Parents and Families

Welcome Student Parents!

We know that our Pirate Parents are among the hardest working pirates there are! We want you to be successful in navigating your courses, along with everything else you do. Below is an index of services, on and off campus, that can help you stay successful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, and not sure where to start, contact us at OCC Cares!

OCC Cares
(714) 432-5794
occcares@occ.cccd.edu

Childcare
Children's Center

The Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center’s primary goal is providing a comprehensive Early Care and Education program serving the families of student-parents, faculty/staff and the community. Interested students can apply to the program on the website.

More info:

Children’s Center
(714) 432-5569
childrenscenter@occ.cccd.edu
website

External Child Care Resources
- Children's Home Society of California
- CalWORKs Child Care
Additional resources can be found here on the OCC Cares site!
Family Care
- Eldercare Locator
- OC Office on Aging (800- 510-2020)
- OC Department of Education Website
Financial Support

Financial Aid

Financial Aid helps students apply for federal and state funding to help them pay for College. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the type of aid you apply for. Reach out to our Financial Aid department to get started.

More info:

Financial Aid
(714) 432-5508
occfinaid@occ.cccd.edu
website

Financial Wellness Program

Financial Wellness program is available through OCC’s Financial Aid department to educate and empower students through financial knowledge and resources, so they can ultimately apply this knowledge to their lives, have financial security, and attain financial wellness.

More info:

Financial Aid
(714) 432-5508
occfinaid@occ.cccd.edu
website

Emergency Loans

Emergency Loans are available through the ASOCC Emergency Loan Program.

Eligibility requirements include being 18 years of age or older, currently enrolled at Orange Coast College, College Service Charge (CSC) for the current term must be paid, student must have a verifiable means of repaying the loan, no current conduct-related holds on your student record, and not currently or previously delinquent on any Emergency Loan.

More info:

ASOCC
(714) 432-5730
studentlife@occ.cccd.edu
website
Food Resources

Cal Fresh

CalFresh is California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that awards individuals who are eligible with monthly grocery benefits to help increase their food budgets and afford healthier options. Benefit allotment ranges depending on household size, income, and expenses.

Eligibility Requirements include Students must be a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, between 18-49 years old, enrolled in at least half time (6 units or more), and meet some income requirements.

More Info:
Pirate’s Cove Pantry
(714) 432-6892
vmcgrathlee@occ.cccd.edu
website

WIC

California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services include benefits to buy healthy foods as well as nutrition information and healthy living tips, access to experts who specialize in nutrition for mothers and their children, and access to breastfeeding experts.

Eligibility requirements include being pregnant, breastfeeding or recently had a baby or a child or care for a child under five AND having a low-to-medium income or receiving Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF), or CalFresh (SNAP) benefits, and living in California.

More Info:
Pirate’s Cove Pantry
(714) 432-6892
vmcgrathlee@occ.cccd.edu
website

Pirate's Cove

Pirate’s Cove is OCC’s on-campus food pantry offering groceries, snacks, personal hygiene, and other basic needs such as CalFresh application assistance. We also offer referrals to community food pantries for students who are in need of additional support.

Eligibility requirements include being an active, enrolled student with a Student ID card.

More info:
Pirate’s Cove Pantry
(714) 432-5794
piratescove@occ.cccd.edu
website
Lactation Rooms
OCC has a number of Lactation Rooms on campus. We're currently working on a comprehensive list.

Student Union, First Floor, Room 107

Hours for Spring 2023

Mondays - Thursdays 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Fridays 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

To use the lactation room, check in at the Student Union Lobby Information Desk.

Additional Locations

Specific details are coming soon for the locations below.
- Student Health Center
- College Center, Room 108
OCC Programs for Student Parents

Baby Pirate Diaper Dash

Free monthly distribution of baby diapers and Pull-Ups (75 items per child, no income qualifications). In collaboration with Community Action Partnership of Orange County and the OCC Pirates' Cove.

More Info:
Vickie Hay, Student Services Program Coordinator
CalWORKs/Baby Pirate Diaper Dash
(714) 432-5636
vhay@occ.cccd.edu

CalWORKs

"Supporting parenting students who are changing their own lives, two generations at a time."

The CalWORKs Program provides case management, Priority Registration, academic counseling, advocacy, emergency transportation, childcare referrals, and campus workstudy opportunities for parenting students currently receiving public cash aid from their county Social Services Agency. OCC CalWORKs offers a "family friendly" office equipped with student computer stations and printing services, as well as a child-safe area for play. OCC CalWORKs collaborates with local county welfare offices and assists with educational verifications, document processing, and advocacy.

More Info:

Vickie Hay, Student Services Program Coordinator
CalWORKs/Baby Pirate Diaper Dash
(714) 432-5636
vhay@occ.cccd.edu
website

EOPS/CARE

EOPS is designed to provide additional support to students with economic and academic barriers to their education. Under the EOPS umbrella, we also have the Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program. CARE is a program for single parents who are currently receiving public assistance (CalWORKs/TANF/Cash Aid). The CARE program provides resources and support for disadvantaged single parents and promotes self-sufficiency through education and training.

More info:

EOPS/CARE
(714) 432-5173
careprogram@occ.cccd.edu
website
Priority Registration
OCC students who are parents may qualify for priority registration in the future! Priority registration for parents is estimated to be in place for the Spring 2024 semester, pursuant to state legislation.

In the meantime, please be sure that you've completed these key requirements to ensure that you have the earliest registration date possible:
1. Apply
2. Complete orientation (an online version is available in MyCoast)
3. Create a Student Education plan (you can do this during a counseling appointment)
More info:

Enrollment Center
(714) 432-5072
arinfo@occ.cccd.edu
website
Tax Credits Of Interest to Parents

The following tax credits may be relevant to student-parents:

California Earned Income Tax Credit

California Earned Income Tax Credit may be available to student parents and can be up to $3,417 for tax year 2022 as a working family or individual earning up to $30,000 per year.

Eligibility requirements include being at least 18 or having a qualifying child, earned income of $1 - $30,000, valid social security number or ITIN for yourself, your spouse and any qualifying children, living in CA for more than half the filing year, not eligible to be claimed as a qualifying child, not eligible to be claimed as a dependent of any other taxpayer (unless you have a qualifying child).

More info:

State of California Franchise Tax Board
(800) 852-5711
website

Young Child Tax Credit

Young Child Tax Credit may be available to student parents and can be up to $1,083 per tax return for Californians who have a child under 6 years old.

Eligibility requirements include having total wages, salaries, tips and other employee compensation not exceeding $32,490, a total net loss that does not exceed $32,490 and otherwise meeting the CalEITC and YCTC requirements.

More info:

State of California Franchise Tax Board
(800) 852-5711
website

In This Section

Welcome Student Parents!

Children's Center

External Child Care Resources