TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents and subsequent amendments with the State of California to receive $500,000 in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds for Pacific Gateway to implement a Workforce Navigator Pilot Program targeting English Language Learners and Immigrant Workers; execute agreements with various program partners in an amount totaling $280,000 for the period June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018; and
Increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) by $500,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway administers the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other employment and training funds received annually by the City. Those funds support job training programs and business services delivered by the Career Transition Center, Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center, and selected community-based organizations to assist local residents acquire skills leading to employment in high demand occupations with local employers.
In March of this year, Pacific Gateway submitted a grant request to the State of California seeking funds to deliver workforce services for English Language Learners (ELL) in Long Beach. The program, Long Beach Access, Systems, and Programs for Immigrants, or Long Beach ASPIre, is a collaborative, multi-strategic effort aimed at generating deep, meaningful change in our local workforce ecosystem, in multiple domains. The goal of the program is to re-envision the way ELLs thrive in the local education and workforce ecosystem, and implement systemic changes that make meaningful, sustained change. The project was developed collaboratively by the Workforce Development Board (Pacific Gateway), Long Beach Adult School, Long Beach City College Adult Education Programs, Centro Community Hispanic Association, United Cambodian Community, and the Long Beach Caree...
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