Programs for migrant and farmworker students receive funding

CSUB students continue to flourish with the help of HEP/CAMP grants

By California State University, Bakersfield

June 17^th, 2020

California State University, Bakersfield was recently selected to receive funding under the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and the High School Equivalency Program (HEP). For the next five years, CAMP will be given a grant in the amount of $424,950.

“As a former student of migrant education and son of former farmworkers, it is a distinct honor to keep serving migrant students and the sons and daughters of seasonal farmworkers in HEP or CAMP,” said CAMP director, Omar Correa. “Our mission is to serve, educate and empower our participants, and I have witnessed firsthand the enormous impact these federal grants have made in the lives of students and their families. HEP/CAMP works!”

Serving 65 students from the San Joaquin Valley, CAMP is a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education, which has been hosting students since 2000 at CSUB.

This is something to celebrate, as Correa said the grant is a “competitive, performance-based” awarding.

The funding will allow CAMP to continue serving migrant and farm-working students and their families as they navigate through college life. It will also allow them to provide resources, such as tutoring, enrichment activities, academic advising and coaching, as well as a three-week summer Bridge Program that introduces students to campus.

“I’m very excited that we were able to receive the renewal of our HEP grant, which has had a great impact in Kern county. CSUB and HEP is committed to providing outreach and services to the growing migrant student population in the Southern San Joaquin Valley,” said HEP director, Lou Montano.

Students who have had great success in HEP/CAMP Programs.

Programs for migrant and farmworker students receive funding

Since 2010, HEP has also assisted farmworkers and immediate family members with successfully completing their High School Equivalency certificate with the tools they need to succeed, like basic computer training, assistance with textbooks, college tours and paid work experience. For the next five years, HEP will be given a grant in the amount of $471,950 per year, also totaling over $2 million.

Individuals must be 16 years or older and not currently enrolled in school.

In order to be eligible for HEP, individuals must also meet one of the following criteria:

They or their immediate family members have engaged in seasonal agricultural work for 75 days within the last 24 months;
They are eligible or current participants in the Migrant Education Program; and
They are current participants in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

HEP has several commuter sites in Kern County, including Wasco Independent High School, Golden Valley High School, Mira Monte High School and Porterville Adult School, that offer night classes for students to continue working and expanding their education.