The WIA 167 MSFW Program assists Farmworkers in obtaining permanent and higher paying employment opportunities. CVOC provides some emergency services to migrant and seasonal Farmworkers, mainly in the form of food and transportation. Major services are, Vocational Classroom Training, English-as-a-Second-Language, General Educational Diploma Instruction, On-the-Job Training, Direct Job Placement/Job Development and Referral, Training-Related Support Services, Counseling and Case Management. To be eligible for these services customers must be a Farmworker or dependent of a Farmworker.
The purpose of this program is to assist agricultural workers who have lost their agricultural employment due to lay off or business closure. The major focus of this program is employment training and job placement. Customers may receive a variety of services including; Vocational Classroom Training, On-the-Job-Training (OJT), Direct Job Placement, Counseling and Job Search Assistance. Eligibility for this program requires that customers must have been laid off from an agriculture-related position prior to application. They must be unlikely to return to their previous employment. Clients must be legal residents and reside in the service area. Clients must be unemployed at the time of application.
The CSBG/MSFW Program provides a variety of services and activities to assist low-income migrant and seasonal Farmworkers as well as seasonal cannery workers. Services provided include information and referral services, family self-sufficiency activities, assistance in translation, application assistance in applying for social services, transportation, public education and employment/training. The following activities are provided by the program: Vocational Classroom Training, Job Placement Assistance, English-as-a-Second Language Instruction, Summer Migrant Youth Project, General Education Diploma Instruction, Rental Assistance, Emergency Shelter, Emergency Food Assistance, Transportation and Public Education on various issues. To be eligible for program services customers must have worked in farm or cannery work, and family income must be at or below the Poverty Level. Client must reside in Service Area and provide documentation of U.S. residency.
The Youth Program promotes rural out of school youth vocational development, the return to school and the training and placement of 19-21 year-old high-risk rural youth by building their academic, life and work skills. The out-of-school program provides rural youth with leadership development activities, supportive services, and follow up services. Out-of-school program services will include work experience, pre-vocational training, ESL, OJT, vocational skill training, life skills activities and job placement for those youth who wish to enter and succeed in the job market. To be eligible for the program customers must be disadvantaged and between the ages 19 through 21. Clients must reside in Stanislaus County.
The CSBG/CSP provides a variety of services and activities to assist the low-income residents of Stanislaus County. Project activities provide information and referral services, family self-sufficiency activities, assistance in translation, application assistance in applying for social services, transportation, public education, and employment/training services. Customers must reside in Stanislaus County and be or be a member of a family who’s income is at or below the poverty level. Client must have documented proof of U.S. residency.
The purpose of the project is to provide CalWorks customers with job search assistance including; orientation to the world of work, interview skills, resume preparation, employer contacts and job matches. Customers will complete a workshop designed to prepare them for job seeking.
Customers will also receive assistance in finding suitable employment opportunities. The local CalWorks program performs customer eligibility determination and referral of clients to CVOC. All participants need to be registered with the local CalWorks program.
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Energy Programs – Stanislaus County Only
Program provides installation of energy conservation devices, minor home repair, energy conservation education and carbon monoxide safety checks. This service is provided to homeowners and renters. To be eligible for services customers must be at or below 150% of the Poverty Guidelines, own or rent a home in Stanislaus County and be a documented resident.
Program provides one payment per year to utility companies for low-income persons. Customers may apply for the assistance through CVOC who will complete the application, determine customer eligibility and the amount of payment to be made to the utility company based on the guidelines provided by the State. The applications are submitted to the State who makes payments to the utility companies. Payments are credited to the customer’s utility account. To be eligible for HEAP Customer’s income must be at or below 130% of the Poverty Level as published each year in the Federal Register. Customers must reside in Stanislaus County and must be documented residents.
Program provides one payment per year to utility companies for low-income customers that have received a 48-Hour Shut Off Notice or, if a senior citizen or disabled person, have received a 15-Day Shut Off Notice. This program also provides assistance to customers in obtaining propane and firewood for heating and repair or replacement of heating sources. Eligibility for ECIP is the same as it is for HEAP except a 48-Hour or 15 Day Shut Off Notice from the Utility Company must have been received by the client prior to application.
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EDUCATION AND COUNSELING SERVICES
CVOC operates full time service centers in the Cities of Modesto, Merced, Winton and Madera. Vocational courses in each of these training centers have been developed to meet the entrance requirements of local employers. CVOC courses are based largely on a combination of classroom lectures, demonstrations and hands‑on experience to prepare our customers for employment in their chosen field of work. CVOC’s Vocational Center and satellite centers provide modern training equipment, curricula for individualized instruction, and experienced program staff. CVOC’s facilities are comfortably located, with easy parking, friendly campus atmosphere, and a staff that is attentive to students’ needs. CVOC was granted institutional approval from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education pursuant to California Education Code Section 94311. Approved are the following courses:
CVOC provides General Education Diploma (GED) tutorial assistance, at no cost, to enable customers to increase employability. The tutorial assistance is designed to help students prepare to take the GED test. The objective of the GED Preparation Program offered by the CVOC is to prepare the student to test for the GED certificate as quickly as possible. The program is tutorial in nature, tests and workbooks allow the student to work independently at his or her own pace, in or outside the classroom.
CVOC provides customers with job placement assistance. CVOC job development staff will assist in locating entry-level positions in the employment fields desired by the customer and available in our service area. The primary objective of this activity is to secure meaningful and productive employment for customers. All students are provided Job Search and Survival skills instruction designed to develop personal and vocational skills necessary for customers to secure and maintain employment.
CVOC provides counseling services to assist customers during their participation in the program. Counseling begins during customer assessment and enrollment process and continues throughout the program. Personal counseling seeks to resolve problems, which may affect the student’s ability to concentrate on the instructional program. Vocational counseling is provided to prepare the student to enter the world of work.
CVOC operates a variety of community education and service projects each year. These projects are designed to meet the economic and social needs of our communities. Examples of recent projects are:
CVOC in cooperation with the National AmeriCorps Program provide health education workers to train Farm Workers and their families on safe practices for working and living around pesticides. Health workers are available to go into the fields and camps to provide a brief, educational and enjoyable training on the dangers and safeguards to be used around pesticides.
CVOC service centers offer community presentations and training each month on a variety of community problems. Issues like child abuse, smoking, lead poisoning, financial planning and many other issues are addressed by guest speakers. CVOC staff also provide information on a variety of free or low cost services available to low-income persons. All presentations and services are offered in English and Spanish.
CVOC has participated as a member the local Office of Emergency Services disaster relief team and has participated in relief efforts during natural disasters. CVOC has participated in recent Flood, Freeze and Drought relief efforts. CVOC projects have aiding in community repairs, providing emergency services and helping families get back on their feet.
For over 30 years, Central Valley Opportunity Center has awarded scholarships to academically-deserving students from Madera, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties. It is particularly rewarding to help these bright young people realize the dream of a good education. Five scholarships are awarded in each county on a competitive basis to graduating seniors demonstrating academic achievement, financial need, and potential for success. The scholarship project is funded by annual fundraising activities and support from community agencies and leaders.
Each year CVOC staff and Board gather donations of food, toys and money to put together holiday food baskets for the needy. Thanks to the support of community and local businesses we are able to assist over 700 families in the Central Valley each holiday season. One basket includes enough food to feed a small family for one week. A special part of our effort is to provide the small children of these families with toys.
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