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Agenda Report
May 4,2026
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TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager - Career Services Division SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE YOUTH SERVICE CORPS (YSC) GRANT AWARD OF $1,500,000 FROM CALIFORNIA
VOLUNTEERS AND TO ENTER INTO A SUBCONTRACT WITH
PASADENA CITY COLLEGE FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$250,000 TO PROVIDE RECRUITMENT SERVICES AND CAREER
COUNSELING
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Find that the proposed action is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065 and within the meaning of State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c) 15378(b);and
2) Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant award from the Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement/California Volunteers for the Youth Service Corps (YSC) Program in the amount of $1,500,000 for the term April 13, 2026, through December 31, 2027; and
3) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a subcontract with Pasadena City College (PCC) to provide recruitment, wrap-around services, and career counseling for the Youth Service Corps program in an amount not to exceed $250,000 over the grant term.
BACKGROUND:
In September 2025, the Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement/California Volunteers released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Youth Service Corps (YSC) Competitive Program 2026-27 Cohort. This program provides funding to California cities and counties—excluding the 13 largest cities—to I
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MEETING OF.5/4/2026AGENDA ITEM NO.4
Youth Service Corps Grant Authorization
May 4, 2026
support paid service opportunities for youth facing barriers to employment. The program aims to engage youth in meaningful service projects that address critical community needs while providing career-aligned work experience.
The City of Pasadena, through its Career Services Division, submitted an application for the YSC grant on December 19, 2025. The application proposed a partnership with Pasadena City College (PCC) to serve as a subcontractor providing targeted recruitment, career counseling, wrap-around services, and employer engagement. The program design aligns with the City's strategic goals related to workforce development, economic recovery, and equitable access to employment opportunities.
On March 17, 2026, the City was notified of the grant award in the amount of $1,500,000. The grant term is April 13, 2026, through December 31, 2027.
The program responds directly to community rebuilding and recovery needs following the Eaton Wildfires, which disrupted neighborhoods and strained local service systems.
The YSC program will engage youth in non-hazardous, supervised work roles connected to wildfire recovery, climate resilience, and infrastructure rebuilding, while also providing career pathways in public service and skilled trades.
The City's Career Services Division will administer the YSC program. Key program elements include:
Participant Enrollment: The program will serve 95 youth between the ages of 16 and 30, with at least 75 percent meeting two or more priority criteria (e.g., low-income, justice- involved, foster care transition, homelessness, or engagement with mental health/substance abuse systems).
Service Tracks: Part:icipants will serve in one of four focus areas:
Wildland Fire Recovery Support (30 participants)
Skilled Trades Community Rebuilding Support (30 participants) Municipal Services & Administration (14 participants)
Community & Youth Services (20 participants)
Work Experience: Participants will be paid $18.04 per hour, work up to 29 hours per week, and serve up to 450 hours over approximately 16 weeks. All placements will be with public agencies or nonprofit organizations.
Training and Credentials: Participants interested in construction or firefighting careers will be connected to PCC training programs, including the Construction Trades Readiness Program and the Wildland Fire Academy, where they can earn industry- recognized certifications.
Youth Service Corps Grant Authorization
May 4,2026
Support Services: Participants will receive individualized case management, wrap- around services (e.g., transportation assistance, work clothing), and job-readiness coaching.
PCC will serve as a subcontractor and receive $250,000 over the grant term to provide:
•Targeted recruitment of youth, particularly those interested in skilled trades, rebuilding, and environmental pathways
Career counseling, resume development, interview preparation, and job- readiness coaching
Employer engagement and post-placement follow-up support Coordination of training pathways and credential attainment The grant strengthens the local economy by providing up to 450 hours of paid work experience, equipping participants with marketable skills, industry-recognized credentials, and direct connections to employers. This creates a diverse, locally trained talent pipeline for high-demand sectors such as skilled trades, public service, and environmental management. By prioritizing youth who face barriers to employment— including those who are low-income, justice-involved, ortransitioning from foster care— the program ensures that economic opportunity reaches residents who have historically been underserved, broadening the base of skilled workers and reducing economic disparities.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The Youth Service Corps (YSC) grant advances the City Council Strategic Planning goals by engaging youth in paid service projects that address urgent community needs, including wildfire recovery, climate resilience, and infrastructure rebuilding following the Eaton Wildfires. These activities contribute directly to the safety, well-being, and long- term vitality of Pasadena's communities.
Through a strategic partnership with Pasadena City College, the program aligns workforce training with educational pathways and employer needs, creating sustainable career pathways that support individual economic mobility and the long-term competitiveness of the local economy. The YSC grant thereby directly advances the City Council's goals of investing in youth, strengthening community resilience, and building an inclusive workforce that supports a high quality of life and a robust local economy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The action proposed herein falls outside the definition of a "project" because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment under section 15060 (c), and because it is a type of project covered in 15378(b).
Youth Service Corps Grant Authorization
May 4, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended action will allow the City's acceptance of $1,500,000 in grant funding and subcontract award of $250,000 with PCC. The proposed City Managers Department's FY 2027 Operating Budget will recognize the grant revenues and appropriate expenses in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Fund (681).
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Respectfully submitted by,
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DAVID KLUG
Economic Development Manager
Prepared by:
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MICHAEL TROGAN
Executive Director, Foothill Workforce
Development Board
Approved by:
-MATTHEW E. HAWKESWORTH
Interim City Manager
NICHOLAS G. RODRIGUEZ
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER