Title
a. Approve an Approve an application to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, for a Linking to Employment Activities Pre-release Specialized American Job Centers grant; and
b. Authorize the Director of Economic Development Department to sign and submit the application.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve an Approve an application to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, for a Linking to Employment Activities Pre-release Specialized American Job Centers grant; and
b. Authorize the Director of Economic Development Department to sign and submit the application
SUMMARY:
The Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, announced the availability of approximately $5 million in grant funds, authorized by Section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Section 212 of the Second Chance Act of 2007, for Linking to Employment Activities Pre-release Specialized American Job Centers (AJCs) grants.
The funding opportunity announcement provides the opportunity for Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs) to develop and operate specialized AJCs inside county jails and correctional facilities to provide a range of AJC services. These services are targeted at assisting soon-to-be-released local inmates to prepare for employment and increase opportunities for successful reentry into their home communities. This pilot project seeks to strengthen communities by better integrating services already available in the community. This program will build and strengthen partnerships between local correctional systems and local workforce systems by establishing specialized AJCs located within correctional facilities, and linking transitioning offenders to a range of community-based workforce services that lead to successful employment.
The Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) plans to award approximately 10 grants of up to $500,000 each to LWIBs. The grants will have a 24-month period of performance; future funding opportunities may take into account grantee performance on this grant. ETA is focused on sustainability and seeks to fund jail-based, specialized AJCs that will be sustained beyond the life of the initial grant.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this program is to provide locally incarcerated offenders with employability skills. They will be provided with workforce services before release and linked to a continuum of employment, training, education, and support services offered through their community-based AJCs post-release. They will also be assisted with building connections to local employers that will enable transitioning offenders to secure employment pre-release.
Thus, the jail-based specialized AJCs will enable transitioning offenders to prepare for employment, before release, and to continue with individual development and service plans in the community, after release. The goal of these centers is to improve the workforce outcomes for transitioning offenders.
Monterey County Workforce Investment Board (WIB), in partnership with Monterey County Sheriff's Department propose to submit an application to design and implement a Specialized American Job Center (AJC), located within the local jail system, to offer pre-employment services to inmates before release. The WIB will partner with the San Luis Obispo WIB and the Santa Barbara WIB to implement in AJCs in their jurisdictions, after the initial pilot project in Monterey is operational.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Monterey County Sheriff's Department is a collaborative partner to this application. This funding opportunity has been approved by County Counsel as to form.
FINANCING:
This funding opportunity has no effect on the general fund. Funding for this project is provided through the successful award of the Employment and Training Administration within the U.S. Department of Labor.
Prepared by: Approved by:
____________________________ ______________________________
Joyce Aldrich, Executive Director David Spaur, Director
Workforce Investment Board Economic Development Department
759.6644 755.5387
ATTACHMENTS:
Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Abstract
Notice of Availability of Funds (NOFA)
Budget Information
Letter of Commitment - Monterey County Sheriff's Department