TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents to amend the agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor, Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI), to extend the grant term to June 30, 2021; and, execute agreements and amendments, as needed, with various initiative partner providers, to increase contract authority by $357,000 and extend terms through June 30, 2021. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to execute an amendment to the agreement with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), to extend the grant term to June 30, 2021 and to execute agreements and amendments with various initiative providers.
On October 4, 2016, the City Council authorized the acceptance of grant funds made available under DOL Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI) in an amount of $4,000,000, and the execution of agreements with various initiative partner providers in a total amount of $665,000. The SWFI program was originally funded for four years, July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2020. In May 2020, the DOL extended the grant term to June 30, 2021, to continue providing training and educational support for individuals in healthcare, logistics, finance, and education. In addition, approval is requested to execute agreements and amendments with various providers, including $357,000 in new contract authority. The total net authority of the SWFI-funded portion of all contracts is $548,041.
Pacific Gateway initiated a collaboration with a consortium of business and education partners in response to a grant solicitation by DOL in support of demand industries. The grant is a multi-strategic effort to help 400 unemployed and underemployed parents to connect to quality employment in strong, local industry sectors with H-1B-impacted occupations. H-1B is a classification for temporary employment of foreign workers in the United States in specialty occupations. The SWFI program has introduced several system changes and has removed financial and bureaucratic barriers that prevent parents from thriving. To increase access to training, Pacific Gateway has developed a customer-centered design approach and has implemented additional strategies, which included training cohorts that offer onsite childcare; development of childcare plans for each participant; expansion of online modality; and new pathway training programs.
Delivery of the SWFI program is accomplished through the execution of occupational skills, on-the-job and/or customized training agreements with various training providers, as well as work experience agreements with Long Beach employers.
Amendments and agreements for service through the SWFI Program are requested as follows:
|
Entity |
Role & Responsibility |
Original Amount |
Revised Amount |
Contract Term |
New Contract Authority |
|
Cambrian Home Care dba Skills4Care* |
• Manage and screen qualified childcare providers • Coordinate and deliver onsite childcare services |
$ - |
$175,000 |
6/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 |
$175,000 |
|
Centro Community Hispanic Association |
• Provide recruitment and case management services |
$140,000 |
$138,541 |
7/1/2016 - 6/30/2021 |
Sufficient Authority |
|
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children's Hospital (Memorial Care) |
• Provide customized training and/or on-the-job training to program participants, including work experience hours |
$200,000 |
$32,000 |
7/1/2016 - 6/30/2021 |
Sufficient Authority |
|
Infotech Institute Inc. dba Healthcare Career College* |
• Provide CNA and HHA occupational skills and clinical training to program participants |
$ - |
$125,000 |
5/4/2018 -6/30/2021 |
$125,000 |
|
Long Beach Community College District |
• Provide occupational skills training to program participants through a classroom setting |
$200,000 |
$ - |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Carey and Associates |
• Serve as convener for partners • Provide various workforce development services for Pacific Gateway as Subject Matter Experts |
$75,000 |
$20,500 |
10/1/2016 - 9/30/2018 |
Sufficient Authority |
|
Long Beach Early Childhood Committee |
• Provide recruitment and outreach services • Manage and screen qualified childcare providers • Facilitate Supportive Services • Serve as Systems Change Agent |
$50,000 |
$ - |
N/A |
Sufficient Authority |
|
Public Consulting Group |
• Strategic Plan |
$ - |
$57,000 |
01/3/2018 - 08/31/2018 |
$57,000 |
|
Total |
|
$665,000 |
$548,041 |
|
$357,000 |
* Amounts indicate SWFI funded portion or existing contracts only. Total contract values may differ.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on April 19, 2021 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on April 26, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 11, 2021, to facilitate the processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
The requested action authorizes an extension of the term of the SWFI grant through June 30, 2021. Additionally, the requested action authorizes agreements and/or amendments to existing agreements with various initiative partner providers, including $357,000 in new contract authority and extending terms through June 30, 2021, as needed, to ensure the continued delivery of program. The total cost of the provider agreements is $548,041, offset by reimbursement grant funds. Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund Group in the Economic Development Department. 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 support training, skills enhancement, increased childcare access, and employment opportunities for residents.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN KEISLER
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER