CAEP
Annual Plan

Produced: Aug 11, 2025, 08:35 PM UTC - By Mindy Chung

06 Partnership for Adult Academic and Career Education
CONSORTIUM APPROVED

2025-26

Plans & Goals

Executive Summary

The PAACE Consortium Three Year Plan for 2025-2028, reflects the sincere desire of all Consortium members, to ensure that all students are provided with optimal opportunities for success. Through thoughtful collaboration and program development, which is rooted in the needs of the local region, the Consortium has designed relevant programs and services. To that end students are offered programs that are prescriptive for their needs as identified by the Three-Year planning process. The need for English as A Second Language within the region remains a priority. Additionally, students are provided with Career Technical Education training that will allow them to meet the needs of local employers and simultaneously earn a livable wage that keeps in pace with the economic climate. The PAACE Consortium places a high priority on offering programs that will allow students to obtain multiple program certifications and transition from secondary to post-secondary educational opportunities. The PAACE Consortium also aligns closely with the objectives of the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO), in order to ensure that it's programs and activities are coordinated with the needs of workforce and labor. The greatest need within our region continues to be language acquisition skills, and accelerated training for workforce preparedness. As a result, the objectives for our area will remain centered on technology, student transition and student outcomes, with the overarching objective of our funding meeting identified regional needs: 1. Seamless transition for students from Secondary to Post-Secondary, 2. Improved program awareness and visibility, and 3. Improving student success and retention efforts, as indicated by CASAS Benchmark data, and student educational attainment gains.  

The Partnership for Adult Academic and Career Education (PAACE) Consortium serves the communities of Cerritos, Norwalk, Bellflower, Downey, and Hawaiian Gardens, a region with approximately 330,131 residents. An estimated 20% of adults in this area are in need of educational services that support college readiness, workforce entry, and career advancement. The PAACE Consortium is committed to ensuring that all students are provided with optimal opportunities for success through thoughtful collaboration, data-informed planning, and responsive program development.

The PAACE Three-Year Plan (2025–2028) reflects the sincere commitment of all member districts to design and deliver programs that are prescriptive to student needs, as identified through a comprehensive planning process. The plan prioritizes English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, Career Technical Education (CTE) aligned with local labor market demands, and stackable certifications that support seamless transitions from secondary to postsecondary education.

PAACE also aligns closely with the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO) to ensure that its programs are responsive to regional workforce needs. The greatest needs in the region continue to be language acquisition and accelerated workforce training. As such, PAACE’s overarching objectives are centered on technology integration, student transitions, and improved student outcomes.


Plans & Goals

How (if at all) do the consortium’s previous program year goals differ from the current year’s goals?

Goals remain the same

How much progress did the consortium make towards its previous program year goals?

A good deal of progress - most goals were met

Please provide further context on the progress made towards previous program year goals including goals that were accomplished and any success stories you would like to highlight. (Optional)



  


  During the 2024–2025 program year, the PAACE Consortium made significant strides toward its primary goal of increasing postsecondary transitions for adult learners. Through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives, the consortium successfully achieved a 3% increase in postsecondary enrollment. Two key programs were instrumental in this success: Adult Dual Enrollment: Over 70 adult learners participated in dual enrollment opportunities, allowing them to explore college-level coursework while still enrolled in adult education programs. This exposure helped students build confidence, clarify career interests, and prepare for future academic success. Cerritos Complete Promise Program: A total of 40 students transitioned into the Cerritos Complete Promise Program after earning their high school equivalency or GED through a partner adult school or noncredit program. These students are now actively pursuing two-year degrees, supported by tuition assistance and wraparound services.            Success Story Highlight One standout success from this year involves a student who completed her GED at a PAACE partner school and enrolled in the Cerritos Complete Promise Program with a focus on early childhood education. Through dual enrollment, she discovered a passion for teaching and is now on track to earn her associate degree and transfer to a CSU campus. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of accessible postsecondary pathways and the importance of early exposure to college-level learning. Would you like help formatting this for a report or presentation? Or would you like to include additional data or stories from other partner schools?

 



What barriers did the consortium face in making progress towards its previous program year goals?

Not Entered
What are the goals for the consortium for the current program year?

