CALWORKS

Description Of Indicator

This indicator reports the average number and percent of children per month under the age of 18 years receiving financial assistance through California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs). Any change in the number of CalWORKs beneficiaries is an indicator of a change in poverty status.

Why is this important?

The percent of children benefiting from CalWORKs is an indicator of Orange County’s capacity to help families struggling to make ends meet and at the same time, responsibly care for their children. This indicator also reflects a widespread need for financial support among families in need across Orange County as CalWORKs beneficiaries receive financial and employment assistance. The goals of the CalWORKs program include reduced welfare dependency, increased self-sufficiency, and improved child well-being by encouraging parental responsibility through school attendance, child immunizations requirements and by assisting with paternity and child support enforcement activities.

Findings

• In 2016/17, 4.7% (34,485) of Orange County’s children received CalWORKs assistance which is a 17.5% increase from 4.0% in 2007/08. Overall Orange County is lower than California at 5.2%.

• Since 2011/12, the proportion of children receiving CalWORKs has been steadily declining, mirroring a nationwide trend.

• Young children (zero to five years of age) accounted for 30% of the youth population receiving CalWORKs assistance.

• The cities of Anaheim at 8.4% (7,349), Santa Ana at 8.3% (7,792), Stanton at 6.0% (612), Cypress at 5.6% (599), Buena Park at 5.5% (1,072), and Garden Grove at 5.5% (2,221) have the highest percentages of children receiving CalWORKs.

• Cities with the lowest percentage of children receiving CalWORKs include Newport Beach at 0.5% (78), Rancho Santa Margarita at 0.6% (76), Laguna Beach at 0.6% (23), Villa Park at 0.6% (7), Aliso Viejo at 0.7% (96), and Yorba Linda at 0.9% (152).

Percent