TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute contracts totaling $801,251 with qualified service providers to operate Workforce Investment Act Youth Academy Projects, for the period of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Workforce Investment Network (Network) operates the Youth Opportunity Center to facilitate assistance with education completion, access to career and technical education and training, participation in internships, and other work-based experiences.
To maximize outreach in the communities covered by the Network and to deliver many of the above services prescribed by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) , the Network contracts with qualified education and community-based organizations to deliver many of these intensive academic and vocational training program elements.
The Workforce Investment Board's Youth Council released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify projects and service providers for the period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2010, with an option for renewal for Program Years 2010-2012. The procurement focused on projects to serve youth who are economically disadvantaged and face barriers to completing an educational program or securing and retaining employment. Project Proposals required:
● Collaborative partnerships with education, business, labor, social services and community-based organizations;
● Academic achievement and improvement, especially for youth who are basic skills deficient or in need of returning to school;
● Education (short and long-term vocational training) and work experience strategies tied to industry needs that expose, prepare and place youth in high growth and high-demand industries; and
● Sufficient supportive services and resources to ensure youth success.
From that procurement, eight contracts were awarded to six entities that provided various educational and skills training services to youth participants residing in the Network's Region 1 (Long Beach/Signal Hill) and Region 2 (Lomita/Torrance) areas from July 2008 through June 2010.
To ensure that projects for Program Years 2010-2012 remain consistent with WIA requirements and the parameters of the current RFP, the Youth Council invited current and interested providers to submit abbreviated program proposals for an additional two years. The Youth Council reviewed those Proposals and recommended funding and service levels on June 3, 2010, to the Workforce Investment Board's Executive Committee. In addition, in light of the lack of a fundable response for services in Region 2 (Torrance and Lomita), the Youth Council recommended that staff initiate a competitive solicitation requesting proposals for targeted services in this region for Program Year 2010-2012.
On June 15, 2010, the Workforce Investment Board's Executive Committee approved of forwarding those recommendations to the City Council. Below is an outline of recommended projects, target populations, industry focus areas, approximate numbers to be served, and proposed contract amounts. The remaining $200,000 in project funding will be re-bid for services to Region 2 with a subsequent contract recommendation coming back to the City Council in approximately two months.
AGENCY TARGET CONTRACT ESTIMATED SECTOR /
POPULATION AMOUNT SERVICE SKILLS TRAINING
(REG. 1 ONLY) LEVELS FOCUS
ACCORD/Community Out-of- School $300,000 60 Energy/Utilities
(Long Beach-based) Retail/Customer
Service
Centro Community Out of School $175,000 35 Healthcare
Hispanic Association, Law Enforcement
Inc. In-School $40,000 10 Technology
(Long Beach-based)
California State In-School $90,000 30 Healthcare
University, Long Beach Office Administration
Foundation Computer Systems
(Long Beach-based)
Goodwill Serving the Out-of-School $196,251 30 Healthcare
People of Southern Los
Angeles County
(Long Beach-based)
TOTAL ACADEMY $801,251 165
PROJECTS
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on June 1, 2010 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 3, 2010.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 22, 2010, to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD) for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY 10) activities. The remaining amounts will be appropriated via the Fiscal Year 2011 and 2012 budget processes. There is no impact to the General Fund. Approval of this recommendation will result in employment and educational services to 165 youth residents.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DENNIS J. THYS |
APPROVED: |
DIRECTOR |
|
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
|
|
PATRICK H. WEST |
|
CITY MANAGER |