Title
a. Approve the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I Youth subcontract with Turning Point of Central California by entering into a new Standard Agreement for a total contract allocation of $110,000 for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015; and
b. Authorize the Economic Development Department Director or designee, to execute the contract, including amendments thereto, contingent upon approval by County Counsel, which do not affect the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and which make minor modifications to the contract as necessary to comply with WIA requirements.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I Youth subcontract with Turning Point of Central California by entering into a new Standard Agreement for a total contract allocation of $110,000 for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015; and
b. Authorize the Economic Development Department Director or designee, to execute the contract, including amendments thereto, contingent upon approval by County Counsel, which do not affect the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and which make minor modifications to the contract as necessary to comply with WIA requirements.
SUMMARY:
The Monterey County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) is charged with overseeing the allocation of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I funds on behalf of the local workforce investment system. The WIB recommended the issuance of a contract to one successful bidder for youth services that target specialized youth populations and geographic areas at their June 4, 2014 meeting. The successful bidder responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) that was issued on March 31, 2014. The total amount of funding available for contracted specialized services is $110,000. The contract also provides for an extension of up to two years beyond the initial one-year contract period depending upon acceptable contract performance, adherence to current WIA legislation and local policies, and the availability of WIA funds.
DISCUSSION:
Under the WIA, the Monterey County WIB is required to have a delivery system known as the America's Job Center of California (formerly One Stop Career Center), which currently exists in Salinas, Seaside and King City. The WIB is also allowed to seek additional youth partner agencies, through a competitive RFP procurement process, that have unique capacity, resources and expertise to provide WIA youth services to eligible target populations throughout Monterey County. Since 2001, the County has approved the development and issuance of RFPs for WIA Title I youth program services.
The Youth RFP was released to the public on March 31, 2014 with a closing date of April 29, 2014. Two youth proposals were received by the submission deadline. The County's Contracts and Purchasing Office reviewed all proposals for compliance and concluded that all passed the proposal format and specification requirements. The proposals were then distributed to an RFP Selection Committee for their reading and evaluation. On May 6, 2014, the RFP Selection Committee convened to interview bidders, score proposals, and conduct a thorough review of the proposals, budget and comparative costs, and performance. Bidder interviews were conducted to give the RFP Selection Committee an opportunity to ask follow up questions regarding each proposal.
The RFP sought responsive bids that addressed each of the nine (out of ten) required youth program elements outlined in the WIA regulations. (Contracts exclude summer youth employment.) The nine-elements include tutoring, alternative secondary school, work experience, occupational skills training, leadership development, supportive services, youth mentoring, comprehensive guidance, counseling, and follow-up.
Services will be targeted to WIA eligible, Monterey County youth who are both in school and out-of-school, are economically disadvantaged, are between 16-21 years of age, and meet at least one of six specific barriers to employment (deficient in basic literacy skills; school dropout; homeless, runaway or foster child; pregnant or parenting; an offender; or a youth that requires additional assistance to complete their education or secure employment, including a youth with a disability). Thirty percent (30%) of the contract funds must be expended on out-of-school youth.
Over the past decade, the WIB has worked with community partners to improve access to workforce services by establishing a system of diverse programs and regional collaborations, while successfully leveraging other local resources. As a result, the WIB's RFP and the recommended contract targets specific populations and geographic areas, and utilizes collaborative partners to support a comprehensive continuum of diverse public-private services in the workforce program delivery system.
For the purpose of the WIA Title I Youth funding, the RFP Selection Committee unanimously approved and recommended funding Turning Point of Central California (Turning Point) to receive up to $110,000 to provide WIA youth services to eligible youth ages 16-21, encompassing the nine youth program elements, and targeting youth populations throughout Monterey County. The number of new youth participants to be served is a minimum of 45.
Turning Point is a not-for-profit corporation primarily assisting troubled youth in the court system. In 2000, Turning Point consolidated with Friends Outside, a Monterey County organization. Turning Point's proposal focuses on serving at-risk youth who are on probation, in foster care, or homeless; many also have a disability, receive CalWORKs, or have dropped out of school. Turning Point's youth services leverages the resources of their program at Rancho Cielo. They have been a youth services contractor since 2003. The WIB recommends funding this contract with Turning Point in the amount of $110,000 to serve 45 youth.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Turning Point concurs with the WIB recommended approval of the proposed contract. County Counsel has reviewed the proposed contract with Turning Point and attachments.
FINANCING:
The WIA Title I Youth formula grant funds utilized will be for $110,000 and are budgeted in Fund 21, Appropriations Unit DEO 016, Unit 8396. There is no impact on the General Fund. Economic Development Department/WIB will reimburse funding to the subcontractor for all allowable WIA activities. The agreement with Turning Point will be structured to provide that they prepare and submit to the WIB monitoring documents and monthly claims that meet the WIA requirements. Although recapture is a risk with grant awards, given the experience of the partners involved in the program opportunity, risk is minimal and local WIA funds would be used if expenditures were denied due to non performance.
Prepared by:
__________________________
Joyce Aldrich, 759-6644
WIB Agency Executive Director
Approved by:
___________________________
David Spaur, 755-5387
Director of Economic Development
ATTACHMENTS:
WIA Title I Youth Subcontract for Turning Point of Central California
Exhibits "A-I"