Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Soledad Unified School District for $158,801 to provide High School Equivalency exam preparation classes to CalWORKs customers referred by the Monterey County Department of Social Services CalWORKs Employment Services, for the period of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($15,880) 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 $158,801 to provide High School Equivalency exam preparation classes to CalWORKs customers referred by the Monterey County Department of Social Services CalWORKs Employment Services, for the period of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($15,880) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
High School Equivalency (HSE), formerly known as General Education Development (GED), is an Education Directly Related to Employment (EDRTE) Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activity authorized under WIC Section 11322.6(k) and MPP 42-716.1(o). EDTRE, as defined in MPP 42-701.2(e)(1), is primarily for adult education leading to an HSE diploma where 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 California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Employment Services (CWES) at the One-Stop Career Centers in Salinas and King City. The HSE program will fill the identified services gap for the low-income population as indicated in the Community Action Plan 2011-2013. This service gap was created by the severe loss of State funding to the Salinas Adult School for HSE classes.
HSE classes shall be offered at the Salinas and King City One-Stop Career Centers for six (6) hours per day, in two (2) three-hour segments. Customers will receive group and individual instruction to prepare them to successfully pass their HSE exams. 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 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 to the County General Fund Contributions. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC005 are included in the FY 2017-18 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.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
X Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Joe Farotte, MAII x3372
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: FY2017-18 Soledad Unified School District Services Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with clerk of Board as an attachment to this Board Report