The PAACE Consortium and its partners will focus on collaborative strategies to increase the effectiveness of services and the delivery model implemented throughout the region. The PAACE Consortium will focus on continued collaboration with the Southeast Los Angeles Workforce Development Board (SELACO), in order to pursue and expand opportunities to work with partner agencies and community organizations with the goal of providing language employment skills both on adult school campuses and at offsite locations within the community. PAACE is also participating in the English Language Learner Healthcare Pathway grant in order to prepare a larger number of English Language Learners for employment in health care careers. 

How will the consortium measure progress towards the goals set for the current program year?

Not Entered

Assessment

Regional Needs Assessment

Please identify the categories of needs in your region.

Please identify resources used to identify these gaps.

The following tools are used to measure the effectiveness of programs:  TOPS PRO data reports, student enrollment information, and Data Vista. Local measures will include maintaining a database of transfer information for students enrolled in partner adult schools who transfer to Adult Dual Enrollment and the Cerritos College Promise Program Cerritos Complete.   

A technology needs assessment will be conducted to determine the resources that are available and the resources that are needed in order to ensure that all students have access to technology within the region. Additionally, student surveys will be administered in order to determine areas of student need where support can be provided. The success of Short-term CTE programs will be determined by a review of the success data including certification numbers, and program completion numbers. 

Activities & Outcomes

Objective #1: Address Educational Needs

Outreach and Enrollment

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

As part of its 2025–2028 Three-Year Plan, the PAACE Consortium is launching a comprehensive outreach and enrollment strategy to increase awareness of adult education programs and improve access for underserved populations across Cerritos, Norwalk, Bellflower, Downey, and Hawaiian Gardens.

Building on prior efforts, PAACE will implement a Targeted Marketing Campaign that includes:

Customizable outreach materials (flyers, one-pagers, and digital content) designed to promote adult education programs with consistent branding across all member districts.

Materials tailored to reach special populations, including English language learners, adults without a high school diploma, unemployed individuals, and unhoused adults.

A PAACE Outreach Team, with trained staff who will distribute materials at school sites, libraries, community centers, and public events.

A digital media campaign featuring student testimonials, high-quality videos, and social media content to drive traffic to the PAACE website.

In addition, PAACE is launching a Counseling Collaborative in partnership with Cerritos College and member districts to:

Bring together counselors and advisors to share strategies, resources, and best practices.

Develop a Counseling Connect website as a centralized hub for tools, templates, and communication across districts.

Strengthen student support systems, improve transitions, and increase engagement with counseling services.

These efforts are designed to improve student access, enrollment, and retention, while also enhancing the visibility and impact of adult education programs throughout the region.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Reportable Individuals (200AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
PAACE StaffCerritos CCD06/30/2027
Sherryl Carter, Ed.D.Cerritos CCD06/30/2027
Nancy AmaraABC Unified06/30/2027
Jamie JauchBellflower Unified06/30/2027
Blanca RochinDowney Unified06/30/2027
Mindy ChungNorwalk-La Mirada Unified06/30/2027

Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions

PAACE Welcome Day College Tour

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

The PAACE Welcome Day College Tour is a student-centered, event designed to improve access to transition resources, increase awareness of local career and training opportunities, and strengthen connections between adult education programs and postsecondary pathways. Inspired by successful models across the state, this event will serve as PAACE’s premiere student-facing conference, tailored to the needs of adult learners in Cerritos, Norwalk, Bellflower, and Downey.

The event will:

Provide live information and resources on college registration, CTE programs, workforce readiness, and support services.

Feature guest speakers, including local employers, college representatives, and adult education alumni.

Offer interactive sessions where students can connect with counselors, advisors, and program staff.

 This event is especially important in a region where many adult learners are first-generation college students, English language learners, or working adults seeking career advancement. The conference will help bridge the information gap and provide equitable access to transition resources that may otherwise be limited at smaller or under-resourced sites.

To ensure long-term impact, PAACE will work with instructors and counselors to integrate the conference into classroom instruction and advising sessions, making it a recurring and embedded part of the student experience.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
Nancy Amara ABC Unified06/30/2027
Sherryl Carter, Ed.D.Cerritos CCD06/30/2027
Jamie JauchBellflower Unified06/30/2027
Blanca RochinDowney Unified06/30/2027
Mindy ChungNorwalk-La Mirada Unified06/30/2027

Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services

Consortium-wide Collaboration

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

The PAACE Consortium, serving the communities of Cerritos, Norwalk, Bellflower, Downey, and Hawaiian Gardens, is committed to strengthening collaboration across its member districts to enhance the effectiveness and reach of adult education services.

To support this goal, PAACE will implement a structured approach to inter-district collaboration, including:

Sharing of community events, college and career fairs, job readiness workshops, and professional development opportunities across districts. This ensures that students and staff benefit from a broader range of resources and experiences, regardless of their home district.

Leveraging digital platforms such as the PAACE website, social media, and internal communications to promote shared events and opportunities.

Creating a student-facing newsletter that highlights upcoming events, success stories, and resources available consortium-wide.

This collaborative model promotes equity in access to services, reduces duplication of efforts, and builds a stronger, more connected adult education community across the region.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
PAACE Staff Cerritos CCD06/30/2028
Nancy AmaraABC Unified06/30/2028
Jamie JauchBellflower Unified06/30/2028
Blanca RochinDowney Unified06/30/2028
Mindy ChungNorwalk-La Mirada Unified06/30/2028

Professional Development

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

 The PAACE Consortium is committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and instructional excellence across its member districts. To support this goal, PAACE will implement a robust professional development strategy that includes:

1. PAACE Professional Learning Series delivered by regional faculty 

PAACE will host a series of in-person professional development sessions designed to:

Share evidence-based instructional strategies.

Highlight innovative practices in adult education.

Provide practical tools and resources that educators can apply immediately in their classrooms.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Reportable Individuals (200AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
PAACE StaffCerritos CCD06/30/2028
Nancy AmaraABC Unified06/30/2028
Jamie JauchBellflower Unified06/30/2028
Blanca RochinDowney Unified06/30/2028
Mindy ChungNorwalk-La Mirada Unified06/30/2028
Sherryl Carter, Ed.D.Cerritos CCD06/30/2028

Fiscal Management

Alignment & Carryover

The CAEP funds that have been assigned to the PAACE Consortium have been allocated to its members on the basis of need and majority vote to distribute resources. The goals and activities for the Annual Plan are reflective of the Three-Year Plan and have been discussed and goals and activities are representative of the needs, programs and resources available to students. The PAACE Consortium continues to enhance student programs and improve student achievement within the region. The consortium members and partner agencies are committed to leveraging resources to students. The sources of funding include CAEP, CalWORKs, Perkins V, ELL Healthcare Pathway and WIOA II funds. 

The members of the PAACE Consortium will review and discuss carry-over funds on an annual basis and decide how to effectively utilize those funds. A contingency plan will be created and used on a priority basis as identified by consortium members. This list can include but will not be limited to technology and professional development day for faculty and staff for all members. Should any Consortium member find that they are unable to spend carry-over funds, after a designated and agreed upon deadline, then PAACE members will bring this forward at a leadership meeting, discuss contingency plans, and vote on how to redistribute and expend the available funds. 

Usage

How does the consortium plan to use allocated funds in the upcoming year?

Not Entered

Consortium Objectives & Activities Overview

Objectives & Activities

= consortium has included this activity in an Annual Plan from the 2025-28 Three-Year Plan
= consortium has NOT selected this activity in an Annual Plan from the 2025-28 Three-Year Plan
ActivityOriginIncluded in Annual Plan
Objective #1: Address Educational Needs
Outreach and Enrollment
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions
PAACE Welcome Day College Tour
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services
Consortium-wide Collaboration
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Professional Development
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

Certification

ABC Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Nancy Amara

08/08/2025 03:51 PM PDT

Bellflower Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Stacey Williams

08/08/2025 09:25 AM PDT

Cerritos CCD - Member Representative

  • Associate Dean, Adult Education & Diversity Programs
  • gvasquez@cerritos.edu
  • (562) 860-2451 ext: 2490
Approved by Dr. Sherryl Carter

08/08/2025 09:21 AM PDT

Downey Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Blanca Rochin

08/08/2025 09:26 AM PDT

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Mindy Chung

08/11/2025 01:34 PM PDT