Her 33-year educational career includes positions as Executive Director of Student Services, Director of Special Education, Assistant Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the State of Oregon. She has taught Master's level Special Education courses at the University of Oregon, the University of Washington and the University of Nevada, Reno.

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Bridging Advocacy: Special Education Facilitation & Partnership

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Special Education Advocacy, Facilitation & Partnership

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Sarah Drinkwater, PhD., is a dedicated Special Educator with program management experience at the state and school district levels. She is knowledgeable about services for students experiencing disability from preschool through post-secondary. She has worked with children and students with a variety of disabilities, including students eligible for 504 Plan accommodations.

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Show Menu: Teens Teens’ Homepage
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Parents of children with disabilities from ages three through twenty-one have specific educational rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These rights are called procedural safeguards. Individuals serving as surrogate parents and students aged eighteen receiving special education services, are also entitled to these rights.

A number of staff in the child's district and special education local plan area (SELPA) may answer questions about the child's education and the parents' rights and responsibilities. When the parent has a concern, it is important that they contact their child's teachers or administrators to talk about their child and any problems they see. This conversation often solves the problem and helps maintain open communication.

Parents must be given opportunities to participate in any decision-making meeting regarding their child's special education program. Parents have the right to participate in individualized education program (IEP) meetings about the special education eligibility, assessment, educational placement of their child and other matters relating to their child's free appropriate public education (FAPE).

When a parent cannot be identified or located, a district may appoint a surrogate parent to represent a child with a disability.

What Are Parents' Rights in California Special Education?

Parents and students over age eighteen have the right

Parents have the right to refer their child for special education services, to participate in the development of the IEP and to be informed of all program options and alternatives, both public and nonpublic.

Parents have a right to receive prior written notice, in their native language, when the school district initiates or refuses their request to initiate a change in their child's identification, assessment, or educational placement in special education.

Parents must provide informed, written consent before their child is assessed or provided with any special education services. Parental consent must also be provided before any change in special education services may occur. The district must ensure that parents understand proceedings of the IEP team meeting including arranging for an interpreter for parents with deafness or those whose native language is other than English.

Parents may refuse to consent to an assessment or the placement of their child in special education.

Children must be assessed for special education through the use of methods that are not culturally biased or discriminatory.

If parents disagree with the results of the assessment conducted by the school district, they have the right to ask for and obtain an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense.

The parent is entitled to only one IEE at public expense each time the public agency conducts an evaluation with which the parent disagrees.

When a parent requests an IEE at public expense, the school district must, without unnecessary delay, either ensure that an IEE is provided at public expense, or request a due process hearing if the district believes their assessment was appropriate and disagrees that an IEE is necessary. The school district also has the right to establish the standards or criteria (including cost and location) for IEEs at public expense.

Parents have a right to inspect, review, and obtain copies of their child's educational records.

If parents disagree with the district regarding their child's special education placement or a proposed change in placement, the law requires the student to "stay put" in the current program until the dispute is resolved.

Parents have the right to present a complaint relating to the provision of a FAPE for their child; to have an attorney, an advocate, and the student, if appropriate, present at the due process hearing; and to make the hearing public. Under certain conditions, the hearing officer may award, reduce, or deny the reimbursement of attorneys' fees and fees paid to nonpublic institutions by parents in the settlement of a case. To request a due process hearing or to receive a complete notice of procedural safeguards related to a due process hearing, contact the Office of Administrative Hearings (see contact information below).

Parents are encouraged to consider settling disagreements regarding their child's special education program through voluntary mediation, a process through which parties seek mutually agreeable solutions to disputes with the help of an impartial mediator. Mediation is available for:

1. Mediation of State Complaint - the California Department of Education is required to offer mediation to the parent or the local educational agency (LEA) but both must agree, and participation is voluntary.

2. Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) Mediation Only - Parent or LEA may file for OAH mediation only. Participation is voluntary.

Parents may seek mediation alone or separate from due process, or they may participate in mediation pending a due process hearing. Mediation cannot be used to delay parents right to a due process hearing.

If parents believe their child's school district has violated the law, they may file a complaint with the California Department of Education. The Department must investigate complaints alleging violations of noncompliance with IDEA, state special education laws, or regulations, and issue a written report of findings within 60 days of receiving the complaint.

There are specific rules regarding the suspension and expulsion of students with IEPs. Generally, a student with a disability may be suspended or placed in an alternative educational setting to the same extent that these options apply to students without disabilities.

If the student with a disability is in such a placement for more than ten days, an IEP meeting must be held to consider the appropriateness of the child's current placement and the extent to which the disability is the cause of the misconduct. Regardless of the child's placement, the district must provide FAPE

School districts are responsible for identifying, locating and assessing students with disabilities enrolled in private schools by their parents. However, school districts are not required to provide special education or related services to these students. There is no entitlement for services, though some private schools and students attending private schools may receive some services from the school district.

Additional Resources

This notice is an abbreviated summary of procedural safeguards under federal and state laws (20 United States Code Section 1412[d]; 34 Code of Federal Regulations 300.504; California Education Code sections 56301[d][2], 56321, and 56341.1[g][1]). Special Education Rights of Parents and Children, a more extensive description of these rights, is available from the California Department of Education, Special Education Division.

To obtain more information about parental rights or dispute resolution, including how to file a complaint, contact the California Department of Education, Special Education Division, Complaint Support Unit, by telephoning 800-926-0648 or writing to:

Email: speceducation@cde.ca.gov
Fax: 916-327-3704

California Department of Education
Special Education Division
Complaint Support Unit
1430 N Street, Suite 2401
Sacramento, CA 95814

To file for mediation or a due process hearing, contact:

Office of Administrative Hearings
Special Education Division
2349 Gateway Oaks, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833-4231
Telephone: 916-263-0880
Fax: 916-376-4207
Secure Electronic Filing

Hearings and Mediations Accessibility and Accommodation Program Guidelines (Posted 17-Oct-2018)
This web page states a California Department of Education contractor conducting special education hearings and mediations must have and follow policies and procedures for equitable services to all participants.

Last Reviewed: Thursday, August 31, 2023

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A brief summary of Procedural Safeguards for students with disabilities receiving special education services.

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CREDIT: FERMIN LEAL/EDSOURCE TODAY

More than 1.3 million low- and middle-income students attend California's public colleges and universities each year without having to pay tuition, thanks to financial aid programs in each of the state's higher education systems that cover those bills.

A California law that allows for a free first year of tuition at the state's community colleges made headlines in 2017.

But close to half of students at the 114 California Community Colleges already attended tuition-free before the law was signed. At four-year universities, about 60 percent of students in the 23 campus California State University system, and the same share of in-state undergraduates in the 10-campus University of California system, attend tuition-free as well.

The new law, AB19, allows for community colleges to cover tuition for all students, regardless of income. Its impact is uncertain, though - each community college will decide whether to use the money they receive under the law for that purpose.

What does 'free tuition' mean?

UC, CSU and the community colleges each pledge to cover the cost of tuition for students who meet certain eligibility standards, typically based on income. Tuition in the Community College system is $46 per unit, so a student taking a full-time load of 12 credits per semester would have to pay $1,104 if they did not get any aid. At CSU, tuition runs $5,742 per year for a California resident attending full-time. And at UC, in-state undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees are $12,630.

How do I apply for free tuition?

The first step to receive tuition aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, for undocumented students, a California Dream Act application each year. The free-tuition initiatives at UC, CSU and the community colleges use information from those forms to automatically determine students' eligibility, so students don't need to fill out a separate application for the programs.

How do free-tuition programs relate to state and federal financial aid?

Although they aren't billed as "free-tuition" initiatives, and they may not cover all of students' tuition costs, Cal Grants from the state and Pell Grants from the federal government are the main financial aid programs that help students afford higher education in California.

At four-year public universities, more students receive Pell and Cal grants than benefit from the free-tuition programs detailed in this article.

Cal Grants, which provided $1.9 billion worth of aid to 329,000 students at public and private colleges in the 2016-17 school year, are among the most generous state financial aid programs in the country. Students' eligibility and the size of their awards are linked to students' family income and assets. Learn more about Cal Grants here.

Pell Grants from the federal government provided grants of up to $5,920 in the 2017-18 school year.

At the California Community Colleges, the most common form of aid that covers tuition costs is the College Promise Grant, formerly known as the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (see below for more details). Students at the community colleges can also receive Cal Grants and Pell Grants to cover other college costs.

Do free-tuition programs pay for other costs, such as student housing?

Free tuition does not equal a free college education. Financial aid programs typically leave students on the hook for other costs that can prove daunting, such as textbooks, food and California's ever-pricier housing.

Students may be able to use financial aid from other sources, such Pell or Cal grants, to handle non-tuition costs. But rules for doing so vary depending on the program. Students may have to pay out of their own pockets, or take out loans, to cover those costs.

What about my local college's 'Promise' program?

You may have heard about a free-tuition "Promise" program at a college near you. Dozens of cities, school districts and colleges in California have set up College Promise programs that provide grants and support services, such as mentoring and student advising.

While their names are similar to the free-tuition program at the California Community College system, local College Promise initiatives are different.

The system's College Promise Grant is a state-wide program that waives enrollment fees and is available at all of the community colleges. Local College Promise initiatives are typically tied to a single college, and are more varied. There are 42 such programs across California, each with its own eligibility rules and financial awards, ranging from grants to pledges to cover as many as four years of free tuition.
Learn more about College Promise programs here.
Adding to the confusion, students participating in local College Promise programs are also often eligible to receive a College Promise Grant.

The L.A. College Promise initiative, for instance, offers one year of free tuition in the Los Angeles Community College District to graduates of the city's public schools, regardless of their income levels. Most of the program's over 4,000 participants last year already had their tuition bills covered under the College Promise Grant described below. But by participating in L.A. College Promise, they gained access to a range of supplementary services, which include mentoring, academic advising and a summer transition program.
Click the boxes below for a breakdown of statewide programs that are available to cover tuition costs at California's public colleges and universities, in addition to aid from Cal and Pell grants.
California Community Colleges

College Promise Grant

Formerly known as the Board of Governors Fee Waiver, this program covered tuition for about 1 million students, or nearly half of the 2.1 million students enrolled in the 114-campus community college system. The average waiver was worth around $800 in the 2016-17 school year.

Who is eligible? To qualify for a fee waiver, you must be a full- or part-time student who falls into one of three categories:

Receive public assistance, such as food aid or housing aid;

Have income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level;

Based on your FAFSA or the Dream Act application, have $1,104 worth of financial need, defined as the difference between the total cost of attending college and your expected family contribution.

The program is open to students of all ages, as well as undocumented students.

To stay eligible, students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average in half of their classes.

How does it work? The program waives tuition before other scholarships or grants are taken into account. That means students can use other financial aid, such as Pell and Cal grants, to pay for their living expenses.

Does the College Promise Grant program pay for living expenses? Generally, no. The new free-tuition law could change that, however.

What will the new California law that could offer a year of free tuition to all students at some community colleges do? The law (AB19 described above) could start providing free tuition to first-year, full-time students, regardless of their financial need, in the fall of 2018 with $46 million of state funding. To receive that money, colleges will have to provide student support and advising services, similar to those in local College Promise programs.

But colleges aren't required to use the money they receive under the law to cover tuition for every student. The law requires only that the colleges put the money toward several goals spelled out in the law, such as closing achievement gaps.

Where can I learn more? icanaffordcollege.com

California State University

State University Grant

CSU officials estimate that 60 percent of their nearly 500,000 students pay no tuition thanks to Cal Grants, fee waivers granted to students who fall into certain categories and the State University Grant program.
Go here to see if you fall into one of the categories that might qualify for a fee waiver to cover tuition costs at CSU.
The State University Grant is aimed at students who don't receive Cal Grants. Many of the program's beneficiaries are older students who are returning to college after being out of high school for several years, or those who otherwise lost their eligibility for a guaranteed Cal Grant.

About 135,000 CSU students received State University Grants waiving tuition in the 2016-17 school year.

Who is eligible? Students from families making less than $70,000 per year typically receive State University Grants that cover tuition and fees.

Each of the system's 23 campuses sets its own rules for State University Grants. They generally target the awards to California residents who have expected family contributions of $4,000 or less, and who apply by March 2. Students can still receive aid if they apply after March 2.

The program does not guarantee that every eligible student will receive a grant that covers the full cost of tuition and fees, because the need for the grants outstrips available funding at some campuses.

State University Grants are available for California resident undergraduates and graduate students. Undocumented students and students who meet criteria under AB540 - a law that allows certain non-residents to pay in-state tuition - are eligible as well.

How does it work? The State University Grant covers tuition outright. Other forms of financial aid such as Pell Grants can then be used to pay other college costs.

Does the program pay for living expenses? The maximum State University Grant award at most campuses is capped at the cost of tuition and fees.

Where can I learn more? Visit CSU's State University Grant webpage.

University of California

Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan

In the 2016-17 school year, 104,000 UC undergraduates - 58 percent of in-state undergraduates - paid no tuition.

The vast majority of those students had their tuition covered by Pell Grants, Cal Grants and other financial aid. For eligible low- and middle-income students who still had tuition costs remaining after those forms of financial aid, the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan provides an extra award to cover the gap.

Who is eligible? California resident undergraduates from families with incomes below $80,000 per year who demonstrate financial need through FAFSA.

Students who are exempt from nonresident tuition are eligible, as are undocumented students and students of all ages, though they must be in their first four years as a UC undergraduate or their first two years as transfer students.

Students must submit a FAFSA or a Dream Act application, as well as a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, by March 2. They must also be enrolled at UC at least half-time.

How does it work? The plan pledges to cover any difference between the total cost of tuition and what students' other financial aid awards, such as Pell and Cal Grants, provide. Because it takes that aid into account, students at UC may not be able to use money from other grants and scholarships to pay for their living expenses.

Does the program pay for living expenses? It depends. UC's financial aid system takes the full cost of attendance - both tuition and living expenses - into account when determining how much aid students receive, so those with greater need can receive aid to cover some expenses. The average grant aid awarded to California students in 2016-17 was $17,000, more than $4,000 above the cost of tuition and fees.

Where can I learn more? Visit UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan webpage.
To get more reports like this one, click here to sign up for EdSource's no-cost daily email on latest developments in education.

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Quick Guide: Tuition-free college in California

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CREDIT: FERMIN LEAL/EDSOURCE TODAY More than 1.3 million low- and middle-income students attend California's public colleges and universities each year without having to pay tuition, thanks to financial aid programs in each of the state's higher education systems that cover those bills.

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Having a formal education can open up doors to more job opportunities and serve as the starting point for career success. Unfortunately, higher education in the United States is expensive. Community colleges are dedicated to providing practical, quality education to students at affordable rates. This is a great option for many students. The average tuition for community college is less than half the cost of a public university.

In some states, you may even be able to attend community college for free. Many California community colleges offer free tuition options to help you get the knowledge and skills you need for a brighter future - without breaking the bank. This article details free tuition options in California and explains how you can take advantage of them.

Is Community College Free in California?

Community college isn't free across the board in California. As of 2021, the state has 116 community colleges, each with its own programs and fees - as well as scholarships, grants, and other cost-cutting measures.

For example, Sacramento City College - Los Rios Community College District tuition and enrollment fees for 2020-2021 are $46 per unit for residents and $353 per unit for non-residents. In addition to cooperating with federal and state grant and financial aid programs, the school offers its own financing initiatives, like SCC Philanthropy Scholarships and a textbook voucher assistance program.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Trade-Tech (LATTC), has enrollment fees of $46 per unit for residents and $289 for non-residents (out-of-state). In addition to cooperating with diverse federal and state financial aid and grant programs, LATTC offers its own general scholarships for which students can apply (the minimum qualification is a cumulative GPA minimum of 2.0).

These are just two examples. The point is, not all community colleges in California are free. Tuition and fees still apply. However, the costs are lower than a usual two-year or four-year state university. Further, community colleges offer many options for covering costs.

California offers some impressive initiatives designed to cover the cost of tuition - essentially making school free. The state government has been a pioneer in creating an environment where all community college students can access educational opportunities, regardless of financial means.

Who Qualifies for Free Community College in California?

Foreseeing a need to foster a skilled workforce for the future, the government of California implemented two programs to help students pay tuition and make it easier to get an education. The programs were named the California College Promise Program and the California College Promise Grant.

What Is the California College Promise Program?

The California College Promise Program provides free tuition to students who attend a community college for the first two years of their education. When it was first established, the Promise Program only covered one year of free tuition. The program was expanded by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019.

To qualify for the California College Promise Program, you must meet the following criteria:

You must be a California resident or AB 540 eligible student (the California Dream Act waives enrollment fees for non-resident "dreamers").

You must be a full-time student.

You must be a first-time student.

However, this program isn't available at all community colleges. The school must waive students' enrollment fees to take part in the free tuition program. Under the AB 19 bill governing the program, colleges are permitted to implement the California College Promise in different ways. Some schools opt to use the funds for other forms of student support, like helping cover the cost of child care or providing waivers for books.

If you take part in the Promise Program to cover tuition costs, you still have other costs to consider, like housing, books, or food. However, there are other grants and scholarships you can use to offset these costs. ICanAffordCollege.com, an initiative of California Community Colleges, provides a list of grants, scholarships, and other types of financial aid.

There are also funding programs available for "special populations," such as veterans or individuals displaced from their homes by natural disasters.

If you don't qualify for the California College Promise Program, you may qualify for the California College Promise Grant.

What Is the California College Promise Grant?

The California College Promise Grant pays community college fees for low-income California residents attending community college in the state.

This grant is available regardless of the number of units the student takes (e.g., you aren't cut off after two years). Students are eligible for this grant even if they've been studying already.

To qualify for the California College Promise Grant, you must be a California resident or AB 540 eligible student (the California Dream Act waives enrollment fees for non-resident "dreamers"). Further, you must demonstrate financial need.

How can you prove financial need? You may qualify if:

You receive Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI/SSP), or another form of government assistance for low-income families.

You meet the low-income standards according to federal poverty guidelines. For example, as of January 2021, a two-person household must earn less than $17,420 to qualify (in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.; numbers vary for Alaska and Hawaii).

You complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) or Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to demonstrate further unmet financial need.

If you meet the criteria, you may be eligible for a California College Promise Grant.

How to Go to Community College in California for Free

The programs described are available only to California residents (including those who qualify under AB 540). You are generally considered a California resident if you spend more than six months within a 12-month period in the state and have an established "center of life" in California (e.g., you have a business in California or work for a California employer).

If you are not a California resident, you might consider establishing residency. To establish residency for qualifying tuition purposes, you must establish a continuous physical presence in California for at least one year (365 days minimum), you must be a legally permitted resident of the United States (or AB 540 eligible), you must prove you plan to stay in California and make it your home, and further must prove your financial independence.

Applying for the California College Promise Program

As mentioned, not all community colleges provide free tuition as part of the California College Promise Program. Accordingly, application processes vary between institutions. If you're interested in taking part in the Promise Program, take the following steps:

1. Find a school offering free tuition via the Promise Program. This community college locator can help.

2. Confirm your school's eligibility criteria for the Promise Program. Eligibility criteria may include:

Proof of California residency (or dream status)

Confirmation of first-time student status and full-time enrollment

Completion of the CADAA or FAFSA

Proof you aren't eligible for the California College Promise Grant

Apply via your school. Most schools offer an online application process and (assuming they participate in tuition-free Promise Programs) will give you the option to indicate whether you want to take part in the program during the application process. For example, California's Coast Colleges use this proprietary online system.

If you take part in your school's Promise Program, you must maintain eligibility by maintaining a GPA minimum of 2.0 and maintaining your full-time status. Further, you may be required to meet with a counselor to outline your educational plan and ensure you are keeping or exceeding the GPA minimum.

Applying for the California College Promise Grant

Do you meet the eligibility criteria for the California College Promise Grant? In this case, you can apply for the grant via a general statewide portal (not via a specific school). Here's a quick overview of how to apply:

1. Confirm your eligibility. Here are the requirements.

2. Complete the CADAA or FAFSA to confirm your financial need.

3. Complete the application via CCCApply.

If you get the grant, you must complete at least 50% of your coursework and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher to keep it.

Alternatives for Non-Residents

If you can't move to California, then why not consider moving to another state offering free tuition? Many states offer comparable programs to help students gain affordable access to education, including:

New York: The Excelsior Scholarship provides free tuition for qualifying undergraduates attending in-state two-year and four-year colleges.

Oregon: Oregon offers qualifying high school students or GED recipients free community college. Learn about the Oregon Promise Grant.

Tennessee: Tennessee offers high school graduates two years of free tuition at the state's technical schools and public community colleges. Find out how it works.

Get More Information on College Tuition and Planning at CollegeFinance.com

If you're looking for ways to make your education more affordable, CollegeFinance.com can help. We provide diverse resources for students who want to make smart financial choices when considering their options for education. From planning your higher education funding to figuring out what borrowing options are best for your needs, CollegeFinance.com covers diverse topics and gives you the resources to make the right choice for your educational needs.

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How to Go to Community College in California for Free - College Finance

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Having a formal education can open up doors to more job opportunities and serve as the starting point for career success. Unfortunately, higher education in the United States is expensive. Community colleges are dedicated to providing practical, quality education to students at affordable rates. This is a great option for many students.

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Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County (4C's) - San Jose - Santa Clara County, California

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4Cs is a community-based agency that provides a variety of comprehensive services and serves as the community child care link for families and child care professionals who live and work in Santa Clara County, California. The list of programs managed by 4Cs is: Child Care Resource and Referral; Subsidized Child Care Programs; Child Care Food Program; Family Child Care Network; Child Care Initiative Program; Growing, Learning and Caring Program; Health and Safety Program; Child Development Centers; TrustLine; Senior Nutrition Program

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Community Child Care Council of Santa Clara County (4C's) - San Jose - Santa Clara County, California

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4Cs is a community-based agency that provides a variety of comprehensive services and serves as the community child care link for families and child care professionals who live and work in Santa Clara County, California.

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California LifeLine provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to qualified households. Only one California LifeLine discounted phone is allowed per household (except for teletypewriter users and for Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants). The California LifeLine d…

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In every age, in every generation, there have been challenges to meet and obstacles to overcome. For over 170 years, Jewish Family and Children's Services has been helping individuals, families, and our community to meet them. We are here to help you and others-now and in the years to come.

Our Financial Aid Center provides loans, grants, and scholarships to those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area and who:
The current COVID 19 crisis is an unprecedented emergency we all face together. JFCS is here to help you find financial assistance through our own services, partner organizations, and government programs. Find out more about JFCS' Pandemic Emergency Loans and Grants program > The JFCS Financial Aid Center is supported by individual donations, endowed funds, and grants from the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Holocaust Survivor Emergency Assistance Fund, Taube Philanthropies, SCAN Health Plan Community Giving, and the Koret Foundation.

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In every age, in every generation, there have been challenges to meet and obstacles to overcome. For over 170 years, Jewish Family and Children's Services has been helping individuals, families, and our community to meet them. We are here to help you and others-now and in the years to come.

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Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 15. By law, all babies and children are required to be in car seats. Our Child Passenger Safety Program provides education and services to ensure that children are properly secured in car seats while traveling to prevent harm in case of a motor vehicle crash.

Did you know? California car seat laws require:

Children under 2 years old must be rear facing unless they weigh 40 pounds or more, or are 40 inches tall or more.

Children under age 8 must be buckled into a car seat or booster in the back seat.

Children age 8 or older, or who are 4'9" or taller, may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or car seat.

What steps should I take to ensure the safety of my child?

Who is eligible for additional services under the Child Passenger Safety Program?

Low income families who are residents of Santa Clara County with young children who are enrolled in one of the following:

Contact MCAH for questions about eligibility and services
Toll free number: 1(800) 310-2332

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Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 15. By law, all babies and children are required to be in car seats. Our Child Passenger Safety Program provides education and services to ensure that children are properly secured in car seats while traveling to prevent harm in case of a motor vehicle crash.

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Excursion Passes - Light Rail Only

Whether you're going to festivals, movies, parades or other leisure destinations, the 8-Hour Excursion Pass is your ticket to fun on Light Rail!

Excursion Passes are sold only at light rail station ticket vending machines for use during major Levi's Stadium events.

They make getting there, and back, so much easier!

One pass is good for eight hours from the time of purchase

Passes cost the same as two Single Rides

After the fun, just hop onboard - you'll already have your pass

Per VTA Board Approved Fare Policy: No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen Day Passes or Monthly Passes shall not be replaced.

Convention Pass

For Conventions/Hotels only, the Convention Pass is just the ticket for savings and unlimited rides on VTA Light Rail and bus during any convention, seminar, meeting and other large gatherings.

Passes are 25% off of the regular Day Pass price from groups of 100 or more.​

Passes come in multiple day options (1-Day, 3-Day & 5-Day) for varying schedules.​

Scratch-off design allows cardholder to select days of use.

Orders must be submitted a minimum of 10 business days prior to the date needed.

For more information, please contact Fares@vta.org.

Per VTA Board Approved Fare Policy: Convention Passes are available only to Conventions/Hotels and not valid on Highway 17 Express. No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen Day Passes or Monthly Passes shall not be replaced.

Summer Youth Pass

Youth 18 and under enjoy unlimited rides on VTA bus and light rail with the Summer Youth Pass from June through August. That's three months of travel for the price of two Youth Monthly passes!
Learn more about Summer Youth Pass.

Class Pass Program

Due to the pandemic, VTA's Class Pass Program has been suspended until further notice.

This popular program allows teachers, grades K - 12, within Santa Clara County the opportunity to take their students on field trips traveling by VTA buses and light rail for free.

Each teacher is eligible to receive up to two "class passes" every school year. This allows students, teachers and chaperones to ride VTA buses and light rail to museums, cultural events, libraries, and other popular destinations for free.

The Class Pass Program transports over 50,000 teachers and students during each school year.

Complete our online Free Class Pass Field Trip Application at least three weeks prior to the scheduled trip for consideration and processing.

Once approved, your Class Pass and trip itinerary will be sent to you 2 weeks prior to your scheduled trip.

Paratransit ID Card

Passengers with a valid Paratransit ID Card receive free rides on VTA Local, Express bus service and Light Rail. The pass is not honored on Highway 17 Express, Dumbarton Express, Caltrain and Sports Service.

Annual Pass

You can pre-purchase monthly Adult, Youth, Senior/Disabled Passes for an entire year and have them sent to you each month. It's simple, saves you money and you can start anytime of the year.

The Annual Pass Subscription Program allows you to pre-purchase 12 monthly passes (for 12 consecutive months) for the price of 11 monthly passes.

Annual Pass Application with Terms and Conditions.
​​Per VTA Board Approved Fare Policy: No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen Day Passes or Monthly Passes shall not be replaced.

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Day Pass AccumulatorThe Day Pass Accumulator feature ensures the Clipper® cash rider will never pay more than the price of a Day Pass. Just load your Clipper card with cash, tag it upon boarding, and once you've paid the equivalent of a Day Pass, any further local rides that day will be free.

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St. Joseph's Family Center is the area liaison to homeless services. While we do not own housing or operate a shelter, we can provide you with links to area services, both in Gilroy and throughout the County.

We work with the County of Santa Clara and Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) on the United Pass for Life Improvement From Transportation (UPLIFT) Transit Pass Program. This program provides quarterly transit passes to adults experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The goal of UPLIFT is to help people get housing or employment by improving access to public transit.

Key Terms and Conditions:

Client must be homeless or seriously at risk of losing their housing due to lack of transportation.

Client will adhere to program rules, which includes agreeing to participate in case management services.

Client agrees to sign Release of Information form.

Client, with authorization, will have limited personal data input into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) - a county-wide database.

The County allocates a certain number of passes to each agency, so availability is limited.
Working with the VTA we can provide Transit Assistance Passes (TAP) monthly at a nominal cost to qualifying low-income individuals. Through the TAP program a $25 monthly VTA bus pass (normal cost $70) is provided to qualified individuals. Participation in this program could become a lifeline to the working poor.

Key Terms and Conditions:

Client must complete a TAP Application & Survey

Client agrees to sign a Release of Information form

Client provides a photo ID

For more information contact Jose Macias 408.842.6662 x28. Appointments are strongly encouraged in order that we can best assess your situation and needs.

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Client must be homeless or seriously at risk of losing their housing due to lack of transportation. Client will adhere to program rules, which includes agreeing to participate in case management services. Client agrees to sign Release of Information form. Client, with authorization, will have limited personal data input into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) - a county-wide database.

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Free Fares for School

Omnitrans offers discounted passes for youth and provides safe, affordable transportation to school, work, and play. Find out more about pass options.

Free Bus Rides for K-12 Students

Omnitrans buses are free for K-12 students beginning on August 1, 2021! Omnitrans Free Fares for School pilot program welcomes students back to in-person learning with free bus rides. Students can ride to school, after school activities, and around town to meet up with friends on safe Omnitrans buses, for free.

No purchase or registration necessary. Students can board the bus for free, just show your student ID to ride.

Discounted OmniAccess ADA service is available for pre-qualified students.

Get to school, work, and play.

Omnitrans provides service to schools in San Bernardino county, work, shopping, and anywhere else you need to go. With your student ID, you can ride as much as you want. It's your pass to freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use our online trip planner to find out which bus route serves your home and school.

No registration is neccessary to participate in the Free Fares for Schools program. All students K-12 are eligible for free rides. A student ID may be requested when the student boards a bus.

K-12 students will receive a 50% discount on premium OmniRide service through the Free Fares for School program - one-way trips will cost just $2 with a student ID.

The Free Fares for School pilot program is for K-12 students only; all accompanying riders must pay appropriate fare. Visit our fares page for more info.

At this time, the Free Fares for School pilot program is for K-12 students only, and replaces Omnitrans' 18 and under Youth Fare.

Track your bus and plan your trip with your phone using the Transit app.

Download the Transit app to track your bus and plan your trip, all from your phone. Get real-time information about the routes nearest you and step-by-step instructions for every trip.

High Schools served by Omnitrans routes

Cesar Chavez Middle School

Served by Route(s)

San Bernardino City Unified School District

San Bernardino

San Bernardino

School of Arts and Enterprise

Served by Route(s)

Charter school

Pomona

6-12 (Intermediate/Middle and High)

Click for chat

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Skip to content Omnitrans buses are free for K-12 students beginning on August 1, 2021! Omnitrans Free Fares for School pilot program welcomes students back to in-person learning with free bus rides. Students can ride to school, after school activities, and around town to meet up with friends on safe Omnitrans buses, for free.

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Am I Eligible for WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.

How to Apply Learn More About WIC

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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

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Am I Eligible for WIC? The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.

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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides assistance to neighbors in need at the local level. Find information about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul closest to you from the Locations listings below.

Volunteering With St. Vincent de Paul

The Mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is "a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need." Volunteerism, therefore, is the heart of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and our work helping neighbors in need.

At the National Council, we provide Vincentians across the United States with training, education, spiritual formation, and financial support as they assist millions of our most vulnerable neighbors.

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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides assistance to neighbors in need at the local level. Find information about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul closest to you from the Locations listings below. Volunteering With St. Vincent de Paul The Mission of the Society of St.

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Sacred Heart Community Service provides essential services, works to improve the lives of its community, advocates for justice, and inspires its community to love, serve, and share.

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SERR - Special Education Rights and Responsibilities - This manual explains how to become eligible for special education, how to request and advocate for special education services, and what to do if you disagree with school districts.

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The Federal and California special education laws give eligible students with disabilities the right to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This manual explains how to become eligible for special education, how to request and advocate for special education services, and what to do if you disagree with school districts.