Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Soledad Unified School District for $103,727 to provide High School Equivalency exam preparation classes to CalWORKs customers for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this Agreement where the total of the amendments do not exceed 10% ($10,372) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Soledad Unified School District for $103,727.00 to provide High School Equivalency exam preparation classes to CalWORKs customers for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this Agreement where the total of the amendments do not exceed 10% ($10,372) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
High School Equivalency (HSE) is a Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activity authorized under Welfare & Institutions Code Section 11322.6(k) and Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) 42-716.1(o). “Education Directly Related to Employment”, as defined in MPP 42-701.2(e)(1), is primarily for adult education leading to an HSE diploma when required as a prerequisite for employment.
The Monterey County Department of Social Services is seeking to continue to provide HSE exam preparation classes to individuals referred by CalWORKs and Employment Services (CWES) at the One-Stop Career Center in Salinas. The HSE program will fill an identified service gap for the low-income population created by the severe loss of State funding to the Salinas Adult School for HSE classes.
Customers will receive group and individual instruction either in person or virtually to prepare them to pass their HSE exams successfully. Possession of a High School Equivalency Diploma contributes to successful educational, career and life outcomes for CWES customers.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this Agreement. County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is funded by the CalWORKs Single Allocation. Approval of this action has no impact on the County General Fund Contributions. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC005 are included in the FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement correlates to the Economic Development and Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing access to High School Equivalency instruction and testing. This access leads to improved employment opportunities, which can result in improved overall quality of life for WTW customers.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Marleen Bush, MAII, x3342
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: Soledad Unified School Districted Services Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board report.