CAEP
Annual Plan

Produced: Aug 15, 2025, 05:04 PM UTC - By Gregory Brooks

12 Contra Costa Adult Education Consortium
CONSORTIUM APPROVED

2025-26

Plans & Goals

Executive Summary

Overview

In accordance with California Adult Education Program (CAEP) requirements, the Contra Costa County Adult Education Consortium (CCCAEC) has developed its 2025-2026 Annual Plan to guide the implementation of adult education services during the 2025-2026 period. This Annual Plan is directed by the Consortium’s CAEP-required 2025-2028 Three-Year Plan. The plan was reviewed and approved by the CCCAEC Steering Committee voting members in May 2025.

Consortium Overview

The CCCAEC is made up of 12 adult education organizations that include seven K-12 adult education centers, three community colleges, one representative from the Contra Costa Community College District, and one representative from the Contra Costa Office of Education, as listed below.

K-12 Adult Education


Acalanes Adult Education

Antioch Adult Education

Liberty Adult Education

Martinez Adult Education

Mt Diablo Adult Education

Pittsburg Adult Education

West Contra Costa Adult Education

Contra Costa Community College District


Contra Costa College

Contra Costa Community College District

Diablo Valley College

Los Medanos College

Contra Costa Office of Education

Contra Costa Adult School


The CCCAEC is led by the Steering Committee made up of board-appointed voting members and non-voting members representing each member agency. In total there are 16 voting members on the steering committee. The K-12 adult schools each have one voting member and the community colleges each have two voting members. This voting structure was designed to encourage collaborative decision-making and compromise among consortium members by having an equal split of voting members between the community colleges and K-12 adult schools.   

The CCCAEC maintains various regional work groups and taskforces that support operational aspects of the CCCAEC’s efforts. Given the distinct communities in the county, the CCCAEC has also adopted a sub-regional approach to planning and implementation to ensure that strategies included in the three-year and annual plans are tailored to respond most effectively to local needs in each respective region. As part of the annual planning process, representatives from each subregion convene regularly to strategize the implementation of activities named within consortium-level plans. Sub-regional approaches to plan implementation are reviewed at the Steering Committee level to ensure alignment with regional objectives and strategies.

Accomplishments from the 2024-25 Program Year:

  • Adult Education Career Training Programs Exposition: All seven adult schools, the County Office of Education, and the Contra Costa Community Colleges participated in the May 2024 expo which highlighted career training programs available throughout Contra Costa County.  CBO partners also attended: CalFresh, Contra Costa Food Bank, Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and Rubicon Programs. Approximately 400 students attended and busing was provided for high school seniors from schools all over the county to learn about the programs available to them once they graduate.
  • Sub-Regional Planning: Continued to build upon sub-regional planning processes established in 2020-2021.

Primary Goals for the 2025-2026 Program Year:

  • Strengthen Sub-Regional Planning: The consortium plans to reinstate regular sub-regional team presentations to the Steering Committee to showcase progress toward Annual and Three-year Plan goals.
  • Career Pathways: The CCCAEC members will continue to solidify career pathways between institutions and local employers and labor markets. The English Language Learners Healthcare Pathways grant will afford more resources to further connections to healthcare employers.
  • Multilingual Learner Summit: Building upon the success of MLL Summit which the consortium held in Fall of 2024, they will hold another one in October 2025 at Acalanes adult Education. The purpose of the summit is professional development and skill sharing amongst staff and faculty who work with English Language Learners across the consortium’s schools, with a focus on IET programs.
  • Countywide Media Campaign: The consortium is working with a local media-making company to create some short videos and an outreach campaign for the consortium’s services. They will include interviews with students in their native languages, in order to highlight the services for English Language Learners in the community.
  • Countywide Career Fair: In October, the consortium will hold another career fair at Martinez Adult Education. The fair will include employers, community colleges, and will provide bus services for high schoolers to attend.

Plans & Goals

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

Goals have changed or new goals have emerged for the upcoming year

Why have the consortium’s goals changed for the upcoming year?

Updated Three-Year Plan Process

Not Entered
How much progress did the consortium make towards its previous program year goals?

Some progress - around half of the goals were met

Not Entered
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?

Not Entered
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.

Not Entered

Please identify resources used to identify these gaps.

The Consortium selected the following progress, success, and transition metrics in the Three Year Plan which speak to the needs which were identified in the needs assessment process:

  • Progress: Completed Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE)
  • Success: Diploma, GED or High School Equivalency (633AE)
  • Success: Postsecondary Credential (624AE)
  • Transition: Transitioned to ASE (500AE)
  • Transition: Transitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE)
  • Transition: Transitioned to CTE (636AE)

Through the next year, the members of the consortium will monitor these metrics to measure change over time as they implement the activities and strategies outlined in the plan.

In addition, the Consortium will continue to use the subregional workgroups and their quarterly reports to the Steering Committee to assess how well the strategies are being implemented at the local sites, and how responsive they are to the student needs at the local level.

Contra Costa County, the third largest in the Bay Area with a population of 1.16 million, benefits economically from its proximity to major tech and industry hubs. However, these gains are unevenly distributed across the county, with notable economic and educational disparities. Unemployment disproportionately affects Black residents (20.3%), who make up only 8.4% of the population, and adults aged 25–44, who represent nearly half (48.9%) of unemployed adults despite comprising just a quarter of the population. Most job opportunities are concentrated in central areas such as Concord, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the county’s economy is recovering, with employment rising 1.9% in 2024—surpassing the state average. Key growth sectors include Healthcare, Transportation, and Utilities, while job losses persist in Retail, Administrative Support, and Manufacturing.

Educationally, the county performs well overall compared to state averages, but access to education varies greatly across communities, particularly in West and East County. Disparities in attainment are prominent among Hispanic (28.7%), Native American (19.5%), and Pacific Islander (16.7%) populations, who are significantly more likely to lack a high school diploma than White (2.9%), Black (6.9%), or Asian (8.9%) residents. Pandemic-related enrollment declines exacerbated these issues, prompting consortium members to boost awareness and outreach, though marketing and interagency coordination still need improvement.

Student transition support is critical for adult learners. While 61% of consortium self-assessment respondents said students complete informed educational plans, barriers such as mental health issues, lack of transportation, childcare, and access to technology continue to hinder success. These challenges are especially pronounced for formerly incarcerated individuals trying to reconnect with education services.

As with many Adult Education systems, staff recruitment and retention remain key concerns for the consortium’s members. The CCCAEC faces competition from four-year colleges and higher-paying industries. Professional development is improving, with successful initiatives like the Multilingual Learner Summit serving as models for future collaboration and growth.

In 2023–24, CCCAEC provided over 1.3 million instructional hours funded by $26.2M in leveraged resources. Most instruction focused on ESL/EL Civics, Short-Term CTE, and ABE/ASE, which also accounted for 87% of total funding—aligning with Contra Costa County’s needs due to high numbers of non-English speakers and adults lacking a high school diploma. Instruction for Adults with Disabilities (AWD), Workforce Re-entry, Pre-Apprenticeship, and K12 Success is lower, though AWD is recognized as an area of growing need. Short-Term CTE and transitions to credit-bearing pathways are priorities for the consortium. Career pathways in business, healthcare/allied health, ICT, trades, public safety, and education/social services are regularly reviewed for regional workforce alignment. Healthcare is one of the strongest local sectors and is supported by the new ELL Healthcare Pathways Grant funding through CAEP. Apprenticeship and certificate programs are offered across member institutions, though there is need for more connections to credit pathways.

Activities & Outcomes

Objective #1: Address Educational Needs

Reduce barriers; supporting basic & academic needs

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

The CCCAEC hopes to reduce barriers by supporting basic and academic needs to improve access to CCCAEC’s members’ services. Meeting these basic needs will improve access for all communities in Contra Costa County and improve student retention once they have accessed services. To support basic needs, they will identify resources for basic needs support, such as transportation, childcare, and mental health support. They will further explore increases to class time offerings to make them more accessible to students who work full time. They will also identify existing academic support services, such as multi-language, learning disability, and institutional methods support. They also will explore articulated opportunities for targeted populations, including those who are or have been incarcerated, that lead to transitions or pathways. The CCCAEC will also explore effective communication systems to support co-enrolled students with learning or behavioral needs. 

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)
  • All: Reportable Individuals (200AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
Director of Adult EducationMartinez Unified06/30/2028
Executive Vice Chancellor, Education & TechnologyContra Costa CCD06/30/2028

Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions

Support Staff Training & Professional Development

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

The CCCAEC understands the need for staff training and professional development to support sharing practices between consortium members. Building upon the two county-wide summits that consortium members organized in 2023 and 2024, the members will aim to support more professional development opportunities that facilitate cross-consortium resource-sharing amongst staff and faculty, with a focus on administrators who work on transition support. This may include assessments of professional development needs, annual summits, shared resources, and alignment of academic standards and curriculum.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)
  • Progress: Completed Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
Director of Adult EducationMartinez Unified06/30/2028
Executive Vice Chancellor, Education & TechnologyContra Costa CCD06/30/2028

Develop processes for regular resource- sharing

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

The CCCAEC will explore how best to support resource sharing among and between member institutions to enhance the consortium’s capacity to support seamless transitions. This may include developing processes to track student plans across the consortium, as well as reconvening a workgroup for transitions personnel. The CCCAEC will explore the development of community learning spaces for data and transition personnel across the consortia and by sub-region to share findings, processes, and best practices in supporting smooth adult learner transitions.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)
  • Progress: Completed Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
Director of Adult EducationMartinez Unified06/30/2028
Executive Vice Chancellor, Education & TechnologyContra Costa CCD06/30/2028

Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services

Strengthen Internal and External Communication

THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

To strengthen both internal and external communication, the CCCAEC recognizes the importance of consistently reporting on the activities and decisions of the Steering Committee. This includes fostering avenues for community reporting and gathering input from both the broader consortium and the Steering Committee itself. Internally, efforts will be made to involve more teachers in the work of the consortium, fostering greater collaboration and ensuring that their voices are included in decision-making processes.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)
  • All: Reportable Individuals (200AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
Executive Vice Chancellor, Education & TechnologyContra Costa CCD06/30/2028
Director of Adult EducationMartinez Unified06/30/2028

Fiscal Management

Alignment & Carryover

The planned allocations are distributed to member agencies based on the originally approved percentages. Each member utilizes these funds to support existing Adult Education programs, grow and strengthen existing activities as indicated by increased targets, and implement the activities detailed within the CCCAEC Three-Year Plan.

On an annual basis, CCCAEC members develop and approve member allocation budgets through the annual budget development process outlined in the CCCAEC’s governance document. The final allocation budget is entered into the current year’s Consortium Fiscal Administration Declaration. This document is reviewed and approved at the CCCAEC Steering Committee meeting, a public meeting, by board-designated, voting members. On an ongoing basis, the fiscal oversight workgroup ensures accountability of the usage of funds by members and provides recommendations to the Steering Committee as needed. Lastly, the CCCAEC utilizes the annual planning process as a mechanism to review consortium goals and strategies and ensure funding allocations are aligned. 

Carry-over funds initially roll over within member budgets; however, the Consortium does have a process by which it can shift carry-over funds to members in need of additional funding using a one-time reallocation process. Any carry-over from common costs (including any contingency budget) gets reallocated to members in this fashion. The Consortium’s Budget and Fiscal Agreement, Section III, Items 4 & 5 state:

    4) Members may request a one-time allocation amendment if they require additional funds for one-time expenses.

        a. One-time allocation amendments may only be applied to one-time expenses, not ongoing costs.

        b. Adult school members that desire a one-time allocation amendment should inform the CCAEN chair by September 1. Colleges that desire an amendment should inform the CCCCD Steering Committee co-chair by the same date. Each group will convene in September and October to develop a proposal for one-time reallocations for their respective proportion of the consortium budgets.

        c. Proposals will be considered at the November Budget and Fiscal Workgroup meeting. The workgroup will determine whether to forward recommendations to the Steering Committee.

        d. One-time allocation adjustments will be funded using carry-over from members that did not fully expend the previous year’s budget. Member carry-over equates to remaining funds from the previous year minus eligible reserve for economic uncertainty (REU) funds.

    5) Members that have projected carry-over may retain up to 3% of their budget allocation as REU to support fiscal solvency in the face of economic uncertainty. A member’s REU may not exceed its projected carry-over amount.

In light of the new requirements stipulated under Assembly Bill 1491, the Budget & Fiscal Workgroup has determined a percentage threshold of 20% for all members, in alignment with the consortium threshold specified in AB 1491. This strategy went into effect in the 2023-24 academic year.

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
Build inter-agency paths to address student goals
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Integrate new tech to support teaching & learning
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Integrate training programs among the consortium
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Reduce barriers; supporting basic & academic needs
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions
Better link Pathways between Adult Ed and Colleges
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Develop processes for regular resource- sharing
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Share Consortium Resources
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Support Staff Training & Professional Development
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services
Develop resource-sharing frameworks
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Improve data systems & sharing among consortium
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28
Strengthen Internal and External Communication
THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28

Certification

Acalanes Union High - Member Representative

Approved by Steven France

07/25/2025 01:49 PM PDT

Antioch Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Jose Hernandez

07/25/2025 01:28 PM PDT

Contra Costa CCD - Member Representative

  • Executive Vice Chancellor, Education and Technology
  • kschelin@4cd.edu
  • (925) 229-6826
  • Senior Dean of Career and Community Partnership
  • barman@dvc.edu
  • (925) 969-2240
  • Director of District Finance Services
  • asmith@4cd.edu
  • (925) 229-6946
Approved by Kelly Schelin

07/25/2025 01:15 PM PDT

Contra Costa Co. Office of Education - Member Representative

Approved by Hilary Dito

07/25/2025 03:50 PM PDT

Liberty Union High - Member Representative

  • Coordinator of Adult Education
  • steens@luhsd.net
  • (925) 634-2565 ext: 1073
Approved by Sarah Steen

07/25/2025 03:54 PM PDT

Martinez Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Suzanne Murphy

07/25/2025 11:51 AM PDT

Mt. Diablo Unified - Member Representative

  • Director, College & Career and Adult Education
  • abbategv@mdusd.org
  • (925) 685-7340 ext: 6711
Approved by Vittoria Abbate

07/31/2025 02:22 PM PDT

Pittsburg Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Lisa Williams

07/25/2025 11:43 AM PDT

West Contra Costa Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Gregory Brooks

08/15/2025 10:03 AM PDT