CAEP
Three-Year Plan

Produced: Jun 20, 2025, 06:41 PM UTC - By Adriana West

Details

Consortium Information

In this section, information about the consortium, its primary and fiscal contacts, and CAEP funds received is auto-populated in NOVA.

As this information is auto-populated from your consortium's landing page in NOVA, make sure the information there is up-to-date, especially the Primary and Fiscal Contacts. This will ensure the correct information is auto-populated properly into the three-year plan.

Consortium Name:
44 North Coast Adult Education Consortium
Address:
7351 Tompkins Hill Rd. | Eureka, CA | 95501
Website:
https://www.redwoods.edu/adulted/
Funding Channel 2025-26:
Direct Funded
CAEP Funds 2025-26:
$1,418,706
CAEP Funds 2024-25:
$1,385,050
CAEP Funds 2023-24:
$1,370,387

Consortium Contacts

Auto-populated

ResponsibilityNameEmailTitlePhone
Fiscal Contactjulia-morrison@redwoods.eduVice President, Administrative Services(707) 476-4122
Primary Contactamber-cavanaugh@redwoods.eduInterim Director, Adult & Community Education
Primary Contactgiselle-cabrero@redwoods.eduSchedule and Assessment Services Specialist(707) 476-4504

Members

Auto-populated

Member AgencyMember TypeContactPhone
Del Norte County UnifiedUnified School DistrictJeff Napier 4640202(707) 464-0202
Eureka City SchoolsUnified School DistrictAdriana West(707) 441-2467 ext: 2455
Redwoods CCDDistrictAmber Cavanaugh
Northern Humboldt Union HighHigh School DistrictJack Bareilles(707) 825-2199

Executive Summary

The North Coast Adult Education Consortium (NCAEC) serves all of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties as well as parts of several neighboring counties covering membership includes three K-12 Districts, and one Community College District. Partnerships of our members in various efforts on the North Coast are the foundation for working together and have been leveraged to strengthen the role of education and workforce training. With the collaboration of schools districts, business partners, and county agencies, the services for Adult Education will be prioritized and aligned to meet the regional needs according to the California Adult Education Program (CAEP). NCAEC will offer Adult Education classes at locations geographically accessible to learners within the consortium region as needed. Based on identified workforce needs, member’s classes will increase educational attainment and career success by providing the preparation and skills needed for employment, continuing post-secondary education, and personal growth of the residents of our region. Through the work of NCAEC, we have come together to identify the adult education needs and resources in our region. We have determined that we have significant needs, the expertise to develop effective programs, and a strong desire by all members to see a robust adult education offering in our region. The partnerships we developed, as we worked together to advance the shared vision and plan, will lead to integrated educational pathways, increased educational opportunities, and improved ability to address the varied needs of our collective adult learners. 

Geographic Overview

Del Norte: 1,006 sq mi

Humboldt: 3,568 sq mi

Outside of the main service areas of Del Norte and Humboldt counties, consortium members also manage sites serving people on the eastern border region of Trinity County and within the Hoopa Valley Reservation.

Demographic Overview

Del Norte County: total population- 27,009

  • Percent of persons in poverty- 13.8%
  • HS grad or higher- 85%
  • Veterans- 1,480
  • Foreign-born persons- 7.6%

Humboldt County: total population- 132,380

  • Percent of persons in poverty- 16.7%
  • HS grad or higher- 91.5%
  • Veterans- 6,576
  • Foreign-born persons- 6.4%

Trinity County: total population- 15,642

  • Percent of persons in poverty- 20.8%
  • HS grad or higher- 94.8%
  • Veterans- 1,165
  • Foreign-born persons- 6.3%

Labor Market

Humboldt 

  • 5.2% unemployed, on par with California’s average unemployment rate of 5.3%.
  • Humboldt’s Native American populations unemployment rate of 17.8% and a poverty rate of 30.3%.
  • Humboldt employers experience some difficulty finding individuals with skills and experience in the following areas: medication administration, typing/word processing, teaching, home health care, report writing, payroll, and inventory control. 
  • On the other hand, job seekers appear to have an over-abundance of the following types of skills: cash handling, Point of Sale systems, sales, food service, merchandising, serving, and barista.
  • Fastest growing occupations that require no more than an associate's degree- health technologists/technicians, reservation and transportation agents (ie airport/car rental), surgical technologists, electrical/electronic/electromechanical assembly, detectives/criminal investigation, funeral attendants, court/municipal/license clerks, paramedics

Del Norte 

  • Unemployment rate 2024, 6.2%
  • Most employment is concentrated in five sectors: healthcare, prisons, other government services, retail trade, and education 
  • The largest employers are Sutter Coast Hospital, Del Norte Unified School District & Pelican Bay State Prison.
  • By 2028, the population of Del Norte County is expected to be 25,400. The last time the county’s population was at that level was in 1991. 
  • Fastest growing occupations that require no more than an associate's degree- packaging/filling machine operators, manufacturing sales, light truck drivers, radiologic tech, court/municipal/license clerks, medical assistants 



Assessment

As the consortium, we undertook a comprehensive Pre-Planning Assessment to thoroughly evaluate several critical areas. Our primary objective for this assessment was to ascertain educational needs, understand regional alignment, and analyze the current levels and types of education and workforce services within our operational scope. 

Our overall approach and process for conducting this assessment was multi-faceted. We assessed our own respective areas and consulted reported data from varying regional and area-specific sources, gathering a broad spectrum of information. A crucial phase involved evaluating this reported data for significant trends to identify specific needs within our service areas. To ensure a cohesive and integrated understanding, we aligned our area's relative needs assessments to existing regional efforts. To inform our findings with robust evidence, we leveraged a diverse array of data sources, which included MIS data, TOPSpro, Datavista, and the Centers of Excellence. We also drew insights from our prior self-assessment. Additionally, external and regional documents such as the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board 2025-2028 Plan, CAEP Consortium Fact Sheet, data from the US Census Bureau, the 2023 Del Norte County Economic Forecast, and the CRDN Strategic Review - Dec 2024 were instrumental in our comprehensive analysis. This data-driven process allowed us, as the consortium, to develop a robust understanding of the landscape of educational and workforce services, identify key areas of need, and ensure our strategies were well-aligned with broader regional initiatives.

What type of representatives make up your assessment planning board members?

Which of the following data sources were referenced and contributed to the consortium's understanding of needs, current levels and types of services, and gaps?

Data was pulled from variable sources (comprehensive list below) that track and survey the consortium service area. Barriers to collection are regional in nature due to the rural nature of the area. Transient populations, Indigenous populations, and remote geographic location are some of these barriers to comprehensive collection. In addition, reporting specific to Native American populations are particularly difficult to evaluate for accuracy due to the disparities between self-identification, legal tribal recognition at the state and federal level, and varying standards for affiliation between tribes. Immigrant populations also remain skeptical of data collection efforts and are reluctant to identify their nationality due to federal discrimination, and Immigration & Customs Enforcement investigation.

Data Sources:

  • MIS data 
  • TOPSpro 
  • Datavista 
  • COE 
  • The HCWDB 2025-2028 Plan 
  • Prior self-assessment 
  • The CAEP Consortium Fact Sheet
  • Information from the US Census Bureau 
  • The 2023 Del Norte County Economic Forecast
  • The CRDN Strategic Review - Dec 2024


Regional Alignment and Priorities

Provide the names and types of the regional partner organizations that your consortium works with to ensure programs offered align with regional needs. *

Click Add Partner Organization, search for the organization’s name, and select it. If the organization is not listed, click Create a new one in the modal, enter the Partner Organization Name, and select the Partner Organization Type.

Partner Organization NamePartner Organization Type
Humboldt County Workforce Development BoardWorkforce Development Board
North /Far North Regional ConsortiaOther
County of Humboldt - DHHSOther
Economic Development Division - County of HumboldtWorkforce Development Board
Family Resource CenterCommunity Organization
California Conservation Corps.Community Organization
Providence St. Joseph's HospitalIndustry
Open Door Health ClinicIndustry
Sutter HealthIndustry
SMART Workforce CenterWorkforce Development Board
What relevant education and workforce plans that guide services in the region were used to develop this Three-Year Plan?

What are the top priorities in relation to regional alignment?

The adult education and workforce services supported by the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) through the North Coast Adult Education Consortium (NCAEC) are closely aligned with other regional education and workforce plans, particularly those guiding services in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. This alignment is designed to meet regional needs, build career pathways, and implement workforce sector strategies. 

  • Names of Relevant Education and Workforce Plans Guiding Services in the Region, and the Consortium Members or Other Entities That Participated in Developing These Plans:
    • North Coast Regional Plan Program Years 2025-20285: This plan is developed by the North Coast Regional Planning Unit, specifically the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board (HCWDB)56, and is submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 
    • Del Norte County Economic Forecast (2023-2028) 

Summary of the Adult Education and Workforce Services Described in Each of These Plans:

North Coast Regional Plan (Humboldt County Workforce Development Board/WIOA)

  • Key Industries: Identifies target industries essential to Humboldt’s economy and for future growth, including Healthcare, Construction, Renewable Energy, Education & Training, Arts, Hospitality & Tourism, Agriculture, Forestry & Logging, Aquaculture & Fisheries, and Financial Services.
  • Workforce Development Strategies: Focuses on demand-driven skills attainment through industry-led training solutions, strengthening relationships with industry stakeholders, and continuous monitoring of outcomes like job placement and retention.
  • Sector-Based Pathways: Healthcare: Targeted training (e.g., upskilling Licensed Vocational Nurses and Registered Nurses), comprehensive wraparound services (transportation, childcare, textbooks, licensing assistance), and developing apprenticeships in behavioral health and oral health and skilled trades.
  • Targeted Service Strategies: Provides tailored workforce development services for unhoused individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals, women, and tribal members. This includes addressing barriers like lack of childcare, transportation, and housing, expanding ESL services, and developing partnerships with specialized organizations like the Northern California Indian Development Council (NCIDC).
  • Del Norte County Economic Forecast
  • Economic Landscape: Employment is concentrated in healthcare, prisons, other government services, retail trade, and education25. Forecasts job growth in leisure services, healthcare, and manufacturing.
  • Population Trends: Expects a population decline due to low birth rates and out-migration.
  • Socioeconomic Challenges: Notes lower rates of 4-year college degrees and higher poverty rates in Del Norte County compared to state averages.

How adult education and workforce services supported by CAEP are currently aligned with priorities and services described in each of these plans:

  • Foundational Education: Prioritizes ESL and high school equivalency/diploma programs, expanding offerings at College of the Redwoods, including its Del Norte Instructional Site, and within the Humboldt County Correctional Facility
  • Career Pathways & Industry Alignment: Transitions students from non-credit to credit-bearing programs and career pathways, specifically in high-demand sectors like Healthcare, Construction, and Renewable Energy1.... This includes developing new training models and exploring apprenticeships.
  • Support for Underserved Populations: Provides tailored services for unhoused, formerly incarcerated individuals, women, and tribal members, addressing barriers like childcare and transportation, and fostering partnerships to ensure access to quality jobs.
  • Integrated Workforce System: Collaborates with the Workforce Development Board and America's Job Centers of CA, providing pre-employment preparation and ensuring training programs are demand-driven through continuous dialogue with industry leader.

Identified gaps in alignment of adult education and workforce services across CAEP and these other plans:

  • A major gap is the lack of clear pathways from adult education to credit-bearing college programs and established career pathways, particularly for high school equivalency and ESL students, and those released from correctional facilities.
  • Skills Mismatch: Employers struggle to fill positions requiring advanced degrees and specific skills like medication administration, typing, and home healthcare, while job seekers have a surplus of basic skills such as cash handling and sales, highlighting a misalignment between supply and demand.
  • Geographic Accessibility
  • Poor Information Sharing
  • Limited Upward Mobility

While Humboldt County boasts a higher high school completion rate than the state average (92.2% vs. 84.8% for those 25 or older), its postsecondary education attainment is slightly lower (41.8% vs. 45.3% statewide, though one-year estimates show a slightly higher 46.1%). This suggests a gap in opportunities for residents to further their education beyond high school within the county or a misalignment between available jobs and higher educational qualifications, as increased educational attainment often does not translate to significantly higher earnings locally.

Economic disparities further highlight educational needs. Humboldt County's poverty rate is 18.9%, significantly higher than the state average of 12%. This poverty is disproportionately experienced by certain demographic groups; for instance, the Black community has a 39.9% poverty rate, and Native Americans face a 30.3% poverty rate and low graduation rates, alongside resource access disparities including lack of internet and transportation. Specific tribal communities, like Yurok and Hoopa Valley reservations, show nearly one-third of residents living in poverty. Unmet basic needs, lack of upward mobility, and scarcity of jobs with benefits were also cited as urgent issues by workforce development workshop participants.

Language barriers are also a concern, with 2% of the population speaking English less than well. Approximately 6.8% of individuals speak Spanish, and 4% speak another language, with the Hmong population specifically noted as often seeking services, prompting providers to offer information in that language.

An analysis of skill gaps indicates that Humboldt employers struggle to find individuals with skills in areas like medication administration, typing/word processing, teaching, and home healthcare. Conversely, job seekers appear to have an over-abundance of skills such as cash handling, sales, and food service. This highlights a mismatch between the skills available in the workforce and the demand from employers.

Employment projections for the North Coast Region (including Humboldt) show significant growth anticipated in sectors like Health Care & Social Assistance (21.2% by 2032), Education & Health Services (20.7%), Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (15.6%), Educational Services (11.7%), and Construction (9.4%). However, a key finding is that the majority of this projected employment growth will be in entry-level occupations, with 80% of the top 20 most concentrated occupations projected to pay below the county’s living wage threshold of $47,507.20 annually. This indicates that many growing job opportunities may not offer family-sustaining wages.

The implications for prioritizing adult education services and resources are clear:

• Targeting Underserved Populations: equitable access to high-quality jobs for unhoused individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals, women, and tribal members. Supportive services to address barriers like lack of childcare, transportation, and housing. 

• Demand-Driven Skills Attainment: Resources should be focused on aligning workforce development with high-demand industries and in-demand skills.

• Provide quality training pathways for jobs that offer family-sustaining wages and career growth potential. This directly addresses the issue of many entry-level jobs paying below the living wage.

• Addressing Basic Skills and Digital Literacy: The need for improving basic skills attainment and digital literacy is recognized, particularly for underserved populations such as English language learners.

Please identify the categories of needs of your region.

Not Entered
What challenges does your region face that impact the programs you have previously or are currently offering?

-Can be difficult to find instructors

-Remote geographical regions 

-Unreliable network connectivity

-Transportation

-High turnover of Adult Education Practitioners

-Most Adult Ed practitioners are serving multiple roles

-Most projected growth for job opportunities are in entry level positions, those are not living wage jobs


Which populations are currently being served by your programs?

Contributions by Entities*

NameRoleThree-Year Plan Contribution
Amber Cavanaugh Administrator Designed proposed strategies
Jeff Napier Administrator Provided data
Adriana West Administrator Participated in planning meetings
Jack Bareilles Administrator Participated in planning meetings
Giselle Cabrero Classified staff Provided data

Regional Service Providers

For each Consortium Member service provider, enter the number of Participants in each program area.

