Executive Summary – Rebuilding Lives Workforce and Community College Plan
Prepared for Merced Community College District (MCCD)
Author: Micki Archuleta, Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed.
Founder, Rebuilding Lives Initiative
micki@rebuilding-lives-initiative.org rebuilding-lives-initiative.org
Overview
The Rebuilding Lives Initiative (RLI) is a community-based workforce education prototype developed to unite housing stability, job training, and mental-health support in one integrated system. Built in partnership with local educators and civic leaders, the model connectseducation with real-world challenges in Merced County. Initially designed for the Yosemite Community College District, RLI is now being adapted for Merced College to align with MCCD’s mission of innovation, equity, and workforce readiness.
Why It Matters
Merced County faces overlapping challenges—housing insecurity, limited employment pathways, and fragmented mental-health access. RLI bridges these gaps by providing:
• Hybrid coursework and simulation modules based on real community data.
• Monthly public forums at the Merced County Library to connect residents, students, and local agencies.
• Instructional modules already built and tested in college-level courses that can be integrated into MCCD’s adult education and CTE offerings.
Current Status
RLI is a functional prototype with fully developed course content, an instructional framework, and digital game-based learning elements. What’s needed now is completion and scaling through institutional partnership with MCCD to transform the prototype into a permanent workforce platform.
Proposed Partnership
MCCD’s Workforce and Continuing Education Division is invited to:
1. Review the attached plan and prototype materials.
2. Collaborate on platform completion and instructional integration.
3. Join a joint grant or pilot initiative with the Merced Community Foundation to support sustainable rollout.
Next Steps
A short meeting is requested to discuss:
• Co-development under MCCD’s Workforce Development Division,
• Opportunities for student involvement and data collection, and
• Collaboration with the Merced Community Foundation for local implementation.
Contact
Micki Archuleta, PhD, MA, MEd
Founder, Rebuilding Lives Initiative
micki@rebuilding-lives-initiative.org
rebuilding-lives-initiative.org
Merced, California
Rebuilding Lives Workforce Plan
1. Overview
The Rebuilding Lives Workforce Initiative (RLI) is a prototype workforce education model designed to integrate housing stability, workforce readiness, and mental-health awareness into a single community-based framework. Originally developed for the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD), this plan is now being adapted for Merced Community College District (MCCD) to explore partnership opportunities that align with MCCD’s goals for community advancement, career technical education (CTE), and lifelong learning. The program represents an intersection of workforce innovation and social impact — connecting students and adult learners with real-world pathways to employment, community service, and personal stability.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this plan is to:
• Present a scalable educational model that links workforce training with wraparound supports.
• Demonstrate how the RLI prototype can be completed and institutionalized through MCCD’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division.
• Offer a framework for partnership between higher education, local government, and nonprofit organizations to meet Merced County’s workforce and housing challenges.
3. Background and Development
The Rebuilding Lives Initiative began as a serious educational game and instructional module series created and tested in classroom settings across multiple courses.
The prototype already includes:
• Fully developed lesson plans and assignments aligned to community problem-solving outcomes.
• Scenarios and modules addressing housing insecurity, employment barriers, and community health systems.
• A working interactive digital platform used to teach workforce skills, advocacy, and civic engagement.
The next step is to complete product development and transition the system from a classroom prototype to a fully deployable workforce learning platform hosted by MCCD and regional
partners.
4. Alignment with MCCD Strategic Goals
MCCD Strategic Focus Rebuilding Lives Alignment
Workforce Readiness
Provides simulation-based and project-based learning aligned to real community needs.
Equity and Access Supports underrepresented and marginalized learners through hybrid delivery (in-person + digital).
Community Partnerships
Builds collaborative relationships among County agencies, nonprofits, and industry. Innovation Integrates educational technology, data literacy, and civic leadership training.
5. Proposed Collaboration Areas
1. Program Integration
o Embed RLI modules within CTE or Adult Education pathways.
o Cross-list select topics (e.g., advocacy, housing systems, workforce planning).
2. Co-Development and Completion of the Platform
o Partner with MCCD’s instructional technology and workforce divisions to finalize the digital tool.
o Collaborate with faculty and instructional designers for accreditation alignment.
3. Community Forums and Pilot Delivery
o Host monthly forums at the Merced County Library or campus to engage students, residents, and local employers.
o Collect data on student learning outcomes and workforce placement.
6. Expected Outcomes
• A completed workforce training platform integrating data, reflection, and civic engagement.
• Increased student employability and community participation.
• Strengthened partnerships among MCCD, county agencies, and local nonprofits.
• Creation of a replicable model for use across California community colleges.
7. Request for Collaboration
The Rebuilding Lives Initiative requests:
1. Formal review of the attached plan and prototype materials by MCCD’s Workforce and Continuing Education Division.
2. A meeting or listening session to identify integration points and next steps for joint implementation.
3. Support to complete the prototype through MCCD resources or external grant collaboration.
8. Contact
Micki Archuleta, Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed.
Founder, Rebuilding Lives Initiative
micki@rebuilding-lives-initiative.org
rebuilding-lives-initiative.org
Merced, California