Alicia Hernandez

Program Specialist

I started working at Fast Track To Work in August 1998 as a student worker. I was a CalWORKs student, single mother, and Criminal Justice major at the time. I changed my major twice and worked in a couple of different departments at Cabrillo College before coming to work for FTTW full time in November 2000. In my position, I am responsible for processing the necessary paperwork to pay for each CalWORKs and/or WIA student’s educational and training expenses. I am also charged with tracking, auditing and analyzing information about the students served by the FTTW program, and reporting this information to the California Community Colleges System office and CareerWorks of Santa Cruz County. One of the most important components of my job, though, is communication. I spend much of my time answering questions about the Fast Track To Work program, the benefits and regulations of the CalWORKs and WIA programs, student rights and responsibilities at Cabrillo College, communicating student needs to county workers, and making referrals to other on-campus and community resources.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and my friends. We watch movies, hang out at the beach, go swimming at the pool, and in general try to take advantage of the beautiful area we call home. There’s almost always something going on and you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy it!