Produced: Aug 18, 2025, 02:40 PM UTC - By Amy Avina
2025-26
Plans & Goals
Assessment
Activities & Outcomes
Objective #1: Address Educational Needs
Increase Healthcare Pathways
Adult High School & Equivalency Dual Enrollment
RSAEC members will implement and expand dual enrollment opportunities between the adult high school diploma and high school equivalency programs and member community colleges. This initiative is designed to support students who are close to completing their diplomas or equivalency certificates by accelerating their access to postsecondary education, building college-going identity, and easing the transition to credit-bearing programs.
This activity will be led by administrators, TOSA's, instructors, and counselors from the consortium high school diploma and equivalency programs in coordination with Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College. Consortium-wide collaboration will support the identification of eligible student populations, selection of entry-level community college courses appropriate for dual enrollment (e.g., counseling, college success, or introductory CTE), and the development of streamlined enrollment processes and supports.
Students will receive academic advising, college orientation, and technology access to ensure success. Key implementation elements will include faculty coordination, course articulation planning, targeted outreach to adult high school and equivalency students, and the development of support tools such as enrollment checklists and college-readiness workshops.
Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers
- Students and Programs: Adult Secondary Education (1000)
- Success: Postsecondary Credential (624AE)
- Transition: Transitioned to CTE (636AE)
- Transition: Transitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE)
Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date
Responsible Position | Responsible Member | Proposed Completion Date |
---|---|---|
M'Liss Patterson | Garden Grove Unified | 06/30/2026 |
Chrissy Gascon | Rancho Santiago CCD | 06/30/2028 |
Lorena Chavez | Rancho Santiago CCD | 06/30/2028 |
Lisa Green | Orange Unified | 06/30/2028 |
Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions
GGAE and SAC CTE Pathways and Articulations
RSAEC members will expand the collaboration between Garden Grove Adult Education (GGAE) and Santa Ana College Continuing Education (SAC-CE) to strengthen educational pathways for students. This initiative will focus on increasing access to tuition-free, noncredit CTE programming and supporting seamless student transitions into credit and noncredit postsecondary healthcare pathways.
The activity includes the development of new noncredit CTE courses at the Lincoln Education Center, which will serve as a key instructional site for GGAE learners. These offerings will align with in-demand career fields and regional labor market data, and will include contextualized support for English language learners. To facilitate career progression and long-term success, GGAE and consortium colleges will work to establish articulation agreements that allow completers of GGAE programs, particularly in the ELL Healthcare Pathway, to transition into advanced training in both credit and noncredit departments at partnering RSAEC community colleges.
This work will be coordinated by TOAS's, instructional faculty, counselors, CTE coordinators, and administrators at GGAE and SAC-CE, in partnership with Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College. Teams will collaborate to design curriculum, formalize transition supports, and identify shared student services to improve persistence, retention, and completion.
Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers
- Success: Postsecondary Credential (624AE)
- Transition: Transitioned to CTE (636AE)
Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date
Responsible Position | Responsible Member | Proposed Completion Date |
---|---|---|
M'Liss Patterson | Garden Grove Unified | 06/30/2028 |
Lorena Chavez | Rancho Santiago CCD | 06/30/2028 |
Adult Education/Noncredit to Credit Pathways
RSAEC will expand and strengthen adult education/noncredit-to-credit pathways across member agencies. This activity is designed to address the need for clear, accessible, and supported transitions from adult education and noncredit coursework into credit-bearing programs that lead to degrees, certificates, and high demand, living-wage employment.
This initiative will be led by credit faculty and counseling teams at Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College, in collaboration with noncredit faculty, adult education TOSA's, transition and noncredit counselors, and program coordinators at Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education, Santiago Canyon College Continuing Education, and Garden Grove Adult Education. Through regular workgroup meetings and cross-departmental collaboration, the consortium will build structured pathways that integrate academic and career advising, aligned curriculum, and support services to guide students through transition milestones.
Key components of this activity include the identification and expansion of program-to-program articulations (e.g., High School English and math to credit transfer-level English and math courses, adult education/noncredit CTE to credit CTE), formalized referral processes, coordinated orientations, and consistent use of student education plans. Outreach will be directed at students in noncredit and adult education programs who are academically ready to transition, with embedded counselors and transition specialists helping learners navigate admissions, financial aid, and placement processes.
Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers
- Success: Postsecondary Credential (624AE)
- Transition: Transitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE)
Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date
Responsible Position | Responsible Member | Proposed Completion Date |
---|---|---|
M'Liss Patterson | Garden Grove Unified | 06/30/2028 |
Chrissy Gascon | Rancho Santiago CCD | 06/30/2028 |
Lorena Chavez | Rancho Santiago CCD | 06/30/2028 |
Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services
Expansion of Distant Education Support Services
RSAEC will expand distance education support services to better meet the needs of online learners across the region. This activity is designed to address barriers such as digital literacy, access to support services including academic counseling, and awareness of online learning opportunities. It also supports RSAEC’s commitment to educational equity and student success through flexible, student-centered service models.
The activity will be led by member agencies including Santiago Canyon College Continuing Education, Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education, Garden Grove Adult Education, and Orange Unified Adult Education. TOSA's, faculty, counselors, classified professionals, and technology staff will collaborate to deliver enhanced onboarding, virtual orientations, online learning readiness workshops, and consistent access to embedded counseling and tutoring services. Bilingual student support resources and technology assistance will be accessible via centralized online portals managed by each agency.
Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers
- Student Barriers: English Language Learner (149AE)
- Student Barriers: Low Literacy (155AE)
- Success: Diploma, GED or High School Equivalency (633AE)
- Success: Postsecondary Credential (624AE)
Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date
Responsible Position | Responsible Member | Proposed Completion Date |
---|---|---|
M'Liss Patterson | Garden Grove Unified | 06/30/2028 |
Chrissy Gascon | Rancho Santiago CCD | 06/30/2028 |
Lorena Chavez | Rancho Santiago CCD | 06/30/2028 |
Lisa Green | Orange Unified | 06/30/2028 |
Fiscal Management
Alignment & Carryover
RSAEC’s planned allocations for the 2024–2025 program year are fully aligned with the strategies and objectives outlined in the consortium’s 2025–2028 Three-Year Plan, which was submitted in June 2025. These allocations reflect the continued commitment of the consortium to increase educational access, support seamless transitions to postsecondary and workforce pathways, and improve the overall effectiveness of services through collaborative and equity-focused programming.
Funding for this year will directly support the Three-Year Plan’s core priorities, including expanding adult education and noncredit transitions to credit programs, strengthening healthcare and career education pathways, and enhancing wraparound services through flexible instructional models such as hybrid and HyFlex learning. The consortium will continue to prioritize investments that support high-impact student services, including virtual orientations, mental health access, digital literacy, and embedded counseling, all of which contribute to student persistence, completion, and workforce readiness.
As outlined in the Three-Year Plan, RSAEC members are also committed to strengthening the pipeline between adult schools and community colleges. Planned allocations will support expanded collaboration between Garden Grove Adult Education and Santa Ana College Continuing Education, particularly in the development of tuition-free CTE offerings and articulation agreements designed to guide students from programs such as the ELL Healthcare Pathways into credit or advanced noncredit courses.
To meet the increasing demand for earn-and-learn models, allocations will support the planning and expansion of pre-apprenticeship programs and the launch of registered apprenticeships. This work is in alignment with Vision 2030 and the Governor’s statewide goal to increase apprenticeships by 2029. Similarly, members will continue leveraging CAEP alongside Strong Workforce, Perkins, and ELL Healthcare Pathways grants to fund cross-agency projects that grow regional career pathway infrastructure.
RSAEC’s long-term staffing investments will continue in this program year, including support for the nine full-time faculty and the full-time TOSA whose roles are central to curriculum development, program implementation, and student transitions. These positions were established as part of the consortium’s early strategy and remain foundational to ongoing plan execution. Additionally, funding for new regional centers and expanded student support hubs will ensure continuity of service, especially for students impacted by digital barriers, and transportation issues.
