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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF $4.3 MILLION CALIFORNIANSFORALL YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to apply for, accept, and appropriate grant funds for the CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program in the amount of $4,355,097 and execute all related documents; and
2. Authorize the allocation of a full-time grant funded position for the duration of the grant term.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take any appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
The CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program is a new program administered by California Volunteers, made possible by federal coronavirus stimulus funding. California Volunteers approached the City of Stockton to apply and is requesting an application for acceptance of the allocated funding for the City. The funds will be used to create a Stockton Youth Workforce Development Program which will be primarily implemented by subgrantees, resulting in increased youth employment in key areas of public service, climate, food insecurity, and COVID-19 relief. Staff are seeking City Council’s authorization to accept the grant funding in the amount of $4,355,097 for the CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program.
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Volunteers’ CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program is a Governor’s initiative that is partnering with California cities to bolster youth workforce engagement and interest in critical career pathways. California Volunteers’ mission is to promote service and volunteerism to tackle state and local issues. The main objectives of the program are to “increase youth employment, develop career pathways, and strengthen city/community capacity to address key areas of food insecurity, climate, and COVID-19 recovery.” To achieve these goals, the CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program is appropriating its $150 million budget to the 13 largest cities in California proportionately based on population. The City of Stockton, as the 13th largest city in California, is being issued $4,355,097 to create, develop, and facilitate a robust workforce program to address the focus areas of climate, food insecurity, and local COVID-19 recovery.
The CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development program funding is to be used to recruit, train, and place qualifying high-need youth participants into programs in the provided focus areas. The program requires that participants be between the ages of 16-30 and come from vulnerable populations who have difficulty finding employment such as low-income youth, foster care youth, and youth who have had interactions with the justice system. Additionally, funding can be used to create, develop, and manage a new program that is City-led or expand a program through partnerships with existing Community Based Organizations (CBOs). The grant allows the City and/or the selected CBOs to also provide wraparound services such as job readiness training, transportation, childcare, and case management. There is no matching requirement for this grant, and all costs related to the implementation of workforce programs, wraparound services, and associated indirect costs will be fully covered by grant funding. All funds must be encumbered by June 30, 2024 and expended by October 30, 2026.
Present Situation
City staff have completed an application for the CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program for Council review (Attachment A). The City of Stockton does not administer traditional workforce development programs via internal departments and/or City staff. As such, the City will identify trusted local community organizations with proven track records to carry out the bulk of this work. The City will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will ask respondents to offer programs that fall within the focus area(s) and are aligned with the City’s priorities. Through this process the City endeavors to find the most qualified organizations that are in a position to accept this significant one-time investment and produce substantial results within the short timeframe allotted for funding.
Upon award of grant funds, the City will hire one full-time, limited term employee (FTE) to oversee the implementation of the Stockton Youth Workforce Development Program. All costs associated with this position, approximately $150,000 per year, will be fully covered by grant funding and will have no impact on the General Fund. The position will be eliminated upon completion of grant-funded programs and activities, estimated to be October 31, 2026. This position will manage and oversee the program, including all invoicing and administrative requirements as outlined by California Volunteers. They will work closely with subgrantees to support their programs, including boosting outreach efforts and coordinating these efforts within the larger workforce ecosystem. This position will also provide programming for all participants that will include presentations from local business and government leaders with the aim of inspiring and encouraging local youth to pursue careers in strategically critical fields. This program will also promote educational opportunities from local institutions, such as San Joaquin Delta College and University of the Pacific.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The City and its subcontractors will pay for project related expenses in full and then submit documentation for reimbursement through this grant. There will be no impact to the General Fund, all related costs will be supported by the grant funding. No matching funds are required for this grant.
Upon confirmation of award, the following revenue and expenditures appropriations are authorized to implement the CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program grant:
Revenue - CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program
1210-000-430X01-280-281-10-12-000-000 Grant Revenue $4,355,097
Expenditures - CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program
1210-000-670007-280-281-10-12-000-000 Grant Expenses $4,355,097
Attachment A - CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program Application