Title
a. Authorize the Executive Director of the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB) to sign a retroactive Prison to Employment (P2E) 2.0 Agreement with Arbor E&T, LLC, effective March 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, to provide training, employment, and support to Monterey County’s justice-involved and formerly incarcerated individuals, in the total amount of $95,026; and
b. Authorize the Executive Director to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($9,502) of the Agreement, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $104,528.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Executive Director of the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB) to sign a retroactive Prison to Employment (P2E) 2.0 Agreement with Arbor E&T, LLC, effective March 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, to provide training, employment, and support to Monterey County’s justice-involved and formerly incarcerated individuals, in the total amount of $95,026; and
b. Authorize the Executive Director to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($9,502) of the Agreement, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $104,528.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 mandated the identification of planning and service delivery regions comprised of local workforce development areas, and in 2020, the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) designated the local workforce development boards of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties as the “North Coast Regional Planning Unit,” one of the 15 regional planning units within California. WIOA requires that regional planning units develop a regional plan, regional service delivery strategies, and regional administrative cost arrangements among its local areas.
In general, the MCWDB is the CWDB-designated regional lead and fiscal agent to administer State-funded, discretionary regional grants and was the lead and fiscal agent for the original P2E grant approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 11, 2020 as part of a larger Regional Agreement. However, for P2E 2.0, the San Benito County Workforce Development Board (SBCWDB) opted to be the lead on this grant, and as lead and fiscal agent, the SBCWDB will reimburse the MCWDB in an amount not to exceed $102,730 for specific expenditures relating to P2E 2.0 grant implementation, including $7,704 for administrative services to oversee and monitor the program, leaving $95,026 to provide direct services to P2E 2.0 participants.
The Agreement anticipates that 11 individuals will be enrolled to achieve the following outcomes:
The Project Budget Summary in the P2E 2.0 Agreement allocates $81,000 for on-the-job training, transitional jobs, and occupational training in sectors such as manufacturing and transportation, to serve nine participants, with $9,526 set aside for case management to be provided by the MCWDB’s contracted adult and youth service provider, Arbor E&T, LLC, dba Equus Workforce Solutions, to coordinate services and support. A total of $4,500 for supportive services will be provided for six to nine clients, at a maximum of $500 each, to cover mileage, work boots and other materials, equipment, and supplies needed during training.
The MCWDB approved the Executive Director to sign the Agreement at its meeting on February 22, 2024.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVMENT:
Parties to the P2E 2.0 Agreement were involved in its development. County Counsel has approved the Agreement.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund from the MCWDB receiving State of California P2E 2.0 discretionary funding from the SBCWDB.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Approval of the P2E 2.0 Agreement with Arbor E&T, LLC, will provide personal development, training, and placement opportunities for Monterey County’s justice-involved and recently incarcerated individuals.
√ Economic Development - Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
√ Administration - Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
√ Health and Human Services - Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
Prepared by: Elizabeth Kaylor, Management Analyst III, x5385
Recommended by: Christopher Donnelly, Executive Director, x6644
Attachment:
2024 Equus P2E 2.0 Agreement