TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents with the State of California to accept Workforce Investment Act grants totaling $5,882,463, and to execute any subsequent amendments that change the terms or funding. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Following federal appropriations of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds to the State, the Governor's Labor and Workforce Development Agency has notified the City of its local share of funds to administer the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network for the Program Year beginning July 1, 2008. The WIA grants are provided to deliver workforce development services in the local workforce area consisting of Lomita, Long Beach, Signal Hill, and Torrance, and will enable the Workforce Investment Network to provide an extensive array of services to residents and businesses.
The grants provide a 6% increase in baseline funding from the current year, driven by the number of worker dislocations and rising unemployment in Southern California.
That nominal increase is largely offset by a federal rescission suggested by the U.S.
Department of Labor and enacted this past month, which reduced available current year funding by $244,219, or 4%. The funds attributed to disadvantaged adults, youth and business downsizing remain flat-funded. The allocation breakdown for 2008-2009 services:
· Adults $1,976,533
· Dislocated Workers $1,522,066
· Business Downsizing and Layoff Aversion $ 315,631
· Youth $2.068.233
TOTAL GRANTS: $5,882,463
Employment services for residents will continue to be facilitated through the Career Transition Center, Center for Working Families, and a satellite presence at the new Torrance Career Center. Youth services will be facilitated through the Youth Opportunity Center, and through several community-based organization service providers. Business services are integrated through all four career centers.
In tandem with these grants, the Workforce Investment Network was one of twelve local workforce investment boards selected to serve as a "Learning Lab" effective July 1, 2008. This pilot project will enable the Workforce Investment Network to deploy and test new strategies built around increasing service efficiencies and resource leveraging, providing more intensive services to a larger number of residents, and augmenting skill development activities among residents accessing the Network's Career Centers.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on May 16, 2008 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 30, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 17, 2008 in order 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). There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DENNIS J. THYS
DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
|
APPROVED: |
|
|
|
|
|
PATRICK H. WEST |
|
CITY MANAGER |