TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary agreements with Sonoma State University for a grant totaling $30,000, including any subsequent amendments that change the terms or increase grant amount, for the Disability Program Navigator Initiative. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In October the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network (Network) successfully won $180,000 in federal funding from the State of California to operate an employment initiative that provides targeted employment and career development assistance to disabled residents. The California Health Incentives Improvement Project (CHIIP) created and funded by a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - has now agreed to augment the Network's project by $30,000 through an arrangement with Sonoma State University.
Over the last few years, the Network has developed collaborative relationships with local organizations to form a service consortium that includes AbilityFirst, Goodwill, the State Department of Rehabilitation, the Disabled Resource Center, CSU Long Beach Disabled Student Services, Long Beach City College - Disabled Student Programs and Services, the Social Security Administration, and the Long Beach Mental Health Center. The target populations for this project are individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, or have developmental disabilities. Services are coordinated through the Career Transition Center in conjunction with the many project partners, with the goal of employment and career advancement opportunities that result in increased livablewage jobs with benefits.
More than 400 residents were provided intensive services in FY 07, with an increase planned for the current Fiscal Year. Similar funding last year provided 2 full-time equivalents (FTE) of staffing through the Network, and through contractor agencies AbilityFirst and Goodwill. The initial October funding from the State provided an FTE increase to 2.75 employment specialists to address the additional cities of Torrance and Lomita. The new CHIIP funding will increase overall staffing to approximately 3.0 FTEs.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on December 3, 2007 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on January 7,2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 15, 2008 to facilitate processing of the required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD). This is no impact on the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dennis J. Thys
Director of Community Development
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |