(a) (1) The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program is hereby established at the California Community Colleges to provide culturally responsive services to enhance student educational experiences and promote higher education success for low-income, underserved, and first-generation AANHPI students and other underrepresented students.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the program be coordinated with the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program established at the California State University pursuant to Article 11 (commencing with Section 89297) of Chapter 2 of Part 55 of Division 8.

(b) (1) Of the amount appropriated in the annual Budget Act for the program, up to 19 percent shall be allocated to a community college district to contract with a statewide central office at a nonprofit organization selected by the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, in consultation with the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. The office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, in consultation with the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, shall periodically review the selection contract to ensure program alignment and effectiveness.

(2) The statewide central office shall employ at least the following full-time staff:

(A) One director.

(B) One program coordinator.

(C) One program analyst.

(3) The statewide central office, in consultation with the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, shall develop the criteria and process for a grant program to provide funding to qualifying community colleges, pursuant to subdivision (c).

(4) The statewide central office, in consultation with the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, shall establish an AANHPI stakeholder process for purposes of the program to facilitate the statewide central office’s ability to meet the needs of the community, including students and community colleges. Stakeholders shall include higher education practitioners and students.

(5) The statewide central office shall provide support to qualifying community colleges, including, but not limited to, technical assistance, outreach, statewide and regional trainings, curriculum development, and capacity building.

(6) The statewide central office shall provide an annual report to the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges pursuant to subdivision (d).

(7) The statewide central office shall fund an independent evaluation of the program pursuant to subdivision (e).

(c) (1) Of the amount appropriated in the annual Budget Act for the program, at least 81 percent shall be provided to community colleges with the following qualifications:

(A) The college is eligible for the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution program authorized under the federal Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g et seq.).

(B) The college has experience providing student support services to AANHPI students and other underserved students.

(C) The college has program staff that will coordinate with campus faculty and staff to effectively deliver support services to AANHPI students.

(2) Participating colleges shall provide all of the following services:

(A) Culturally responsive learning communities.

(B) Advising and counseling services.

(C) Mental health counseling and awareness services.

(D) Career development, career readiness, and employment services.

(E) Supplemental instruction and tutoring, such as English language development and support.

(F) Asian American, Pacific Islander studies courses and curriculum development.

(G) Leadership development, internships, and mentorships.

(d) On or before March 31 of each year, the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall submit a report to the Department of Finance and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall be prepared by the statewide central office. The report shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(1) The amount of funding allocated to each participating community college.

(2) A description of the services provided by each participating community college.

(3) The number of students served by each participating community college.

(4) The number of low-income, underserved, and first-generation AANHPI students served.

(5) The number of students served who meet any of, or any combination of, the following:

(A) Completed certifications.

(B) Attained associate degrees.

(C) Attained associate degrees for transfer.

(D) Transferred.

(E) Obtained a job upon completion.

(e) On or before March 31, 2026, the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall submit a report evaluating the program to the Department of Finance and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall be prepared by an independent evaluator selected by the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. The report shall include an assessment of the impact of the program, including a comparison of the impact of the program relative to other support strategies implemented by each participating campus for the same or similar student groups.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 572, Sec. 9. (AB 190) Effective September 27, 2022.)