Transcript EOPS and CARE Program Update

EOPS and CARE Statewide Technical Assistance Training
Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza - Sacramento
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Presenter:
Kelly Gornik, EOPS/CARE Specialist
[email protected] and (916) 323-4281
Written By:
Cheryl Fong, Former State Coordinator of EOPS/CARE and happy
retiree and Kelly Gornik
Today’s PowerPoint Wizard:
Cristina Mora, CalWORKs Liaison
[email protected] and (916) 445-1643
 Annual Audit Findings and Categorical
Budget Adjustments
 New Staff: CCC Chancellor’s Office
 Upcoming Events in 2015
 2014-15 EOPS and CARE reallocated funds
 New College in 2015-16: Clovis
Community College
 Status of EOPS and CARE allocations
funding formulas
EOPS Full-Time Director Requirement
District Match funds
Counting a Student As Served
EOPS-Funded Computer Equipment, Furniture,
& Travel Costs for Non-EOPS Staff to
Participate in EOPS Functions
 Old EOPS-funded equipment and textbooks:
Disposal
 EOPS Textbook services: What’s the
difference between textbook lending library,
book services, book rental program and book
grants?
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 EOPS/CARE Over-and-Above Services
 Examples of Activities not allowed with
EOPS/CARE funds
 Priority registration for EOPS Students
 EOPS and SSSP
 California Dream Act
o AB 540 student eligibility for financial aid,
scholarships, BOG fee waivers, and
EOPS/CARE
 Limitations on EOPS Student Eligibility
o 70 degree-applicable units or six semesters
o Approved EOPS high unit majors
 EOPS Counseling Contacts
o When should three mandated EOPS counseling
contacts occur?
o Who provides mandated EOPS counseling
contacts?
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“Categorical Apportionment Adjustments Related
to Annual Audit Findings” memorandum (October
2, 2014) posted systemwide by Chancellor’s
Office Fiscal Accountability Unit
Audit findings (beginning with 2012-13 audit
year) that “reveal that some number of students
served did not meet requirements for earned
funding” will essentially result in adjustments
(i.e., reductions) to program funding in
subsequent fiscal years.
Per October 2, 2014 memo from Assistant Vice
Chancellor Mario Rodriguez, audit adjustments
from 2012-13 to be made in 2015-16
Apportionment Recalculation
Examples of 2012-13 audit findings that will
result in audit adjustments:
EOPS
 Unsigned Mutual Responsibility Contract
 Missing Mutual Responsibility Contract
 Missing EOPS student educational plan
 Student had no documented contact with
EOPS or no active participation
Examples of 2012-13 audit findings that
resulted in audit adjustments:
CARE
 Student not eligible at the time of acceptance
 Missing student educational plan
 Missing application
 Missing Mutual Responsibility Contract
CCCCO Student Services to determine level of
audit adjustments for 2012-13 findings
Allocations to be adjusted in 2015-16 as a
result of findings in 2012-13 audit year
Missing EOPS and/or CARE Advisory Committee
Meetings = Fiscal Adjustments (Penalties)
EOPS Advisory Committee = $500
CARE Advisory Committee = $250
EOPS/CARE Advisory Committee = $750
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Additional information will be forthcoming.
Questions regarding audit process may be
addressed to Fiscal Accountability staff:
◦ Tracy Britten [email protected]
(916) 323-6899
Christine Atalig [email protected]
(916) 327-5772
 Dr. Denise F. Noldon, Interim Vice
Chancellor for Student Services and Special
Programs Division – started January 20,
2015
 EOPS/CARE Specialist (to fill behind Cheryl
Fong’s December 2014 retirement) - ?
