The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Chancellor’s Office) released the first version of the Basic Needs Center Toolkit in June 2022, following the passage of AB 123—state legislation which established funding for each California community college to establish a Basic Needs Center, or enhance an existing one. Since the passage of the bill, colleges have made great strides to increase basic needs services for students across the system. As of 2024, all California community colleges are now offering basic needs services, informative websites to provide information to students regarding available services, and dedicated campus staff.
The April 2025 toolkit update includes new information, examples, and resources. View a one-page overview of the key changes: 2025 Basic Needs Toolkit Overview.
This toolkit can be used by a wide range of individuals and groups in the campus community, including:
- Basic needs coordinators
- College leaders and decision-makers
- Basic needs task forces
- Student support services leadership, staff, and administrators
- College counselors, health services staff, and mental health providers
- Staff who support relevant student programs (e.g., NextUp, EOPS, CalWORKs, MESA)
- Financial aid staff
- Food pantry organizers and staff
- Residential life staff
- Leaders and staff engaged in equity work
- Student-run associations and organizations addressing basic needs
- Librarians
- Staff members who work with community-based organizations
- All campus leaders, staff, faculty, and administrators who are invested in promoting student success and equity by addressing barriers to meeting basic needs