To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Contract Amendments for Regional Organizer and Training Coordinator
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and authorize the Board Chair, to sign contract amendments with Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation (Attachment 1 - 4) to perform WIOA workforce activities in compliance with the terms and conditions as set forth by the California State Employment Development Department;
2. Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign contract amendments with Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation (Attachment 5) to perform the duties as Regional Organizer and Regional Training Coordinator under the Local Workforce Development Board; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return amendments, signed by the Chair of the Board, to the County Administrative Office - Economic Development Division.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Economic Development (1120)
DISCUSSION:
The County Administrative Office-Economic Development Division (Economic Development) receives annual non-competitive grants from the US Department of Labor allocated through the State of California Employment Development Department. These funds provide low-income adults, at-risk youth, and dislocated workers the opportunity to participate in training and/or educational programs to obtain employment. Funds are also used to cover costs associated with the development and implementation of local and regional plans, and to provide training for local workforce partners. Additionally, Economic Development receives a portion of both competitive and non-competitive grants to support administrative overhead.
In July 2014, the US Congress passed, and the President signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), as an amendment to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The WIOA required the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board (HC-WDB), with the agreement of the chief elected officials, to designate or certify American Job Centers of California (AJCC) operators through a competitive process. On Jan. 19, 2016, a three-agency consortium was approved by your Board that included College of the Redwoods (CR), Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA), and Department of Health and Human Services, Employment and Training Division (DHHS-ETD). As of June 30, 2018, DHHS-ETD discontinued its role as an operator of the AJCC. As a result, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was released to procure an AJCC operator to replace DHHS-ETD. A proposal was received from SMART Business Resource Center who was approved as the third AJCC operator by your Board on July 24, 2018.
On March 5, 2021, SMART Business Resource Center informed the County Administrative Office of their intent to terminate all contracts with the county effective June 30, 2021. On April 6, 2021, your Board directed county staff to explore several options to improve workforce efforts in Humboldt and authorize the release of an RFP for workforce services related to WIOA-funded programs. Due to the failure of the RFP, on June 29, 2021, your Board chose to move forward with the option to remain a Local Workforce Area and your Board directed Economic Development staff to sole source for these services with Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation. On Oct 26, 2021 your Board approved the five contracts associated contracts, with terms ending June 30, 2022. Today your Board is being presented with amendments to those contracts to extend the contract term through June 30, 2023 and to update the funds available.
The five contract amendments attached to this staff report are a result of your Board’s direction to remain a Local Workforce Area and regional planning unit. These agreements will provide the county with the following WIOA funded services:
• Youth Services
• Adult Services
• Dislocated Worker services
• Rapid Response - Layoff Aversion services
The fifth agreement is grant funded by the California Workforce Development Board which provides the position of WIOA Regional Organizer and Regional Training Coordinator.
These contract amendments were presented to the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board (WDB) during its June 2022 meeting. At that meeting the WDB advised that staff advance these contract amendments to your Board. As such, staff recommends that your Board approve said contract amendments. This will allow WIOA services to continue until staff releases an RFP in FY 2022-23 accord with County requirements and WIOA directives for workforce contracted services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Amendment increases are 80% of our 2022 WIOA allocations, per Workforce Services Directive 15-08 obligations requirements. These increases by program respectively are:
• Youth increased by $245,952 for a total of $526,664
• Adult increased by $209,093 for a total of $452,030
• Dislocated Worker increased by $197,464 for a total of $371,319
• Rapid Response- Layoff Aversion increased by $88,973 for a total of $211,358
Regional Organizer funding is through a competitive grant and is being increased due to termination of another contract with a different sub-contractor.
• Regional Organizer increased by $96,063 for a total of $295,511
These increases are reflective of WIOA funding awards through the State and will not result in an impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by supporting business, workforce development and creation of private-sector jobs .
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Humboldt Workforce Coalition comprising of the: County of Humboldt Economic Development Division, Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation, College of the Redwoods, Humboldt County Office of Education.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve these contract amendments. This alternative is not recommended as these amendments are for formula and competitive WIOA funds granted to Humboldt County by the State. Approving these contracts aligns with the Local Workforce Development Area plan already approved by your Board. Declining these contracts and funds would make these essential workforce services unavailable to county residents.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Professional Services Agreement with HSU SPF for WIOA Youth Services Amendment 1
2) Professional Services Agreement with HSU SPF for WIOA Adult Services Amendment 1
3) Professional Services Agreement with HSU SPF for WIOA Dislocated Worker Services Amendment 1
4) Professional Services Agreement with HSU SPF for WIOA Rapid Response-Layoff Aversion Services Amendment 1
5) Professional Services Agreement with HSU SPF for WIOA Regional Organizer and Training Coordinator Services Amendment 1
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: I:2; L:2; D:7
Meeting of: April 6, 2021; June 29, 2021; Oct. 26, 2021
File No.: 21-362; 21-866; 21-1396