To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
title
Accept the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Funding Through the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board for Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-25 and 2025-26 and Supplemental Budget for Economic Development 1120-287 in the Amount of $250,000 (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached supplemental budget for Economic Development in budget 1120287 in the amount of $250,000 for FY 2024-25 (4/5 Vote Required); and
2. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer, or designee, to accept the grant terms and conditions as required to receive funds from the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation through the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board; and
3. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer, or designee, to execute any ancillary documentation, partner agreements and modifications as related to this agreement, subject to prior review and approval from County Counsel and Risk Management.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3001 - Support a well-trained workforce
DISCUSSION:
On July 1, 2024, the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) submitted an application for the James Irvine Public Workforce Capacity Fund. The fund, administered in partnership with the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation, focuses on advancing racial equity and improving economic outcomes for low-income workers and their families.
The application submitted by the HCWDB proposed using the funds to address racial inequities and improve access to employment opportunities for underrepresented groups, including Latinx, Native American, Hmong and Black communities.
Key objectives include:
- Expanding translation and interpretation services to eliminate language barriers.
- Strengthening partnerships with tribal entities to support the development of tribe-led workforce programs.
- Launching an equity analysis to identify and address systemic barriers within the workforce system.
- Utilizing a comprehensive reference and referral system, such as the Community Information Exchange, to offer holistic wrap-around services.
The grant proposal also seeks to build internal capacity through staff training in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and develop collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations. The goal is to empower marginalized populations by ensuring equitable access to high-quality jobs and promoting long-term economic stability in sectors such as offshore wind, broadband and healthcare.
On Sept. 13, 2024, the HCWDB was notified that it had been recommended for funding of $500,000, to be distributed in two allotments of $250,000 over two years. Following this, on Sept. 27, 2024, the HCWDB Executive Committee approved the funding and directed staff to present an agenda item to the Board of Supervisors for formal acceptance of the grant.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Economic Development (1120), Workforce Development Fund (1120-287).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1120287) |
FY24-25 |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
250,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
250,000 |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
250,000 |
250,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1120287) |
FY24-25 |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Grant Funds |
250,000 |
250,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The attached supplemental budget will increase the Economic Development, Workforce Development budget, 1120-287, by $250,000 for FY 2024-25 and $250,000 will be included in the FY 2025-26 proposed budget, for funds awarded to the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board through the James Irvine Foundation in partnership with the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation’s Public Workforce Capacity Fund.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
This agenda item will not increase staffing levels but will increase staff workload.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve this agenda item. However, this alternative is not recommended as the activities conducted under these funds support the local and regional plan set forth by the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board. Furthermore, these funds bring much needed translation updates to services for members of the community facing barriers to employment.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Supplemental Budget
2. Letter of Intent to Award
3. Grant Terms and Conditions
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A