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ROCP

Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCPs): career and workforce preparation for high school students and adults, preparation for advanced training, and the upgrading of existing skills.

California's 74 Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCP) have been a strong and integral part of California's educational system for over 40 years. ROCPs provide high school students 16 years of age and older, and also adult students, with valuable career and technical education so students can (1) enter the workforce with skills and competencies to be successful, (2) pursue advanced training in postsecondary educational institutions, or (3) upgrade existing skills and knowledge.

Approximately 470,000 students enroll in ROCPs each year. Students receive training at a variety of venues from regular classrooms on high school campuses to actual businesses and industry facilities, such as automotive dealerships and hospitals. In most ROCPs, courses are offered during the regular school day throughout the school year, in the late afternoon and evening, and sometimes during the summer months. ROCPs provide rigorous and high quality programs which contribute to students' academic and career achievement which, in turn, support the economic development of the state. Students gain a unique edge in the workforce by successfully completing ROCP training. Student enrollment in ROCPs varies from small numbers in rural northern California to thousands in large urban areas. ROCPs help to close the "achievement gap" by motivating students to learn both academic and occupational skills for future success in a career of the student's choosing.

In addition to the specific skills and comprehensive career education offered, ROCPs also offer employment survival skills in many aspects of a particular industry sector, placement assistance, counseling and guidance services, and other critical support services for students. ROCPs fall under one of three distinct organizational structures: (1) school districts participating in a county office of education operated ROCP, (2) school districts participating under a joint powers agreement, or (3) a single school district. ROCPs in California collaborate with public agencies and associations to create and implement important instructional classes and programs. Examples of these programs include: Certified Nurse Assistant/Home Health Care Aide (CNA/HCA), Automotive Youth Education Systems Programs (AYES), ROCP California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), and SkillsUSA. One of the strengths of the ROCP delivery system is that ROCPs work in partnership with local businesses and industries to design and provide programs for industry-based, transferable and portable certification programs based upon job market demand.

Many ROCPs work in partnership with a variety of California labor organizations to provide apprenticeship related and supplemental instruction to the more than 25,000 apprentices in California's trade careers.

ROCPs are a major resource in California's workforce development system to address the shortage of a highly qualified, skilled, and diverse workforce. Preparing California's youth and adults to be successful in the workforce adds to the economic well-being of California.

ROCP Regions and Contact Information

Central Region Contact:
Clay Mitchell, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: 916-445-5568
E-mail: cmitchel@cde.ca.gov

Coastal Region Contact:
Michelle Oliveira, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: 916-319-0675
E-mail: moliveira@cde.ca.gov

Northern Region Contact:
Michelle Oliveira, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: 916-319-0675
E-mail: moliveira@cde.ca.gov

Southern Region Contact:
Clay Mitchell, Education Programs Consultant
E-mail: cmitchel@cde.ca.gov

Southern Region Contact:
Michelle Oliveira, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: 916-319-0675
E-mail: moliveira@cde.ca.gov

Funding

(Until categorical program flexibility is lifted, the following funding description is obsolete.)

ROCPs must reach their base average daily attendance (ADA) before earning any additional ADA. All ADA information is reported on the annual attendance reports.

For fiscal questions:

Halena Le, Staff Services Manager I
Principal Apportionment Unit
Phone: 916-322-5906

For programmatic questions:

Career Technical Education Leadership and Instructional Support Office
Phone: 916-322-5050

Categorical Program Flexibility

Funding for the ROCPs is unrestricted pursuant to SBX3 4 (Chapter 12, Statutes of 2009), enacted in February 2009, which authorizes flexibility of ROCP funds for 2008-09 through 2012-13.

Local educational agencies may utilize all of their ROCP funds to provide services for the program or they may use all or part of their ROCP funds for other educational purposes.

For more information on the ROCP funding flexibility provisions and SBX3 4, please visit the following Web pages:

The Career and Workforce Innovations office provides technical assistance to all ROCPs in the following areas:

Accountability

Information and resources to help Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCP) maintain compliance with federal and state law.

Course Development Process

Direct Support Professional Training Program

  • Information and resources for Regional Occupational Centers Programs that offer required training necessary for individuals to work in community care licensed facilities.

ROCP Model Programs and Practices

A joint committee between the California Department of Education and the California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (CAROCP) was formed to assure the quality of ROCP practices that promote student learning. The committee developed policies and measures to assist ROCPs in the areas of business services, organization structure, personnel services, and program accountability.

The ROCP Model Programs and Practices (MPP) identifies and recognizes outstanding career technical education programs that demonstrate exemplary and replicable qualities. For information on the ROCP MPP Recognition process, please visit the CAROCP Events External link opens in new window or tab. Web page. CDE encourages ROCPs that meet eligibility requirements to submit an application to CAROCP External link opens in new window or tab. .

Model Programs and Practices contact:
Clay Mitchell, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: 916-445-5568
E-mail: cmitchel@cde.ca.gov

Certified Nursing Program

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)

The California Department of Education (CDE) distributes funding to Regional Occupational Centers and Programs for educational activities for welfare recipient students and those in transition off of welfare. The educational activities are limited to those designed to increase self-sufficiency, job training, and work.

For information on California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) funding, please visit the CDE Funding Web page. From the Funding Web page, select "Search CDE Funding," type CalWORKs in the box under the header "keyword(s)," and select "Search CDE Funding."

CalWORKs program contact:
Gary Page, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: 916-319-0499
E-mail: gpage@cde.ca.gov

Resources

Contact Information

Career Technical Education (CTE) Leadership and Instructional Support Office
Career and College Transition Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4202
Sacramento, CA 95814

Questions:   CTE Leadership and Instructional Support | 916-322-5050
Last Reviewed: Thursday, September 25, 2014

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