 Bryan Dickason, Student Financial
Assistance Programs – started January 20,
2015
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Chancellor’s Office EOPS/CARE New
Directors/Coordinators Training – September
2015 in Sacramento – more information to
come
CCCEOPS Association Annual Fall Conference
– October 20-22, 2015 in San Diego
CCCEOPSA Conference Website:
http://ccceopsaconference.org/
 To date, $40,669 in EOPS funds available to
reallocate out
 To date, $14,889 in CARE funds available to
reallocate out
 EOPS reallocated funds requests total
$806,500 ($651,000 for priority #1)
43 programs for priority #1
 CARE reallocated funds requests total
$363,500
32 programs
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Clovis Community College: Chancellor’s
Office Student Services and Special
Programs division will provide it with its
own categorical allocations, including EOPS
and CARE
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Obtain input from campus EOPS/CARE
programs statewide about CCCCO reinstating
the EOPS and CARE allocations funding
formulas starting in 2015-16 or 2016-17
Share simulations with campus EOPS/CARE
programs to help explain formulas
Background:
 Funding formulas used through 2008-09
 In 2009-10, formulas were not used because
EOPS and CARE were cut by nearly 40%; each
program cut 40% from what it received prior yr,
 Since 2009-10, no change in CARE
appropriation; formula not used since 2009-10
 With exception of 2010-11, EOPS allocations
formula not used since 2009-10, per
agreement with statewide EOPS/CARE
constituencies
 In 2013-14, EOPS partially restored by $15
million; each program increased by 23%
EOPS Allocations Formula
Three elements:
 Base Allocation: $50,000 to each college
 Students Served: 90% of remaining funds allocated
based on of # of students served statewide
 College Effort: Remaining 10% allocated based on
“college effort” (defined as district contribution in
excess of 15% minimum district contribution)
Student Cap:
 Beginning in 1995-96, a funded student cap was
place on # of students served/funded that was
based on students served in 1993-94
 Cap does not establish a ceiling or restrict # served
EOPS Allocations Formula
95% Guarantee:
 Each fiscal year, colleges are guaranteed at
least 95% of their prior year base allocations,
unless the statewide EOPS appropriation is
reduced more than 5% from the prior fiscal year
 Colleges that return more than 5% of their
allocation after the end of the fiscal year will
have their next allocation reduced on a dollarfor-dollar basis by the amount that exceeds the
allowable 5%; does not affect initial allocation
CARE Allocations Formula
1. Base Allocation: $10,000 to each CARE
program
2. Students Served: Remaining funds are
allocated based on # of CARE students
served
CARE program receives funding based on
formula or 95% of prior year initial allocation,
whichever is more
CARE Allocations Formula (continued)
 Plus COLA (cost-of-living) if provided in
budget
 Plus growth funds, if provided in budget
and college CARE program meets minimum
enrollment growth to be eligible for these
funds
 Minus fiscal penalties, if any
 Minus other adjustments, if any
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Title 5, section 56230: Each college shall
employ a full-time director
Part-time director permitted only if college
meets at least one of two allowed waiver
criteria
1. “Small EOPS Program”: served less than
500 EOPS students and received less than
$500,000 EOPS allocation in prior fiscal year
 2. Full-time assistant EOPS director or
coordinator assigned 100% to EOPS/CARE:
administers program in absence of director
and represents the director as needed; if
director is less than 50% EOPS/CARE, then
assistant director must be certificated;
“EOPS coordinator/counselor” meets criteria
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Title 5, section 56210 “Comparable Level of
Services”: requires that there be a district
match for EOPS & stipulates that match is
determined by two figures from two formulas:
1. Average district contribution reported in the
final expenditures in the previous three
fiscal years
2. 15% of the average EOPS allocation in the
previous three fiscal years
Larger figure = district required match
 Section
56210: requires CCCCO to use
formulas every fiscal year
 In 2009-10, CCCCO temporarily suspended
using 56210 when EOPS and CARE were cut
nearly 40%
 September 16, 2009 CCCCO memo
authorized CCCCO to cut district required
match by 40% in 2009-10
 “Remain at this (reduced) level through 201213 or be adjusted proportionately by any
decrease or increase in EOPS funds.”
 2013-14
State Budget partially increased the
EOPS appropriation by $15 million
 District required matches increased for each
college by 23% in 2014-15 to match 23%
increase to EOPS allocations in 2013-14
(CCCCO delayed the increase to district
required match by one fiscal year)
 The district required matches should remain
at the 2014-15 levels in 2015-16
 Director’s
EOPS/CARE Time: Must be paid by
district funds (and none of the director’s time
can be paid with EOPS/CARE funds)
 Other
“over and above” EOPS expenses in
object codes 1000-7000: In general, if EOPS
funds are permitted to be used, then district
funds can be used for those same types of
expenses and counted as district match (not
include direct aid category C expenses)
 Student
Success and Support Programs (SSSP)
Funds given to EOPS for “over and above”
EOPS services (i.e. assessments, orientation,
counseling/advisement, student educational
plan or follow-up services)
 SSSP
funds cannot be used to supplant EOPS
or CARE funds (e.g. SSSP funds cannot be
used for specific services/activities previously
paid for by EOPS/CARE)
Student Equity Funds may be used as district
match for EOPS, as long as student equity
guidelines, rules and policies are met
NOTE: Supplanting of EOPS/CARE funds is
strictly prohibited even if college exceeds its
EOPS district required match
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Title 5, section 56204:
“For purposes of allocating EOPS funds,
conducting audits and evaluations, an EOPS
student served is a person for whom, at
minimum, the EOPS program has
documentation in the student’s file of an EOPS
application, Education Plan, and Mutual
Responsibility Contract….”
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In addition to the three required documents,
an EOPS student must also:
Be provided with an EOPS service (including
but not limited to orientation, counseling,
priority registration, book services, etc.) and
Attend at least one class during the term in
which s/he is being counted (class can be
prior to first census)
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Student attends classes but has no active
participation in EOPS during the term
Student receives EOPS services prior to the first
day of the term but drops out of college before
the first day of class
Student is accepted into EOPS and subsequently
disqualified during the verification and/or reevaluation of her application and therefore,
ineligible for EOPS
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September 16, 2009 “Administrative Relief”
memorandum is still in effect for this
No prior written approval is currently needed
Do not exceed EOPS discretionary cost limit
EOPS discretionary cost limit: per Title 5, section
56295(a), EOPS-funded expenses in object codes
4000-6000 cannot exceed 10% of the total EOPS
allocation or $50,000, whichever is less
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September 16, 2009 “Administrative Relief”
memorandum is still in effect for this
No prior written approval is currently needed
Do not exceed EOPS discretionary cost limit
EOPS discretionary cost limit: per Title 5,
section 56295(a), EOPS-funded expenses in
object codes 4000-6000 cannot exceed 10%
of the total EOPS allocation or $50,000,
whichever is less
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September 16, 2009 “Administrative Relief”
memorandum is still in effect for this
No prior written approval is currently needed
Do not exceed EOPS discretionary cost limit
EOPS discretionary cost limit: per Title 5, section
56295(a), EOPS-funded expenses in object codes
4000-6000 cannot exceed 10% of the total EOPS
allocation or $50,000, whichever is less
Disposal of Old EOPS/CARE funded equipment
with monetary value:
 District may dispose per its rules for sale or
disposal of old equipment; any money
generated goes back to EOPS/CARE; funds
held in different account from state
allocations
 District may use outside of EOPS/CARE but
remaining value must be assessed and
district contribution increased in amount
equal to residual value
Disposal Old EOPS/CARE funded equipment
with monetary value (continued):
 If
within district policy, EOPS/CARE may sell
equipment for fair market value and keep
funds in separate account from allocations
 Equipment shall not be given to another
campus department because that move is the
same as EOPS/CARE paying for nonEOPS/CARE functions
Old EOPS/CARE funded equipment with no
monetary value:
 Should
be disposed of by district per its
policy for the surplus of old equipment
 EOPS
may donate the equipment to a library
or another organization that is willing to
accept old or obsolete equipment
Disposal of Old EOPS/CARE funded textbooks
with monetary value:
 District may dispose per its rules for sale or