In every aspect, RSAEC’s planned allocations are designed to be responsive to both historical needs and emerging challenges. By building on the foundation of previous plans while adapting to current conditions, RSAEC members remain unified in their mission to create equitable, accessible, and future-focused pathways for adult learners across central Orange County.
RSAEC is committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with Education Code §84914 by actively planning for the timely expenditure of all CAEP funds. The consortium continues to work collaboratively with member agencies to ensure that carryover funds from prior years are integrated into planned activities that support the CAEP legislative objectives: addressing educational needs, improving the integration of services and transitions, and improving the effectiveness of services.
At Garden Grove Adult Education (GGAE), carryover funds will be used to maintain and expand programming in the five CAEP program areas, including support for instructional materials, staffing, technology upgrades, and facilities maintenance. These funds will also support the planned expansion of tuition-free CTE programs at the Lincoln Education Center, aligned with the consortium’s Three-Year Plan.
At RSCCD, carryover funds will continue to support essential personnel—including CAEP-funded faculty, classified staff, and administrative support—as well as marketing, student support services, and technology infrastructure. These investments are crucial for maintaining capacity in high-demand programs such as healthcare pathways and for delivering hybrid instruction models that improve student access and retention.
At Orange Unified School District (OUSD), carryover funds will be directed toward instructional staffing for high school diploma and equivalency programs, ensuring continued access for adult learners pursuing secondary education. Funds will also support digital resource needs and classroom instructional enhancements.
Additionally, all members will utilize carryover to expand participation in consortium-wide and statewide professional development activities. This includes training focused on digital equity, transitions to credit, trauma-informed instruction, and strategies to increase support for RSAEC’s students. RSAEC members will also explore targeted uses of carryover funds to support outreach efforts in areas impacted by recent attendance declines.
It remains RSAEC’s intention to fully expend 2024–2025 funds before drawing down the 2025–2026 allocation, in accordance with state expectations and internal consortium policy. All plans for carryover use are regularly reviewed through fiscal reporting and consortium-level oversight to ensure compliance and alignment with strategic priorities.
Usage
N/A
Consortium Objectives & Activities Overview
Objectives & Activities
Activity | Origin | Included in Annual Plan |
---|---|---|
Objective #1: Address Educational Needs | ||
Adult High School & Equivalency Dual Enrollment | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Grow Earn-and-Learn Opportunities for Adults | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Increase Healthcare Pathways | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Safe Access and Support for Vulnerable Students | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions | ||
Adult Education/Noncredit to Credit Pathways | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Build Pathways Through Community Partnerships | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
GGAE and SAC CTE Pathways and Articulations | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services | ||
Best Practices for Student Success | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Expansion of Distant Education Support Services | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Increase Capacity to Maximize Student Completions | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 | |
Strengthen Professional Development | THREE-YEAR PLAN 2025-28 |
Certification
Garden Grove Unified - Member Representative
Amy Avina - Director of Adult & Alternative Education
- aavina@ggusd.us
- (714) 663-6291
Orange County Department of Education - Member Representative
Fatinah Judeh - Coordinator
- fjudeh@ocde.us
- (714) 349-3073
Orange Unified - Member Representative
Lisa Green - Interim Executive Director Curriculum, Instruction, Secondary School Support
- lgreen@orangeusd.org
- (714) 628-5446
Rancho Santiago CCD - Member Representative
Chrissy Gascon - Executive Director, Adult Education Block Grant
- gascon_christine@sccollege.edu
- (714) 628-5969
Lorena Chavez - Dean, Instruction and Student Services
- Chavez_Lorena@sac.edu
- (714) 241-5845
Santa Ana Unified - Member Representative
Dr. Lorraine Perez - Deputy Superintendent
- lorraine.perez@sausd.us
- (626) 536-3121