Provider NameProvider TypeNumber of Participants in Program AreaTotal Participants
ABEASEAWDCSSCTEESLPre-ApprenticeshipShort Term CTEWorkforce Reentry
*Del Norte County UnifiedMember Representative

0

12

12

0

0

29

0

0

0

53
*Eureka City SchoolsMember Representative

31

48

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

79
*Northern Humboldt Union HighMember Representative

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0
*Redwoods CCDMember Representative

10

342

217

0

542

169

0

370

270

1920
Total Participants 41 402 229 0 542 198 0 370 270 2052
* Consortium Member required to input number of Participants

For each service provider added, check the box in the program areas where services are provided.

No Service Providers for this consortium.

What industries do you currently serve/plan to serve in the future?

Not Entered

All funded members provide ESL and High School Diploma prep classes. Two offer the opportunity for students to sit for HiSETtests. CTE Healthcare offerings include Certified Medical Assistant, which aligns in a pathway to credit programs in Nursing. A Welding program exists with one funded member that is a pathway into Welding credit programs. A partnership with the Humboldt County Office of Education provides a recruitment mechanism into the ESL and CTE programs. The unfunded member refers students to these programs as well as to the Living Skills for Students with Disabilities program. College of the Redwoods has a program in the Humboldt County Correctional Facility that provides inmates with opportunities such as ESL, earning a High School equivalency, learning about entering college or the workforce through College & Career or Work Readiness classes. Even though none of the members receive WIOA funding, all members partner with the Workforce Development Board and the America’s Job Centers of CA. The Consortium lead represents the college and the Consortium as a member of the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board. 

Metrics: CAEP Barriers & Metrics

Goals & Metrics

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • English Language Learner (149AE)
  • Ex-Offender (150AE)
  • Low Income (154AE)
  • Low Literacy (155AE)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Adult Basic Education (1001)
  • Adult Secondary Education (1000)
  • Career Technical Education (1003)
  • English as a Secondary Language (1002)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Completed Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Transitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE)

Metrics

Adult Ed Metrics

  • Diploma, GED or High School Equivalency (633AE)

Consortium Level Metric Targets

In this section, Consortium Level Actuals data from DataVista for the previous three years, including areas to input data for Consortium Level Targets are shown below.

The first row shows the required metric of Number of Adults Served. The following rows show metrics previously selected in the CAEP Barriers and Metrics workflow section.

Input Consortium Level Targets as whole numbers for the upcoming three years for all of the rows of metrics shown below

The 2023-24 data in DataVista will be made available in Spring 2025 and the 2024-25 data will be made available in Spring 2026.

Metric SetMetric DescriptionConsortium Level Metric Actuals Consortium Level Metric Targets
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
AllReportable Individuals (200AE) 937 1,203

1,400

1,500

1,600

Student BarriersEnglish Language Learner (149AE) 266 260

268

275

280

Student BarriersLow Literacy (155AE) 556 735

750

765

780

Student BarriersLow Income (154AE) 323 468

540

670

750

Student BarriersEx-Offender (150AE) 26 150

165

175

185

Member Level Metric Targets

In this section, Member Level Actuals data from DataVista for the previous three years, including areas to input data for member level Targets for the upcoming three years are shown below.

The first row shows the required metric of Adults Served Who Became Participants. The following rows show metrics previously selected in the CAEP Barriers and Metrics workflow section.

Input Member Level Targets as whole numbers for the upcoming three years for all of the rows of metrics shown below

The 2023-24 data in DataVista will be made available in Spring 2025 and the 2024-25 data will be made available in Spring 2026.

Del Norte County Unified (Reported by Del Norte County Unified School District)

Metric SetMetric DescriptionMember Level Metric Actuals Member Level Metric Targets
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
AllParticipants (202AE) 29 42

50

55

60

ProgressCompleted Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE) 0 10

15

20

25

SuccessDiploma, GED or High School Equivalency (633AE) 0

0

0

0

TransitionTransitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE)

0

0

0

Students and ProgramsAdult Secondary Education (1000) 11 12

13

14

15

Students and ProgramsAdult Basic Education (1001) 0 12

20

25

30

Students and ProgramsEnglish as a Secondary Language (1002) 19 29

35

40

45

Students and ProgramsCareer Technical Education (1003)

0

0

0

* Mandatory for all members


Eureka City Schools (Reported by Eureka City Schools)

Metric SetMetric DescriptionMember Level Metric Actuals Member Level Metric Targets
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
AllParticipants (202AE) 48

55

60

65

ProgressCompleted Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE) 0

0

0

0

SuccessDiploma, GED or High School Equivalency (633AE) 12

13

14

15

TransitionTransitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE)

0

0

0

Students and ProgramsAdult Secondary Education (1000) 48

55

60

65

Students and ProgramsAdult Basic Education (1001) 31

35

40

45

Students and ProgramsEnglish as a Secondary Language (1002) 0

0

0

0

Students and ProgramsCareer Technical Education (1003) 0

0

0

0

* Mandatory for all members


Northern Humboldt Union High (Reported by Northern Humboldt Unified High School District)

Metric SetMetric DescriptionMember Level Metric Actuals Member Level Metric Targets
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
AllParticipants (202AE)

0

0

0

ProgressCompleted Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE)

0

0

0

SuccessDiploma, GED or High School Equivalency (633AE)

0

0

0

TransitionTransitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE)

0

0

0

Students and ProgramsAdult Secondary Education (1000)

0

0

0

Students and ProgramsAdult Basic Education (1001)

0

0

0

Students and ProgramsEnglish as a Secondary Language (1002)

0

0

0

Students and ProgramsCareer Technical Education (1003)

0

0

0

* Mandatory for all members


Redwoods CCD (Reported by Redwoods)

Metric SetMetric DescriptionMember Level Metric Actuals Member Level Metric Targets
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
AllParticipants (202AE) 804 987

925

950

1,000

ProgressCompleted Educational Functioning Level Gain (400AE) 14

20

25

30

SuccessDiploma, GED or High School Equivalency (633AE) 18 24

30

35

40

TransitionTransitioned to Non-Developmental Credit College Course (637AE) 36

40

45

50

Students and ProgramsAdult Secondary Education (1000) 205 342

400

450

500

Students and ProgramsAdult Basic Education (1001) 24 10

15

20

25

Students and ProgramsEnglish as a Secondary Language (1002) 220 169

175

180

185

Students and ProgramsCareer Technical Education (1003) 488 542

575

600

625

* Mandatory for all members

Member Spending Targets

The Percent of Available Funds Spent in 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25, imported from NOVA, is in the first row. This is a required metric. Add 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 Targets for each member district’s Percent of Available Funds Spent.

Enter each of the Percent of Available Funds Spent as percentages for each year
Member% of Available Funds SpentMember Level Targets
2022-232023-242024-252025-262026-272027-28
Del Norte County Unified 100% 100% 17%

90%

90%

95%

Eureka City Schools 100% 100% 47%

90%

90%

95%

Northern Humboldt Union High 0% 0% 0%

0%

0%

0%

Redwoods CCD 100% 100% 77%

100%

100%

100%

Objectives

Objective #1: Address Educational Needs

Expand Adult Education Programming Regionally. Involves a comprehensive effort to expand and diversify adult education program offerings across the North Coast region, with a particular focus on addressing the identified sectors of economic and employment growth, and skill gaps across the region. A particular area of focus will be expansion.  expansion of Medical Assisting program offerings to Del Norte County. This is a strategic move to align educational programs with regional labor market demands, as healthcare, including medical assistants, is a high-demand and growing sector in the North Coast. 

Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions

Select the strategies that your consortium is using to improve 1) integration of services and 2) transitions to post-secondary education and the workforce
  1. Utilizing Data

  2. Providing Professional Development

  3. Identifying Best Practices

  4. Offering Flexible Courses and Services

Not Entered

Not Entered

Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services

Select the programmatic strategies that your consortium is using to improve effectiveness of services:

Not Entered

Select the operational strategies that your consortium is using to improve effectiveness of services:

Not Entered

Not Entered

Activities & Outcomes

Objective #1: Address Educational Needs

Expand Adult Ed Programming Regionally

  • The activity that will be carried out: Expand Adult Education Programming Regionally. Involves a comprehensive effort to expand and diversify adult education program offerings across the North Coast region, with a particular focus on addressing the identified sectors of economic and employment growth, and skill gaps across the region. A particular area of focus will be expansion.  expansion of Medical Assisting program offerings to Del Norte County. This is a strategic move to align educational programs with regional labor market demands, as healthcare, including medical assistants, is a high-demand and growing sector in the North Coast.
  • What agencies or individuals will carry out the activity: North Coast Adult Education Consortium, College of the Redwoods. 
  • Key deliverables:
    • Successful recruitment and hiring of qualified Medical Assisting faculty for the Del Norte campus.
    • Development and implementation of Medical Assisting course sequences and offerings at the CR Del Norte Instructional Site.
    • Leveraging the planned new healthcare education/training facility in Crescent City, which is a high-priority project using Measure I bond funding, to support program delivery.
    • Establishing or reinforcing clear pathways from non-credit Medical Assisting to credit-bearing Nursing programs in Del Norte, mirroring existing pathways elsewhere in the consortium
    • How the activity will contribute to achieving one or more of the three CAEP objectives
  • How the activity will contribute to achieving one or more of the three CAEP objectives:

    ◦Addresses Educational Needs: This activity directly addresses the community's demand for job skills training. Expanding Medical Assisting in Del Norte provides accessible vocational education in a region facing low college readiness and significant socioeconomic challenges.

    ◦Improves Integration of Services & Transitions: The Medical Assisting program is designed to align with pathways to credit programs in Nursing. Expanding this offering to Del Norte will strengthen the transition of students from non-credit adult education into credit-bearing college programs and into a high-demand career pathway in healthcare. This directly tackles the identified regional gap of "unclear educational & career pathways" for adult education students. Partnerships with workforce development and other community organizations will further integrate services.

    ◦Improves Effectiveness of Services: By directly addressing a critical workforce shortage in healthcare and offering a program with documented high demand, the consortium ensures its services are relevant and impactful. This contributes to the strategic goal of expanding and prioritizing offerings that prepare students for living-wage jobs, thereby improving overall service effectiveness.

  • How the activity will contribute to achieving short-term, intermediate, and (optional) long-term outcomes
    • Identifying new academic programs, pathways, and industry need. 
    • Recruiting and securing qualified faculty and instructors
    • Developing and leveraging facilities: Accelerating Measure I bond planning for a new Del Norte Healthcare Training Hub in Crescent City is a high-priority project, which will support expanded nursing and other health education programs. 
  • How the activity will contribute to addressing and achieving targets related to the selected Student Barriers and adult education Metrics
  • The expansion will contribute to an increase in Career Technical Education (CTE) enrollment and completion rates, particularly within the healthcare sector and potentially others like skilled trades. This will positively impact job placement rates for students completing these CTE programs, a key indicator of effectiveness. 
  • The activity will drive the number of non-credit CTE students transitioning into credit-bearing programs, such as Medical Assistant students progressing to Nursing, which is a metric for effectiveness in non-credit to credit enrollment.
  • ▪Overall, by attracting new students to vocational training and providing clear pathways, the activity will contribute to the "Adults who Became Participants (AE 100 - Overall)" metric for the consortium.
  • The systematic identification of industry needs and program development will directly measure the "number of training programs developed in direct response to industry-identified needs".
Outcomes

Use the space provided to identify the Outcomes that the activity will accomplish in the next year (Short-Term), in one to three years (Intermediate), and in three to five years (Long-Term). The brief description of each of these three types of outcomes should include one or more outcomes that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

  • Completion of Workforce-Aligned Program Identification and Initial Curriculum Review: The consortium will identify adult education programs that align with the high-growth workforce sectors projected for Humboldt and Del Norte counties, such as healthcare, construction, and renewable energy.
  • Review current programming and curriculum to identify necessary revisions to meet these training needs, and identify any new curriculum to be built.
  • Initial Regional Program Expansion and Access 
  • Successfully recruited and retained qualified instructors to support the expanded regional programming.
  • Significant Program Diversification and Implementation in High-Demand Sectors: The Medical Assisting program at College of the Redwoods will be successfully expanded to the Del Norte Instructional Site.
  • Formalized and Effective Student Pathways: The consortium will have strengthened the links between non-credit and credit-bearing college classes, establishing clearer course sequences, and transitions to the workforce.
  • Comprehensive, Data-Driven, and Responsive Regional Program Portfolio: The NCAEC will operate with a comprehensive and adaptable portfolio of adult education programs that are consistently aligned with the dynamic, high-demand workforce needs of Humboldt and Del Norte counties, as informed by ongoing regional labor market analysis.
  • Established and Utilized Clear Pathways to Higher Education and Workforce: The consortium will have clearly defined, communicated, and highly utilized pathways for students to progress from adult education to higher education (credit programs) and directly into family-sustaining jobs across the consortium and region. This will include the systemic application of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and stackable certificates to maximize student credit and accelerate career progression.
  • Increased regional workforce competitiveness and economic mobility.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • Students and Programs: Career Technical Education (1003)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
NCAECRedwoods CCD06/20/2028
NCAECDel Norte County Unified06/20/2028
NCAECEureka City Schools06/20/2028
NCAECNorthern Humboldt Union High06/20/2028

Objective #2: Improve Integration of Services & Transitions

Create Cohesive Marketing & Programming

The NCAEC will act on development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing plan and improvements to adult education programming. The significance of a cohesive marketing and programming effort lies in its direct contribution to increasing access to services, boosting enrollment, and ensuring clear pathways for adult learners to achieve their educational and career goals. 

The following initiatives will support this activity:

Developing a Consortium-Wide Marketing Plan

The NCAEC will collaborate with a marketing consultant to devise a plan that identifies optimal methods for disseminating information about adult education offerings and recruiting interested students. This plan will leverage promotional tools such as websites and social media platforms to enhance visibility and drive enrollment. Responsible agent(s): Consortium Lead, all members collaboratively.

Deliverable: Comprehensive consortium-wide marketing plan

Creating Promotional Materials

Consortium members will produce materials to promote all available programs, and their informational websites will be linked to provide easier access to these resources. Responsible agent(s): Consortium Lead, all members collaboratively.

Deliverable: New and regularly updated promotional materials for all consortium offerings

Centralizing Information Sharing 

Consortium members are committed to establishing a centralized platform for posting and sharing adult education services and offerings across the region. This initiative aims to foster a stronger network among adult education practitioners and facilitate connections between students and available programs. Responsible agent(s): Consortium Lead, all members collaboratively 

Deliverable: A centralized web-based platform for sharing Adult Education services and offerings available. 

Clarifying and Promoting Educational Pathways

The activity will reinforce the connection between Adult School education and credit-bearing college classes by promoting a clearer sequence from consortium educational offerings to credit-bearing classes. This also includes highlighting career pathways, such as the Medical Assistant non-credit programs to the Nursing credit-bearing program, and welding programs to welding credit programs. Responsible agent(s): Consortium Lead, all members collaboratively.

Deliverable: Shared student data tracking methods

Expanding Service Offerings and Access

Pathways are being strengthened between non-credit adult education and credit-bearing college classes or specific Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Access is being extended to key populations through various partnerships; for instance, a program at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility provides inmates with HiSET preparation, and college/workforce readiness classes, with continued assistance and pathways to education after release. New funding is dedicated to expanding language access resources and ESL training specifically linked to workforce opportunities in growing industries like healthcare, construction, and renewable energy, indicating a broader integration of language skills with in-demand jobs. Furthermore, the NCAEC is establishing partnerships with organizations like the Northern California Indian Development Council (NCIDC) to provide culturally relevant training and employment opportunities for tribal members and is enhancing reference and referral systems for community members with disabilities through a grant program with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). The consortium is also exploring consortium-wide credit for prior learning (CPL) and stackable certificates to offer more flexible credentialing options and ensure all funded members collectively provide foundational services like basic skills development, resume workshops, and job preparation. Responsible agent(s): Consortium Lead, all members collaboratively.

Deliverable: Clarified consortium-wide pathways and transitions between non-credit, credit bearing, and career programs.

Contribution to CAEP Objective: Utilizing Data

This activity directly supports the CAEP objective of Utilizing Data by embedding data collection and review into the process of improving services and reaching students effectively. The "Review Student Data" strategy, which is intrinsically linked to marketing promotion, explicitly uses CAEP student outcomes and reports as metrics for assessing effectiveness. By consistently reviewing this data, the NCAEC can refine its marketing strategies and programming to better address community needs and improve student outcomes, ensuring a coherent alignment of practices and procedures across the consortium.

Connection to Metrics: 

The core objective of this activity is to significantly increase the visibility of classes and services, which is expected to result in a direct increase in enrollment and, consequently, a higher number of participants. 


Outcomes

Use the space provided to identify the Outcomes that the activity will accomplish in the next year (Short-Term), in one to three years (Intermediate), and in three to five years (Long-Term). The brief description of each of these three types of outcomes should include one or more outcomes that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Short-term success will result in enhanced student recruitment and visibility of offerings through a new consortium-wide marketing plan utilizing promotional materials, websites, and social media platforms. It will also result in improved effectiveness of services by investing in professional development for staff on CASAS testing, ESL curriculum, data collection, reporting, and networking.



  • Achieve a measurable increase in web traffic and social media engagement across consortium members' platforms, indicating enhanced visibility of adult education offerings, leveraging promotional tools such as websites and social media platforms. 
  • Realize a demonstrable increase in referrals from key partners (such as the Humboldt County Office of Education and the Workforce Development Board, including America’s Job Centers of CA), directly attributable to improved marketing efforts.
  • Expand promotional efforts to specifically target the Correctional Facility program, aiming for increased awareness and enrollment among inmates for ESL, high school equivalency, and college/career readiness classes.
  • Improve student retention and completion rates across programs, attributed in part to students having easier access to information about complementary services and pathways via the centralized platform.
  • Establish the centralized platform as the authoritative and most utilized resource for adult learners, community partners, and referring agencies seeking adult education services in the region.
  • Enhance data collection and analysis capabilities regarding regional program demand and student needs, leveraging the centralized platform's usage data.


Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
NCAECRedwoods CCD06/20/2028
NCAECDel Norte County Unified06/20/2028
NCAECEureka City Schools06/20/2028
NCAECNorthern Humboldt Union High06/20/2028

Objective #3: Improve Effectiveness of Services

Professional Development

  • The activity that will be carried out
    • This activity involves providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all North Coast Adult Education Consortium (NCAEC) members and staff. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of adult education services by improving staff skills in various areas. This includes attending webinars and conferences related to adult education offerings. Collaborating with a Targeted Technical Assistance Coach for professional development in areas like data collection, reporting, and networking, and fostering a network with other consortia throughout the state to share information and best practices. Specifically, K-12 Consortium members will seek professional development for CASAS testing and assessment and for the development of classes. Adult School staff will also explore ESL curriculum to better meet student needs. Furthermore, the Consortium Lead will participate in the CAEP Consortium Lead Academy, which covers topics such as organizational leadership, program development and evaluation, fiscal resource management, data collection, and regional networking.
  • What agencies or individuals will carry out the activity
    • All Consortium members are expected to attend professional development offerings offered through CAEP and throughout the state. This includes College of the Redwoods (CR) and the K-12 districts (Del Norte County Unified, Eureka City Schools, Northern Humboldt Union High).
  • Key deliverables
    • Regular attendance by all consortium members at adult education webinars and statewide conferences.
    • Direct professional development engagement with the Targeted Technical Assistance Coach for all members, focusing on data collection, reporting, and networking.
    • Development of a communication network with other state consortia to facilitate information exchange and identify ways to close service gaps.
    • Participation of the Consortium Lead in the CAEP Consortium Lead Academy to enhance leadership and operational effectiveness.
  • How the activity will contribute to achieving one or more of the three CAEP objectives
    • Ineffectiveness of Services / Service Quality: This is the core barrier addressed. By improving staff skills, knowledge, and coordination through professional development, the overall quality and effectiveness of adult education services are enhanced, directly addressing issues like high turnover and past compliance problems. Creating guiding documents for the consortium will greatly increase the effectiveness and the ability to remain cohesive and functional even with Consortium turnover. 
    • Improve Integration of Services & Transitions: Professional development in networking and understanding services of other consortia and partners will facilitate stronger linkages and seamless transitions for students. Training for student development advisors and instructors on reinforcing credit-bearing classes as a "next step" contributes to clear pathways from non-credit to credit programs and career opportunities. The Consortium Lead Academy's focus on "Regional Networking and Priorities" will further support this objective.
  • How the activity will contribute to achieving short-term, intermediate, and (optional) long-term outcomes:
    • Improved accuracy and timeliness of data collection and reporting, leading to better-informed programmatic decisions and compliance with CAEP requirements. More integrated service delivery facilitated by stronger networks and shared understanding among consortium members and partners. Sustained improvement in overall program quality, student outcomes, and institutional capacity throughout the North Coast Adult Education Consortium. This translates to a more resilient and adaptable adult education system that can consistently meet the evolving needs of the region's adult learners and employers. The enhanced effectiveness will contribute to long-term sustainability.
  • How the activity will contribute to addressing and achieving targets related to the selected Student Barriers and adult education Metrics:
    •  A more effective and well-managed adult education system, resulting from professional development, is more likely to attract and retain students, contributing to an increase in overall participation 
Outcomes