disposal of old books; any money generated
goes back to EOPS/CARE; funds held in
different account from state allocations
 District may use outside of EOPS/CARE but
remaining value must be assessed and
district contribution increased in amount
equal to residual value
Disposal of Old EOPS/CARE funded textbooks
with no monetary value:
 Should
be disposed of by district per its
policy for the surplus of old books
 EOPS
may donate books to a library or
another organization that is willing to accept
them
EOPS Textbook Lending Library
 Textbooks are the property of the EOPS
program and students are required to return
textbooks to EOPS
 Textbooks are required in classes in students’
approved educational plan
 Object code 4000, category B – discretionary
cost

Book Service Program
 Non-cash assistance
 May or may not have completed financial aid
application process
 EOPS must notify campus FA office in timely
manner
 For required textbooks/workbooks only in
student’s approved educational plan
 Textbooks belong to student
 Okay to reimburse students for textbooks
 Object code 7000, category B
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EOPS Book Rental Program (EOPS pays for the rental fee of
the college book rental program)
Non-cash assistance
Okay to reimburse students for rental fee
May or may not have completed financial aid process
EOPS must notify campus Financial Aid in a timely manner
For required textbooks/workbooks only
Textbooks are the property of the rental entity
Student is responsible for any damages
Object code 7000, category B
EOPS Book Grant
 Student
must have determined unmet need
first because this is direct aid
 For required textbooks, workbooks or other
related materials such as CD for language
classes or DVD of prepared classroom
lectures
 Textbooks belong to student
 Object code 7000, category C

EOPS and CARE programs offer invaluable
educational support, many of which are not
cash-based financial assistance, but are
services designed to assist low income,
educationally disadvantaged students to
succeed in their chosen educational goals
(certificate, associate degree and transfer)
with EOPS/CARE over-and-above services,
such as:
 Orientation
 Three mandated EOPS counseling contacts per
semester with content prescribed by Title 5
1. Education planning (interpreting assessment
results, developing multi-term education plans,
reviewing EOPS mutual responsibility contract)
2. Progress monitoring/early alert and academic
intervention (if needed)
3. Reviewing academic success, planning class
schedules, updating education plans, providing
transfer assistance
 First-tier priority registration
 UC and CSU admission application fee waivers
 If college EOPS/CARE program funds and resources
are available, these services may also be offered:
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Tutoring
Paraprofessional and peer advisement
Peer support groups
Classes, workshops, seminars and training to assist low
income and single parent students
Assistance with transfer to four-year universities and
colleges
Textbook lending library
Copying services
Laptop computer loan program
Computer lab
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Typing/word processing services
End-of-year recognition programs
Emergency food closets (from non-EOPS/CARE resources)
Outreach activities to potential community college EOPS
students
Educational grants
Child care (class hours and study time)
Emergency bus tickets/passes
Basic auto maintenance/repair services
On-campus meal services
School supplies
Uniforms
Graduation caps and gowns
Transcript fees
 Application fees to public, private and out-of-state
universities if fee waivers not offered
 State vocational board examination and certification
fees
 Campus health fees
 Campus parking permits
 Fingerprinting fees for students enrolled in vocational
majors (e.g., nursing, administration of justice, child
development, etc.) and clearance for access to campus
child development and child care centers)
 EOPS emergency loan program
 And more!
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EOPS should serve as many students as it has funding
and resources. There is no student cap!
EOPS and CARE students may be assisted by other
programs for which they are eligible, but assistance
given must not be duplicative or overawarded.
Students who receive CalWORKs cash aid should
request that the county CalWORKs program provide
WTW ancillary services for textbooks, dependent care,
transportation, school supplies and uniforms so
college financial aid and EOPS/CARE grants/services
are used as a last resource, not first.
If program funds are unavailable, EOPS/CARE is not
required to award grants. EOPS/CARE can offer noncash supportive services only for eligible students.
