TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents or subcontracts including any subsequent amendments extending the grant term, or increasing the amount of the award, with the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Inc., to accept and expand grant funding in an amount not to exceed $294,227, to operate the Workforce Development Board of Los Angeles Basin Region Prison to Employment program, which serves formerly incarcerated and other justice involved individuals, for the period of April 4, 2023 to December 31, 2025; and
Increase appropriations in Community Development Fund Group in the Economic Development Department by $294,227, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Inc., to accept grant funds up to $294,227 to support the Prison to Employment (P2E) program, which will serve formerly incarcerated and other justice involved individuals.
In 2018, the California legislature appropriated state general funds for the P2E Initiative to be administered by the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB). Workforce service providers across California use P2E funds for the integration of workforce, reentry services, and supportive services, paving a pathway towards employment and away from recidivism for the formerly incarcerated and justice-involved population.
California releases approximately 40,000 people from the state prison system each year, many of whom have received in-prison job-training services such as Career Technical Education (CTE) training or have participated in programs operated by the California Prison Industry Authority (CalPIA). Concurrently, California manages federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds through its State Plan, developed by the CWDB and implemented by local workforce development boards across the state. The P2E program is intended to strengthen linkages between the state workforce and corrections systems in order to improve the process by which the formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals reenter society and the labor force. The partnership’s goal is to improve labor market outcomes for justice-involved individuals by creating a systemic and ongoing partnership between rehabilitative programs.
The P2E program and partnership with Pacific Gateway will link education, job training, and work experience in prison to post-release jobs by fostering a system of coordinated service delivery to a population that faces a variety of barriers. It serves as a blueprint for building local and regional partnerships to improve labor market outcomes and reduce recidivism.
Pacific Gateway administers the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other employment and training funds received annually by the City of Long Beach (City). These funds support job training programs and business services delivered by the WorkPlace, Future LB, Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center, and selected community-based organizations, to assist residents in acquiring skills leading to employment in high-demand occupations with local employers.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica Kilaita on July 28, 2023 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on August 2, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 22, 2023, to facilitate the processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Pacific Gateway anticipates receiving grant reimbursement revenue in an amount not to exceed $294,227 for the period April 4, 2023 through December 31, 2025. There is no match or in-kind services required with this grant. An appropriation increase is requested in an amount of $294,227 in the Community Development Fund Group in the Economic Development Department, offset by grant revenue. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Approval of this recommendation will result in employment preparation, placement, training, supportive services, and retention services to justice involved residents.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
BO MARTINEZ
DIRECTOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER