TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, and any necessary amendments thereof, with the U.S. Department of Labor to receive up to $4,000,000 in H-1B Job Training Grants to implement the Strengthening Working Families Initiative; execute agreements with various initiative partner providers in a total amount of $665,000 for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020; and
Increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) by $4,000,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway administers the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other employment and training funds received annually by the City. Those funds support job training programs and business services delivered by the Career Transition Center, Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center, and selected community-based organizations to assist local residents to acquire skills leading to employment in high demand occupations with local employers.
Pacific Gateway initiated a collaboration with a consortium of business and education partners in response to a grant solicitation by the U.S Department of Labor in support of demand industries. The proposal contains a multi-strategic effort to help 400 unemployed and underemployed parents to connect to quality employment in strong, local industry sectors with H-1B impacted occupations. The Advancing Long Beach Families Project (Project) will introduce a number of system changes with broad, lasting impact on the City’s WIOA services. Pacific Gateway is partnering with the City’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Long Beach Early Childhood Education (LBECE) Committee to implement a system that removes financial and bureaucratic barriers that currently prevent parents from thriving. To further increase access, Pacific Gateway will pilot additional strategies: co-location of cohorts at childcare or school sites;, development of childcare plans for each participant;, expansion of online modality;, and new pathway training programs. These Project components will be developed and refined through a customer-centered design approach that builds on past success to deliver individualized services and strategies. The four-year project aims to provide training and educational support for individuals in healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and education.
The Project will be accomplished through the execution of occupational skills, on-the-job and/or customized training agreements with Long Beach Community College District, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and other training providers, as well as work experience agreements that will provide the needed training for each impacted resident; the duration of each agreement will factor-in the existing skill level of each candidate appropriate to the training occupation
Agreements for services through this Project are requested as follows:
Entity Role & Responsibility Contract Amount Contract / BPO Term
Long Beach Memorial Medical Provide customized training and/or $200,000 7/1/2016 - 6/30/2020
Center/Miller Children’s Hospital on-the-job training to program
(MemorialCare) experience hours.
Long Beach Early Childhood Provide recruitment and outreach $50,000 7/1/2016 - 6/30/2020
Committee services.
Manage and screen qualified childcare providers
facilitate Supportive Services
Serve as Systems Change Agent
Centro Community Hispanic Provide recruitment and case $140,000 7/1/2016 - 6/30/2020
Association management services
Carey and Associates Serve as convener for partners. $75,000 10/1/2016 - 9/30/2018
Provide various workforce
development services for
Pacific Gateway under RFP
as Subject Matter Experts
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on September 19, 2016 and by Revenue Management Officer Julissa Josýé-Murray on September 15, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 4, 2016, to facilitate timely processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Strengthening Working Families Initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the H-1B Visa Funds. Pacific Gateway will receive up to $4,000,000 in grant funds for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020. Appropriation for the $4,000,000 is requested in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Economic and Property Development Department (EP). An in-kind leverage commitment of $1,000,000 will be provided in the form of budgeted staff time from Pacific Gateway, Health and Human Services Department, and Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee. Approval of this recommendation will result in employment preparation, placement, and retention services to 400 individuals.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KATHRYN MCDERMOTT
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF
ECONOMIC AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER