TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into a contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments to extend the grant period or increase the grant amounts, with Ascend at the Aspen Institute, to accept and expend grant funds in an amount up to $150,000, to support low-income single mothers that are in school or training, for the period of March 15, 2021, through September 15, 2022; and
Increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund Group in the Economic Development Department by $150,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into contract with Ascend at the Aspen Institute, a philanthropic nonprofit, as a strategic partner and field innovator through the Aspen Policy Acceleration Grant. This program aims to accomplish visionary and ambitious goals such as establishing a fund and/or individual escrow accounts that provide guaranteed income to single mothers who are in school or training; expanding subsidized in-home childcare options; and, addressing social service, workforce, and education policy and program barriers, such as educational and vocational training opportunities. This grant will assist Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network (Pacific Gateway) to expand on existing policies that are in place to support parents in postsecondary education and training.
This shared partnership with the Economic Development Department, Health and Human Services Department, and Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee will promote post-secondary completion for parents by increasing access to supportive resources and public benefits. This innovative program helps the City to address a number of goals and priorities established in the City’s Framework for Racial Equity and Reconciliation adopted by the City Council. The goal of this program is to assist single mothers to credentials and careers that provide living w...
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