TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents and amendments, with the County of Los Angeles to receive and expend $650,000 in grant funds, to operate a Youth Jobs Program that will assist approximately 309 youth, ages 14-24, for the term of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (County) authorized funding for the seven Los Angeles County Workforce Development Boards and other Service Providers to continue facilitating this year’s youth employment opportunities for qualifying youth. The County recently notified Pacific Gateway that it is to receive additional funds of $650,000 to augment its current strategies and serve an additional 309 eligible youth for the 2016 Youth Jobs Program (YJP). Eligible youth must be receiving benefits as part of the California Work Opportunity & Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) household and maintaining age specific school attendance requirements determined by the State of California. Additionally, youth that are foster youth, on probation, homeless, or low income are also eligible.
YJP is designed to provide paid work experience opportunities and work readiness skills to qualified youth. The goal of the program is to introduce youth participants to the workplace, gain valuable employment skills, and earn an income. The program also provides the youth participants with incentives to stay in school, maintain a good academic standing, and learn about a viable career pathway. Moreover, the program is designed to introduce youth participants to the Los Angeles County’s Public Library system to utilize the free resources and online courses offered at the Public Library’s website. Eligible youth may work an average of 125 hours during their participation in the program, while earning skills, experience, and wages. In partnership with Unified School Districts, Los Angeles County Probation Department, and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the program will expose youth to opportunities in industries with an emphasis in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The County of Los Angeles will help facilitate youth outreach, deploying an automated database solution for Pacific Gateway to utilize for enrollments. Pacific Gateway will lead work site development efforts in Long Beach and Signal Hill, and will be responsible for work readiness training, quality assurance oversight, payroll, and case management of the trainees.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on June 7, 2016 and by Revenue Management Officer Julissa José-Murray on June 2, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 21, 2016, to facilitate processing of required documents to accept funding for the program year that begins July 1, 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Youth Jobs Program grant of $650,000 is funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family Funds through a grant from the County of Los Angeles. This funding is currently budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Economic and Property Development Department (EP). The grant does not require matching funds or in-kind services. Approval of this recommendation will result in placement of approximately 309 youth into temporary employment.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC &
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER