Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign a no cost Memorandum of Understanding with Salinas Union High School District to provide High School Equivalency exam preparation classes to CalWORKs customers referred by the Monterey County Department of Social Services CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES), for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement that do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign a no cost Memorandum of Understanding with Salinas Union High School District to provide High School Equivalency exam preparation classes to CalWORKs customers referred by the Monterey County Department of Social Services CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES), for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement that do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
High School Equivalency (HSE) is a Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activity authorized under Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 11322.6(k) and Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) 42-716.1(o). Education Directly Related to Employment (EDTRE), 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.
CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) is seeking to continue to provide HSE exam preparation classes at the One-Stop Community Centers to CWES individuals and to community members at large with a preference given to CWES customers. The HSE program fills the identified services gap for the low-income population, as indicated in the Community Action Plan. This service gap was created by a loss of State funding to the Salinas Adult School for HSE classes that prioritized CalWORKs families.
HSE classes are offered at the Salinas One-Stop Community Centers Monday through Thursday. Customers can receive group and individual instruction either in person or virtually to prepare them to pass their HSE exams successfully. The HSE instructor shall be in regular communication with the assigned CWES Case Manager (CCM) regarding the customer’s performance, attendance, and test readiness.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to form.
FINANCING:
This is a non-financial agreement for the purpose of sharing confidential information and provision of services in exchange for classroom space. The recommended actions have no budgetary impact.
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.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
X Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Phillip McCoun, Management Analyst II x3372
Approved by: Roderick Franks, Director, x4430
Attachments: Agreement
The proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.