TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary, and any needed subsequent amendments, with the City of Inglewood on behalf of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, to accept grant funding in an amount up to $128,000 for Pacific Gateway to operate a subsidized employment program for families in the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) operates a Transitional Subsidized Employment Program (TSE Program) for families receiving public assistance through the statewide California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. CalWORKs provides cash aid, employment services, and other benefits to needy families. The TSE Program has been deployed to provide up to one year of work experience and training to CalWORKs adult residents with limited or no work history, the goal is to place them in unsubsidized jobs after training completion.
DPSS has contracted with the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (WIB), administered by the City of Inglewood, to serve as TSE Program coordinator and facilitator in Los Angeles County with the CalWORKs single allocation funds. To that end, the South Bay WIB has created the infrastructure for One-Stop Centers such as the Workplace and Harbor WorkSource Center to access a centralized temporary payroll and worksite development mechanism to place local resident trainees.
City Council approval is requested to receive grant funding in an amount up to $128,000, from the South Bay WIB for Pacific Gateway staff (Staff), to work with existing families in the CalWORKs program with priority given to Los Angeles County referrals of local residents whose 60-month time limit on public assistance is nearing an end. Staff will provide those trainees with an assessment and review of skills development to-date, create an updated training and development plan, develop worksites and place residents into subsidized work experience, and assist with post-training job placement.
The South Bay WIB will directly pay the costs of the subsidized payroll expenses, benefits, and worker compensation policies, and will reimburse Pacific Gateway for its staffing costs associated with assessment, case management, monitoring, job development, and placement.
Reimbursement has been negotiated through a fee-for-service formula, of which 75 percent will be paid to Pacific Gateway at placement of the resident into training, with the remaining 25 percent performance benchmark earned if the participant achieves a minimum of 30 days in unsubsidized employment after training. Based on initial planning service levels of 80 trainees, Pacific Gateway anticipates receiving approximately $96,000 in grant revenue that will offset staffing and other related costs of the Program. Depending on the final employment levels of the cohort, Pacific Gateway could potentially receive an additional $32,000 in earned payments that could be used for other services to customers.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on March 6, 2019 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on March 14, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 2, 2019, to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Pacific Gateway will be receiving up to $128,000 in reimbursement grant funding from the City of Inglewood on behalf of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board to operate the CalWORKs program. Sufficient grant funding is currently appropriated in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Economic Development Department (ED), and no matching funds are required. This recommendation has minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Approval of this recommendation will result in job training, skills enhancement, and employment opportunities for 80 residents.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN KEISLER
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER