CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES)
CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) administers the following programs in Monterey County:
- Welfare-To-Work Program
- CalFresh Employment & Training
- CalWORKs Childcare
- Family Stabilization Program
- Home Visiting Program – Parents As Teachers
- CalFresh Employment & Training
- CalWORKs Childcare
- Family Stabilization Program
- Home Visiting Program – Parents As Teachers
Our goal is to assist CalWORKs and CalFresh customers with obtaining employment and barrier removal services through job readiness and job search activities, education or training, workshops, specialized assessments, customized tutoring, paid work experience, individual or group counseling, legal and credit recovery services, supportive services, and more! For more information about CWES, download our brochure here: English / Spanish
CWES Programs & Services
CWES provides career coaching and mentoring to guide CalWORKs and CalFresh recipients through the many benefits of participating in our programs and services. Nothing is more important to us than the success of our CalWORKs and CalFresh customers. CWES aims to offer the highest quality services designed to ensure that CalWORKs and CalFresh customers are well prepared for the exciting adventure of employment. The programs and services are described below.
Welfare-To-Work Program
The Welfare-To-Work (WTW) Program offers a wide array of employment and barrier removal services and resources for individuals receiving CalWORKs benefits (cash aid). These services aim to inspire career development and remove barriers to success for CalWORKs parents who desire to move towards self-sufficiency and build better futures for themselves and their families. WTW customers have access to all the services offered by CWES, and for an additional twelve (12) months after their CalWORKs discontinuance.
CalFresh Employment & Training
The CalFresh Employment & Training (CFET) Program is a voluntary program available to Monterey County residents that currently receive CalFresh (food stamp) benefits. For those enrolled in school or training, CFET can help to pay for expenses such as childcare, transportation, school tuition and fees, learning needs and testing accommodations, tutoring, background checks (if required for employment) and more! For more information, download the CFET brochure here: English / Spanish
CalWORKs Child Care
Current CalWORKs customers actively participating in approved Welfare-to-Work activities are eligible to receive assistance with paying for child care with a provider of their choice. Child care is provided for children through the age of 12, and for other exceptional needs and factors determined by a CWES CalWORKs Child Care Payment Unit (CCPU) representative. To learn more about CalWORKs Child Care, contact the CWES CalWORKs Child Care Payment Unit at (831) 755-4452.
Family Stabilization Program
The Family Stabilization Program provides temporary assistance to families who are homeless, at risk to becoming homeless, and/or experiencing emergencies impairing participation in Welfare-to-Work activities and employment. A significant difference between the Family Stabilization program and the services customers might otherwise receive by CWES is the increased level and intensity of case management and services provided by a team of experts who work collaboratively with CWES to help families who are in crisis or at risk. For more information, download the CWES Family Stabilization program flyer here: English
Home Visiting Program – Parents As Teachers
The Home Visiting Program (HVP) – Parents as Teachers, is offered to CalWORKs customers who are pregnant and/or with a child less than 24 months old. HVP offers tips and tools to help parents prepare their child for success in school and life. HVP teaches child development and growth. Free items are offered to include a car seat, books, educational toys, etc. Referrals and connections to other services are made available to help parents achieve and move towards a family's educational and employment goals. Parents can participate in HVP solely or with a combination of other WTW activities. Supportive services are also available to HVP participants. For more information, download the HVP flyer here: English / Spanish
Job Search Workshops
CWES offers specialized workshops that range between 2-hour personalized sessions to 4-week long structured workshops depending on the customer’s educational or employment needs. Customers can gain professional development and soft skills needed for successful employment by accessing the following workshops:
- Résumé Development, Interview Practice and Job Application Techniques
- Soft Skills Education and Employer Required Certifications
- Detailed Vocational and Interest Assessments
- Career Exploration and Goal Planning
- LifeSkills
- Steps to Economic and Personal Success (STEPS)
- Income Improvement
- Community Service Volunteer Sites
On-Site Partner Services
CWES understands that CalWORKs customers may have needs beyond training and other costs that must be met before considering employment. Our highly trained and professional staff are qualified to make referrals to multiple on-site partner services that CalWORKs customers can access for free. These partner services include:
- Costs of Housing and Assistance with Searching – Customized Full-Service Team
- Domestic Violence Education, Counseling, and Advocacy
- Mental Health Education and Counseling
- Substance Use Disorder Education and Counseling
- Behavioral Health Support Groups
- Child Support and CA Driver’s License Modifications
- Credit and Legal History Recovery Services
- High School Equivalency and Tutoring Classes
- Paid Work Experience (Expanded Subsidized Employment)
- Parenting Classes, and more!
Supportive Services
Supportive Services are available to both CalWORKs and CalFresh customers. Receiving supportive services allows customer to focus on achieving their employment and education goals without having to worry about the challenges that can get in the way of participating in employment and training services. Supportive Services are provided to assist with many of the most common, and sometimes not so common, costs incurred while working toward employment. These supportive services include:
- Childcare Costs
- Transportation
- Required Books & Supplies
- Work Clothing and Uniforms
- Licensing and testing fees
- Counseling
- Tools
- Tuition costs (CalFresh Program only)
- and more!
Contact Information & Locations
To learn more about CalWORKs Employment Services, please call or visit us at one of our three locations below:
Salinas – CalWORKs Employment Services
730 La Guardia Street
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 755-4452
TTY/TTD #: (831) 754-8791
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 755-4452
TTY/TTD #: (831) 754-8791
King City – CalWORKs Employment Services
200 Broadway, Suite 62
King City, CA 93930
(831) 386-6801
King City, CA 93930
(831) 386-6801
Commonly Used CWES Forms
Click on the following links below to access the commonly used CWES Forms:
Welfare to Work (WTW) Activity Verification Record (CWES 123) – English
Welfare to Work (WTW) Activity Verification Record (CWES 123) – Spanish
CalWORKs Stage One Child Care Informing Notice/Request Form (CCP 7) – English
How to Add and Send Email Attachments to CWES_English
CalWORKs Stage One Child Care Informing Notice/Request Form (CCP 7) – Spanish
How to Add and Send Email Attachments to CWES_Spanish
Welfare to Work (WTW) Activity Verification Record (CWES 123) – English
Welfare to Work (WTW) Activity Verification Record (CWES 123) – Spanish
CalWORKs Stage One Child Care Informing Notice/Request Form (CCP 7) – English
How to Add and Send Email Attachments to CWES_English
CalWORKs Stage One Child Care Informing Notice/Request Form (CCP 7) – Spanish
How to Add and Send Email Attachments to CWES_Spanish