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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-20-2010 - 4gORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 20, 2010 Action Agen~ _ Item No. SUBJECT: Grant Application for Workforce Investment Act Youth Proposal DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Coston, 245-2802 Sharron Hinton, 245-2840 PURPOSE: To authorize the submittal of a grant application to operate the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I Youth Program in Orange County. BACKGROUND: The Regional Partnership Local Workforce Development Area oversees all WIA activities for Orange, Alamance and Randolph counties. Every three years, the Regional Partnership Local Workforce Development Area solicits proposals to implement ayear-round Youth Program for low-income youth ages 16-21. Beginning with FY 2010-2011, funds of approximately $200,000 are anticipated to operate an Orange County program annually for the next three years. Presently, Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action (JOCCA) receives WIA funding to operate both the Youth Program and Skills Development Center in Orange County. The target population for this program includes youth who have not completed their high school diploma or obtained a GED. Programs are designed to offer a unique opportunity to provide a mix of services designed to address the academic and vocational needs of at-risk youth. To be eligible for WIA-funded youth services, youth must be aged 16 through 21, low-income, and meet at least six specified barriers to employment. Targeted activities include tutoring, study skills training, dropout prevention activities, occupational skills training, Career Readiness Certificate, summer employment opportunities, paid and/or unpaid work experience, leadership development activities, supportive services, comprehensive counseling and guidance, academic enrichment activities (with an emphasis on career/vocational exploration), promoting strong work ethic, adult mentoring and follow-up services (for twelve months). Since the Department of Social Services (DSS) operates the Skills Development/Joblink Center and maintains collaborative partnerships with numerous agencies, staff are interested in pursuing the WIA youth program funds. All program operations will be provided through the receipt of grant funds. The grant application does not require any local match dollars. Potential program partners may include, but not be limited to: • Orange County Skills Development/Joblink Center (operated by DSS) • Employment Security Commission • Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (administered by DSS) • Orange County Schools • Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools • Adolescent Parenting Program (administered by DSS) • Work First (administered by DSS) • LINKS Program (foster children program administered by DSS) • Dept. of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention • Criminal Justice Partnership Program (administered by DSS) • Orange County Cooperative Extension (4-H Youth Leadership Program) • Orange County Recreation & Parks • Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation • Carrboro Parks & Recreation • Triangle SportsPlex • Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce • Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce • Volunteers for Youth • Communities in Schools (CIS) • Dispute Settlement Center 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: Beginning with FY 2010-2011, funds of approximately $200,000 are anticipated to operate an Orange County program annually for the next three years. WIA Youth Program activities are contingent upon the grant award and receipt of funds from the application. The tentative plan is to incorporate many responsibilities with existing staff and contract for additional support to implement the grant activities. The grant does not cover indirect costs. If County staff were hired, the indirect cost per person would be $14,680 annually for the duration of the grant. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the following: 1. Authorize the Manager to sign the grant application and staff to submit the application; 2. If the County is awarded the grant, authorize staff to negotiate an Agreement with the Regional Partnership Local Workforce Development Area, subject to review by the County Attorney, and authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement; and 3. If the County is awarded the grant, authorize staff to receive the WIA grant funds and implement an appropriate budget amendment to reflect receipt of the funds.