STAFF REPORT
CITY OF BURBANK
BURBANK
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
DATE: November 1, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Elizabeth Goldman, Library Services Director Digith hold SUBJECT: Acceptance of a $250,000 Grant from the United States Small Business Administration for the "Enhanced Workforce Training for Economic Recovery" Project and Amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget
RECOMMENDATION
Accept a grant of $250,000 from the United States Small Business Administration for the "Enhanced Workforce Training for Economic Recovery" project and authorize the Library Services Director or her designee to take all actions necessary to receive such funds, and amend the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget as specified to receive and appropriate these grant funds.
BACKGROUND
For many years, the City of Burbank has served as a satellite office of the Verdugo Jobs Center, offering employment services to local job seekers and employers. This service, Job Connect, has been based out of Burbank Public Library (Library) since 2021.
In 2021, the City submitted proposals for Community Project Funding from the United States Senate and House of Representatives. One project selected and funded by California Senator Dianne Feinstein is the Library's "Enhanced Workforce Training for Economic Recovery." The $250,000 award was approved as part of HR2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, and is being managed by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).
DISCUSSION
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions to an already unsettled job market.
Many jobs were temporarily or permanently eliminated, automated, or otherwise changed in ways that required job seekers to pursue new paths or retrain.
As a satellite office of the Verdugo Jobs Center and an America's Jobs Center of California location, Job Connect offers public computer access to job listings as its primary function. Staff from the Library provide assistance with registering with the primary listings site, CalJOBS, and connection with training programs. However, gaining and maintaining employment is not always as simple as finding job listings and submitting applications.
The enhanced training program funded by the SBA grant will provide focused assistance for job seekers on multiple fronts:
• A cohort of job seekers identified through application or referral by community partners will receive assistance over a period of several months. Participants will set personal goals, whether it is obtaining a certification, a job, a promotion, or something else career-related.
• Navigators will provide coaching, guidance, and support along the path to achieving these goals, which could range from digital literacy tutoring to interview practice.
• As needed, participants will be issued laptop computers and hotspots for the duration of their participation, allowing them to take online courses, search for jobs, participate in interviews, and otherwise remain connected as they work toward their goals.
• The program will take advantage of existing Library online learning resources, such as Linkedin Learning and Coursera, to ensure quality training. These will be supplemented by live, small group skill-building courses taught by instructors.
The program will launch in 2023 and continue through mid-2025, supporting 3-5 cohorts during that time and reaching at least 50 individuals. Grant dollars will go toward paid contracts with a project manager, navigators, and instructors, as well as technology, supplies, and training for project staff.
Staff will provide regular reporting as required by the SBA.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff is requesting City Council authority to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Adopted Budget by accepting a grant from the Small Business Administration in the amount of $250,000, and appropriating $250,000 from revenue account no. 2 001.LB000.48010.1999.00000 (General Fund, Library Services, Other Intergovernmental Revenues, Miscellaneous) to expenditure account no. 001.LB01A.62170.0000.24641 (General Fund, Library Administration and Technical Services, Private Contractual Services, Small Business Administration Grant).
CONCLUSION
The SBA grant will allow Burbank Public Library to provide meaningful and high-impact workforce training for at least 50 Burbank job seekers by offering enhanced workforce training and access to technology. Staff recommends that the City Council accept a grant awarded to the City of Burbank in the amount of $250,000 from the SBA and amend the FY 2022-23 budget to appropriate $250,000 in designated funds.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
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