Extended Leave: Including but not limited to
sabbaticals, medical and administrative leaves
 Why
can’t EOPS/CARE pay? EOPS/CARE funds
shall be used for employees who are actively
employed in the program and providing “over
and above” EOPS and CARE services
 District pays for employee on extended leave
 For EOPS/CARE-funded employees on extended
leave, EOPS/CARE may pay for replacement
person who will be actively working in
EOPS/CARE
Shared Governance (i.e. Academic and Classified
Senates), Union Activities, and Other Campus
Committees
 The
Chancellor’s Office recognizes that serving
on the Academic and classified senate and other
campus committees is a local decision.
 For any campus activity, including the abovelisted ones, if the EOPS/CARE employee is
representing and advocating for the EOPS/CARE
programs, then EOPS/CARE funds are permitted
to be used for that time.
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First-tier priority enrollment is mandated only
for these five groups of students:
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EOPS (AB 595, Statutes of 2013)
DSPS (AB 595, Statutes of 2013)
CalWORKs (AB 86, Statutes of 2013)
Veterans/military (SB 813, Statutes of 2011)
Foster youth (AB 194, Statutes of 2011)
These five groups must be scheduled to enter
first and at the same time for priority
registration. No one group in first-tier may
go ahead of another.
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Students not meeting SSSP requirements do
not have enrollment priority and will register
after the third-tier.
Districts are not required to apply the
registration priorities during summer
sessions or intersessions.
The 100 degree-applicable unit limitation
does not include units for non-degreeapplicable ESL or basic skills classes.
Districts may set the unit limit lower than 100
units, consider units earned from other
colleges, and exempt students in high unit
majors programs.
Since 1969
EOPS
= student success
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EOPS is an essential partner in campus-wide
efforts to fully implement SSSP core services.
As it had for nearly 30 years with matriculation
services and must now do with SSSP, EOPS
must clearly define its role and comply with
Title 5 over-and-above requirements to ensure
that low income, educationally disadvantaged
students continue to have access to college
and receive the necessary supportive services
to help them achieve their educational, career
and personal goals successfully.
EOPS
is over, above and
in addition to
Student Success!
Therefore:
 EOPS orientation services must be over, above
and in addition to the orientation offered by
the college to all students.
 EOPS counseling contacts must be over,
above and in addition to the counseling
offered by the college to all students.
 EOPS education plans must be over, above
and in addition to the plans developed by the
college for all students.
Assembly Bill 130 (Cedillo)
 On January 1, 2012, the California Dream Act of
2011 was enacted as a state law to provide financial
aid eligibility for students who are exempt from
paying nonresident tuition (i.e., AB 540 students)
and meet these requirements:
 Attended a California high school for three or more
years (not three consecutive years)
 Graduated from a California high school or attained
the equivalent (i.e., earned a GED or passed the
California High School Proficiency Exam)
 Are currently registered or enrolled at an accredited
institution of higher education in California, including
UC, CSU and community colleges
 If undocumented, have filed an affidavit with the
college or university certifying intent to file an
application to legalize their immigration status when
eligible
 In the community colleges, the confidential affidavit will
be filed with the admissions and records office on
campus.
 The text of AB 130 (Cedillo) is available at
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xh
tml?bill_id=201120120AB130&search_keywords=
 AB 130 allows California Dream Act (AB 540) students to
apply for, and if selected, receive scholarships that are
derived from non-state funds and administered by UC,
CSU and CCC, such as:
 Scholarships awarded by private donors, alumni
contributions, individual department efforts, professional
associations, foundations, community organizations,
charitable groups or donations from other entities.
 $1,000 scholarships from the California Community Colleges
Scholarship Endowment – Bernard Osher Foundation, which
awards students with the most financial need and have
demonstrated academic success
 Students should contact the college financial aid office
for scholarship information and applications.
Assembly Bill 131 (Cedillo)
 Since January 1, 2013, California Dream Act
students may apply for, and participate in, statefunded financial aid and student aid programs for
which they are eligible, such as:
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Board of Governors Fee Waivers
Cal Grants
Chafee Grants
State student aid programs, such as:
 EOPS
 CARE
 College CalWORKs
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The text of AB 131 is available at the California
Legislative Information website
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xh
tml?bill_id=201120120AB131&search_keywords=
The California Student Aid Commission developed the
California Dream Act Application (or Dream App) that is
available online at www.csac.ca.gov
Financial aid information and applications for students
and families is available in English and Spanish at
www.csac.ca.gov and www.icanaffordcollege.com
websites.
 Students with SSN will be directed to file a FAFSA,
because they may apply for federal, state and
other financial aid.
 Undocumented students should submit the
Dream App, not the FAFSA, to determine their
eligibility for state-funded financial aid
 Students are not required, but should be strongly
encouraged to file the Dream App, because statefunded grants and financial aid are available to
help pay for their cost of education, if they meet
income eligibility criteria.
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Helpful information is also available in CSAC’s
California Dream Act FAQs at this website
http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/cal_gr
ant_dream_act_faqs.pdf
Students with questions about how the California
Dream Act may affect their immigration status are
advised to consult with an immigration attorney.
Eligibility for Board of Governors Fee Waivers:
 Dream Act/AB 540 students are eligible to apply for
and, if they meet the income criteria, receive the
BOG fee waiver.
 All community college students submit the same
BOG fee waiver application form
 Campus admissions and records office must verify that
students meet requirements for either California
residency or California Dream Act/AB 540 status
 If undocumented, students must file an affidavit with
the college certifying their intent to file an application
to legalize their immigration status when eligible. In
the community colleges, the affidavit is filed with
admissions and records office on campus.
Eligibility for EOPS:
 Students are eligible for grants, services and
work/study offered by EOPS, if they meet program
requirements and EOPS funding/resources are
available.
 Dream Act students must submit confidential AB 540
affidavit to college admissions and records office
 Apply for Board of Governors fee waiver and are
strongly encouraged to submit Dream App to CSAC
 Meet EOPS income eligibility requirements
 Meet EOPS educational disadvantage requirements
Eligibility for CARE:
 Students are eligible for grants and services offered
by CARE, if they meet program requirements and
CARE funding/resources are available.
 Students must meet EOPS income eligibility and
educational disadvantage requirements (see EOPS
eligibility information)
 Meet CARE eligibility requirements
 Currently receive CalWORKs cash aid either for
themselves and/or dependent children to be
eligible for CARE (at time of acceptance only, the
student’s youngest child must be under age 14)

EOPS and CARE should process applications
and determine eligibility for all new students
in the same manner.
1. Admissions and Records: verification of California
residency or California Dream Act/AB 540 status
2. Financial Aid: determination of student eligibility for
BOGFW-A and BOGFW-B; also BOGFW-C with zero
EFC (EOPS income eligibility requirement)
3. EOPS: determination of EOPS eligibility based upon
educational disadvantage as defined by Title 5
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AB 130 and AB 131 do not limit the number of AB 540
students who can be accepted and participate in EOPS and
CARE. EOPS and CARE should serve as many programeligible students as the programs can accommodate.
EOPS and CARE should process applications in the order of
when student applications are completed/submitted and
when students have been determined eligible to be accepted
into the programs.
AB 130 and AB 131 also do not restrict access or limit
supportive services to California Dream Act students. EOPS
and CARE over-and-above supportive services should be
provided equitably to all program-eligible students as
funding will accommodate.
70 Units or 6 Terms Limitation

Title 5, section 56226 states:
“A student who has met eligibility requirements and
who participates without term-to-term interruption,
shall continue to be eligible until the student: (a) has
completed 70 degree applicable credit units…or has
completed six semester terms or nine quarter terms
of enrollment. Time spent by the student enrolled in
remedial courses, including remedial level ESL
courses, shall not be included when computing the
requirements of this sub-section.
Section 56226 continues:
 The EOPS director may waive this limitation only in
cases where students are enrolled in programs which
require more than 70 units, or which require
prerequisites that would exceed the limitations.”
 The EOPS director may also exit a student from EOPS,
because the student: (b) “has failed to meet the
terms, conditions, and follow-up provisions of the
student Education Plan and/or the EOPS mutual
responsibility contract.”
 Title 5 section 56226(a) does not say completed 70
degree-applicable units or six semester terms “whichever
comes first.”
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Therefore, each college EOPS program may determine either 70
degree-applicable units or six consecutive primary semester
terms as the limitation for EOPS student eligibility.
The policy must be:
o approved by the EOPS advisory committee
o written and posted as official campus EOPS policy and
o applied in a consistent manner to all EOPS students
In accordance with section 56226, each college EOPS mutual
responsibility contract should clearly cite the reasons (e.g., Title
5 section 56226(a) or (b) or other reason) for dismissing or
exiting students from EOPS.
EOPS Students Enrolled in High Unit Majors
 Students who are enrolled in approved high unit
academic and vocational majors and in good
academic standing may continue to be EOPSeligible until they complete their major
requirements.
 Continuing EOPS eligibility for students enrolled in
high unit majors is allowable, but not required. The
campus EOPS program has the option of electing to
comply with the 70 degree-applicable unit
limitation.
 Currently, there are 56 academic and vocational
majors that exceed the EOPS 70 degree-applicable
unit limitation and are approved as high unit majors
by the Chancellor’s Office.
 TOP codes of approved high unit academic and
vocational majors can be found on the EOPS
webpage
http://extranet.cccco.edu/Divisions/StudentService
s/EOPS/MISDataReporting.aspx
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Check the TOP codes list for approved majors.
Most approved high unit majors fall within these broad
categories:
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mathematics, science and engineering
information technology and computer sciences
business administration / business management
allied health occupations
nursing
liberal arts (teaching)
cosmetology and barbering
nutrition, foods and culinary arts.
If a program TOP code does not appear on the approved list,
contact the Chancellor’s Office to review whether the program
qualifies as a high unit major for EOPS.
Must the EOPS orientation and each of the
three mandated EOPS counseling contacts take
place during the academic term?
 The Chancellor’s Office will permit the
orientation and the first mandated EOPS
counseling contact to occur within a
reasonable time prior to the first day of the
academic term in which a new student is
accepted by EOPS.


The second mandated EOPS counseling
contact must occur at an appropriate interval
during the academic term to allow an EOPS
counselor to offer timely advice, assistance
and intervention, if needed, to address a
student’s academic performance.
The third mandated EOPS counseling contact
should occur prior to the end of the academic
term or, if needed, soon after the last day of
the term. (Reference: EOPS/CARE FAQ #E-38)
Who provides the mandated EOPS counseling
contacts?
 Certificated EOPS counselors who fulfill the
minimum qualifications delineated in Title 5,
section 56264 must provide the mandated
EOPS counseling contacts.
Is it possible for an academic advisor,
paraprofessional or graduate
student/counseling intern to provide the
mandated EOPS counseling services?
 Non-certificated academic advisors or
paraprofessionals may offer academic
advisement to EOPS/CARE students and assist
EOPS counselors, but only under the direct
supervision of EOPS certificated counselors.

Pages 34-35 of the “EOPS Implementing
Guidelines” describe the role of peer advisors
and paraprofessionals:
“Peer advisors and paraprofessionals may provide
follow-up contacts and preliminary progress checks to
eligible EOPS students along with informal advising.”
For example, a graduate student or intern may assist an
EOPS counselor in monitoring academic progress and
may suggest appropriate intervention strategies, but
the EOPS director or EOPS counselor is required to
review the intern’s work and officially approve the
intervention recommendations.
The supervision of the graduate student or intern’s
work is especially important, because s/he is fulfilling a
requirement for completion of the Master’s program
and has not fulfilled the minimum qualifications for
EOPS counselor. (Reference: EOPS/CARE FAQ #S-4)