Public social services: higher education.

Assembly Member Arambula's legislation aims to enhance coordination between county human services agencies and public higher education institutions in California through new protocols and training requirements. The bill modifies existing requirements for county staff liaisons who serve as points of contact between human services agencies and campus counselors.

Under the proposed changes, county agencies must incorporate input from campus basic needs directors and coordinators when developing engagement protocols with public higher education institutions. The State Department of Social Services would create specialized training on public assistance programs, focusing on student-specific considerations like financial aid impacts and eligibility criteria. This training would be available to basic needs staff, campus personnel, and eligibility workers.

The legislation establishes a quarterly workgroup comprising county liaisons, campus representatives, and higher education system officials to address challenges and share effective practices. The department must submit reports to the Legislature every three years beginning May 2027, documenting enrollment patterns and program accessibility for college students. The bill maintains existing confidentiality requirements while allowing counties to implement changes through administrative guidance rather than formal rulemaking.