Use the space provided to identify the Outcomes that the activity will accomplish in the next year (Short-Term), in one to three years (Intermediate), and in three to five years (Long-Term). The brief description of each of these three types of outcomes should include one or more outcomes that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

  • All consortium member will regularly attend adult education webinars and statewide conferences.
  • The Consortium Lead will actively participate in the CAEP Consortium Lead Academy.
  • Enhanced Understanding of Data and Reporting Tools 
  • Consortium members will begin to develop a communication network with other consortia throughout the state to share information and best practices 
  • Improved Compliance and Timeliness: Consortium members will demonstrate consistent submission of required reports and data by deadlines, leading to a reduction in past due items that previously resulted in CAEP technical assistance.
  • Development of Guiding Documents (Initial Phase): Member Handbook & Director Handbook.
  • Demonstrably Improved Data Accuracy and Use: Consortium members will exhibit a greater understanding and consistent application of reporting metrics, leading to enhanced accuracy and timeliness of CAEP student outcomes and other required reports. Data teams will proactively use these metrics to inform programmatic decisions.
  • Proactive Program Planning and Adaptation: Through increased communication and networking with other consortia, the NCAEC will identify and begin to close gaps in offerings and access more proactively, moving away from a reactive planning approach. This includes adapting programs based on regional needs assessments and workforce data.
  • Formalized Best Practices and Procedures
  • Enhanced Service to Diverse Populations
  • Sustained Improvement in Consortium Effectiveness and Compliance: The NCAEC will demonstrate consistent achievement of its objectives related to improving the effectiveness of services, maintaining high levels of compliance with CAEP reporting and requirements, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for external technical assistance related to past compliance issues.
  • Optimized Student Progression and Career Readiness: Students across Humboldt and Del Norte counties will benefit from a seamless and well-supported educational journey, with increased rates of transition to post-secondary education and high-demand CTE careers.
  • Robust, Data-Driven Program Evolution: The consortium will have a mature system for tracking progress towards its goals and objectives, consistently using data insights to evaluate program effectiveness, identify emerging needs, and adapt offerings in response to regional labor market changes and student barriers.
  • Resilient and Adaptable Adult Education System.

Adult Education Metrics and Student Barriers

  • All: Participants (202AE)

Responsible Positions, Responsible Consortium Members, and Proposed Completion Date

Responsible PositionResponsible MemberProposed Completion Date
NCAECRedwoods CCD06/20/2028
NCAECDel Norte County Unified06/20/2028
NCAECEureka City Schools06/20/2028
NCAECNorthern Humboldt Union High06/20/2028

Funds Evaluation

Member Allocations and Expenditures

Member AgencyPrior Year Total Leveraged FundsProgram Reporting Status
Del Norte County Unified $34,434Certified
Eureka City Schools $320,171Certified
Northern Humboldt Union High $0Certified
Redwoods CCD $824,212Certified
Totals$1,178,817 4/4 Certified

The Consortium will develop and submit a CFAD annually.  The Consortium will reevaluate our funding needs annually and discuss what is needed to lower the carryover each year as well as strategies to spend down funds in a timely manner. This will be discussed as part of our annual by-laws review. At this time none of the members have other resources that are not reported in NOVA.

Certification

Del Norte County Unified - Member Representative

Approved by Jeff Napier 4640202

06/20/2025 11:39 AM PDT

Eureka City Schools - Member Representative

Approved by Adriana West

06/20/2025 11:40 AM PDT

Northern Humboldt Union High - Member Representative

Approved by Jack Bareilles

06/20/2025 11:40 AM PDT

Redwoods CCD - Member Representative

Approved by Amber Cavanaugh

06/20/2025 11:38 AM PDT