The state of California is experiencing an increasing number of homelessness cases, so Santa Monica College is offering the first-ever “Homeless Service Work Certificate” program.
Commencing in autumn of next year, the revised curriculum will provide scholarships to twenty-five students to aid with housing policy, health equity, and the changing face of homelessness.
In Los Angeles County, there are about 1,300 open entry-level jobs related to homeless services. Experts reported that the turnover rate for filled positions is excruciatingly high.
Adjunct faculty member at SMC Celina Alvarez stated, “We’re desperate for workforce to come into the space with some sort of baseline understanding of what it takes to do this work on a daily basis.”
The program is being funded by a $750,000 grant from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which hopes that graduates of the certificate program will possess the necessary abilities to effectively assist others.
