|
DATE: |
December 10, 2024 |
17 |
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT PROCUREMENT WITH SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP FOR CALIFORNIA WORK OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO KIDS EXPANDED SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT, AND CALFRESH EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Self-Sufficiency Services provides a variety of programs and services to assist adults living on lower incomes with becoming self-sufficient. On June 4, 2019 (11), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a single source contract procurement with San Diego Workforce Partnership for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Expanded Subsidized Employment program, and the CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) program. This Board action followed previous approval of a single source contract procurement with San Diego Workforce Partnership on February 25, 2014 (8), for the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program.
Both the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program and the E&T program provide self-sufficiency opportunities for some vulnerable families in San Diego County. The CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program serves over 1,300 participants annually and the E&T program serves over 1,100 participants annually each with a focus on job training and identifying and securing employment opportunities.
These services are currently contracted with the San Diego Workforce Partnership, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation which is the only federally designated Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) in the county region. The San Diego Workforce Partnership is overseen by the Policy Board of the San Diego Consortium, a Joint Powers Authority created by the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego. As the designated LWDB, San Diego Workforce Partnership has the unique expertise, skill, partnerships, and employer relationships to carry out the goals of the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment and CalFresh E&T programs. The current contract will expire on June 30, 2025, with an option to extend up to an additional six months. Contracting with the federal LWDB for employment services will also allow the County to leverage funding and maximize resources. Approval of today's recommended action authorizes a single source procurement for San Diego Workforce Partnership to continue providing employment services through the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program and CalFresh E&T program.
Today’s action supports the County vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind, as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. Approval of this single source contract will benefit the county by continuing to further the goal of self-sufficiency through employment.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with San Diego Workforce Partnership and subject to successful negotiations and a determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Expanded Subsidized Employment and CalFresh Employment and Training programs for up to one year and five option years and an additional six months if needed, and to amend the contract as needed to reflect changes to requirements and funding, subject to the approval of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Expanded Subsidized Employment program, and the CalFresh Employment and Training program contribute to making a positive impact on equity, by reducing barriers to employment for traditionally underserved communities, including communities of color and families living on lower incomes. More than 2,400 people benefit from these programs each year. The employment skills, training, and job placements gained through these programs can advance opportunities for economic growth and lead residents to self-sufficiency.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s proposed action to procure a contract for employment services programs supports the County of San Diego’s (County) Sustainability Goal #2, to provide just and equitable access to County services. Obtaining self-sufficiency through proper job training and placement helps advance the economic opportunities for residents throughout the county by aligning the County’s available resources with essential services that promote fiscal stability and longevity.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-26 Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, this request will result in no cost and revenue in FY 2024-25 and costs and revenue of approximately $5,300,000 in FY 2025-26. The funding sources are federal and State California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Expanded Subsidized Employment revenue and CalFresh Employment & Training revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
This item was presented and approved by the Social Services Advisory Board at its regular meeting on November 13, 2024.
BACKGROUND
On June 4, 2019 (11), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a single source contract procurement with San Diego Workforce Partnership for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Expanded Subsidized Employment program, and the CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) program. This Board action followed previous approval of a single source contract procurement with San Diego Workforce Partnership on February 25, 2014 (8), for the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program. San Diego Workforce Partnership is San Diego County's federally designated Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB). San Diego Workforce Partnership is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation overseen by the San Diego Consortium, a Joint Powers Authority formed by the County of San Diego (County) and the City of San Diego (City).
Under the California Workforce Development Board's State Plan, the primary purpose of the LWDBs is to facilitate access to workforce services and community partnerships at the local level. These services include employment opportunities and job training programs to meet the current and future needs of employers. All LWDBs are governed under the legislation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which was signed into law on July 22, 2014. The WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market. Under WIOA, the California Workforce Development Board is responsible for the oversight and continuous improvement of the workforce system in California. The statewide workforce development system is comprised of 49 Local Areas, each with its own LWDB.
San Diego Workforce Partnership is also the State of California's LWDB for the Southern Border Region. As the LWDB, San Diego Workforce Partnership receives federal WIOA funding, along with State and local funding and is required to provide and facilitate workforce services and community partnerships within the county. San Diego Workforce Partnership has a network of career centers and community partners to assist with employment opportunities. Contracting with the LWDB for employment services is not only promoted through WIOA but will allow the County to leverage other funding sources and maximize resources.
Justification for Single Source Procurement
Uniquely positioned as the only federally designated LWDB for San Diego County, the Southern Border region, and the state of California, San Diego Workforce Partnership provides programs no other organization in the county can provide.
Board Policy A-87, Section 1D-3
San Diego Workforce Partnership qualifies for a single source contract to provide the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Expanded Subsidized Employment and the CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) programs based on the following: The procurement is for services from a provider with unique knowledge, skill, or ability not available from other sources. As the only federally designated LWDB for San Diego County, the Southern Border region, and the state of California, no other organization in the county can provide these programs.
Employment Services Programs
The CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program and the CalFresh Employment and Training E&T program are a part of Early Engagement strategies being implemented as a result of the passage of Assembly Bill 74 and the Agricultural Act of 2014.
The CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program is an early engagement strategy to support self-sufficiency. CalWORKs participants that are required to participate in Welfare to Work activities are eligible for the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program. Funding for this program can be applied to support wage and non-wage costs for job placements, operational costs, development of worksites, and training. The County serves over 1,300 participants annually through the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment program.
The CalFresh E&T program is a federal program administered by the County with goals focused on employment and earning capacity of CalFresh recipients. Recipients who voluntarily participate are referred to the E&T program. The E&T program assists CalFresh recipients in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
Furthermore, recipients can be placed in Supervised Job Search and/or Job Club activities. The Supervised Job Search activity consists of placing written employment applications under general oversight with employers who have job openings. Job Club consists of in-person workshops on resume building, mock interviews, work ethic, problem solving, communication skills, as well as attending job fairs and hiring events. Underemployment and unemployment have led many CalFresh recipients to food insecurity, highlighting the need for ancillary programs, such as the E&T program, which can increase recipients’ access to better jobs and wages.
The current contract will expire on June 30, 2025, with an option to extend up to an additional six months. Today’s action requests the Board authorize a single source contract to be awarded to San Diego Workforce Partnership for the CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment and CalFresh E&T program to support participants in achieving self-sufficiency for an initial term of one year with up to five option years and an additional six months, if needed at an annual amount of approximately $5,300,000.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today's actions support the Community (Quality of Life) and Equity (Economic Opportunity) initiatives in the County of San Diego 2024-2029 Strategic Plan as well as the County of San Diego regional Live Well San Diego vision by supporting services for adults living on lower incomes and promoting self-sufficiency throughout San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
N/A