TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents and any needed subsequent amendments with the County of Orange/Orange County Workforce Investment Board to accept Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds totaling $200,000 for a Veterans Employment Assistance Program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The County of Orange/Orange County Workforce Investment Board (OCWIB) submitted a grant proposal to the State’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency to implement a regional approach to the delivery of services to veterans returning from deployment. OCWIB received notice in June that the project application was funded for $444,000. Of that amount, Pacific Gateway will receive up to $200,000. As part of this award, Pacific Gateway is required to demonstrate a dollar-for-dollar cash or in-kind service match in the amount of $200,000.
This regional project will serve 40 veterans through a comprehensive approach to addressing employment transition and re-entry into the local workforce in high-demand occupations. Services including employment assistance, training opportunities and social services, will be provided through a collaborative partnership among one-stop career centers in the region, military institutions, veterans service organizations, public and private education agencies, labor organizations, economic development and business services, and public and non-profit agencies providing specialized support services.
Pacific Gateway will target outreach and recruitment to returning veterans and coordinate the provision of services for an estimated 40 veterans through its career centers in Long Beach and San Pedro.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney on August 11, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 18, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 1, 2015, in order to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP) grants are funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Through its partnership with OCWIB, Pacific Gateway will receive up to $200,000 in VEAP funds. Sufficient funding for this program is budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Human Resources Department (HR). An in-kind match commitment of $200,000 will be funded by co-enrollment in other existing WIA grant programs in the form of budgeted staff time, individual training accounts and on-the-job training services. Approval of this recommendation will result in employment preparation, placement, and retention services to 40 resident veterans.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH R. MILLS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER