HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-12-2017 - 8-f - Food and Nutrition Employment and Training and WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Grants 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 12, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-f
SUBJECT: Food and Nutrition Employment and Training and WIOA Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act Grants
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy Coston, 919-245-2800
Annette Moore, 919-245-2137
PURPOSE: To ratify the County Manager's execution of the continuation of Food and Nutrition
Employment & Training grant funds contract for the period of October 1, 2017 through
September 30, 2018 and approve the FY 2017-18 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
("WIOA") contract.
BACKGROUND: In 2013, the Social Services Department piloted a Food & Nutrition
Employment and Training (FNS E&T) Program for low income individuals. The purpose of the
FNS E&T program is to provide employment services, education, training, work experience, and
retention services for 90 days to recipients of FNS benefits who volunteer for the program.
The goal is that this employment and training assistance will result in employment at a livable
wage which will lead participants to self-sufficiency. Staff anticipates assisting an estimated 300
unduplicated participants in 2017-2018.
In prior years, funding was received from the state via an allocation increase. However, this
year due to an oversight, this contract was inadvertently not placed on the BOCC's agenda in
time to secure continuation efforts. Since this program has been discussed several times
during work sessions and the required match dollars were already approved in this year's
budget, and in order to maintain the grant funding, the county manager signed the continuation
contract with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services.
In June 2017, DSS was awarded the WIOA grant after a competitive process and the
Commissioners approved the funds during the process. This grant provides employment and
training opportunities for adults and dislocated workers. It also provides staff to provide
administrative oversight of the Skills Development/Career Center. This is Orange County first
award to serve this population.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The FNS E&T grant award of $399,908 provides significant support to
assist both unemployed and underemployed individuals in Orange County. The match funds of
2
$399,908 were approved in this year's budget. Loss of these federal dollars would prohibit the
provision of job training, education, and employment assistance to approximately 300
individuals. The WIOA grant award is for $297,625.48 and there is no match required.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents
These services support the economic self-sufficiency goal by providing opportunities for low
income individuals to receive additional training and job placement services and to increase
their wages.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board ratify the County
Manager's execution of the Food and Nutrition Employment & Training Program contract for FY
2017-18 and approve the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act contracts and authorize the
County Manager to sign any amendments or renewals of both contracts after County Attorney
Office approval.