October 21, 2025
Library and Community Services
DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Tamara Walker, Deputy Director of Community Services
– Employment & Training
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager – Community
Services
Subject:
Supportive Services for Residents Enrolled in Futuro
Healthcare Career Training Program
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed total not to exceed cost of $22,700 will be funded through a transfer from General Fund (1001) to
the Employment & Training (E&T) Fund (1205). This
funding will be used to provide supportive services to
Richmond residents accepted into Futuro Health career
training programs, with a cap of $227 per participant to cover mandatory application, background check, and
drug screening fees (Account String: 12579341-400358-
42999).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 1, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City Council authorized $22,700 to cover application fees of $227 per participant for up to 100 Richmond
residents enrolling in Futuro Health programs. City staff was directed to return with a recommendation on the
disbursement of these funds.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
AUTHORIZE the Richmond Workforce Development
Board (RWDB), through the Employment & Training
Division (E&T), to classify the $227.00 participant fee as a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
supportive service expense, and allow disbursement
AGENDA
REPORT
October 21, 2025
through E&T existing structures to Richmond residents
once accepted into the Futuro Health program, and
APPROPRIATE up to $22,700 from the General Fund to
fund this program – Community Services (LaShonda
White 510-620-6828/Tamara Walker 510-307-8006).
DISCUSSION:
Background
On July 1, 2025, City Council received a presentation from Futuro Health, which was launched through a partnership between SEIU-UHW and Kaiser Permanente, and provides tuition-free training in high-demand allied health careers such as medical assisting, patient care technician, certified nursing assistant, and phlebotomy. While tuition is free, applicants must pay $227 in non-refundable fees (application + screening costs). For low-income residents, these fees are a barrier to enrollment. Council allocated $22,700 to eliminate this barrier for up to 100 Richmond residents.
After discussion, City Council directed City staff to explore a resolution to disperse $22,700 from an identified funding source into healthcare career training programs, and return to the City Council with a plan to implement the Council’s direction.
After considering various options, including partnering with a non-profit entity to administer the program and releasing a Request for Proposals to allow other health care entities the opportunity to partner with the City, City staff recommends classifying the funds required for application and screening costs as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) supportive services, administered by E&T.
Recommended Path Forward
City staff believe this approach is the best path forward and it adheres to City and Employment & Training Division (E&T) procurement policies. It is also administratively feasible for E&T and will meet the needs of the Richmond residents accepted into this program for the following reasons:
1. Alignment with Approved Workforce Development Goals
The Richmond Workforce Development Board (RWDB) Local Plan (PY 25–28) identifies healthcare as a priority industry sector, emphasizing pathways into allied health careers to strengthen the regional healthcare workforce pipeline (Attachment 1)
Providing fee assistance supports residents’ entry into these priority occupations, consistent with the City’s sector strategies and workforce equity goals.
2. Existing E&T Infrastructure
E&T already administers WIOA programs, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
October 21, 2025
The department maintains established systems for disbursing participant supportive services, including WISELY prepaid debit cards, which are already used for stipends, transportation, clothing, tuition fees, and testing fees Leveraging this system avoids additional administrative costs of contracting with an intermediary nonprofit
3. WIOA Supportive Services Authority
Under Title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) §680.900–910, supportive services are allowable expenditures when necessary to enable program participation.
Covered costs may include background checks, drug testing, and onboarding fees, meaning the $227 application package falls squarely within allowable expenses
4. Procurement Compliance
Supportive services are considered direct participant costs, not purchased training contracts, and therefore fall outside formal procurement requirements under 2 CFR §200.317–200.326.
This approach keeps the City fully compliant with procurement rules while expediting delivery of services
5. Local Board Determination Authority
The California Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) helps adults and people who have lost their jobs find training programs. The ETPL includes approved places that offer different types of training, including classes, online courses, and apprenticeships. The ETPL was created by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and updated by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. The training providers on this list are funded through WIOA to help cover training costs.
The Local Board Determination Policy allows RWDB to fund training outside the State ETPL when it (Attachment 2):
o leads to an industry-valued credential,
o is aligned with priority sectors like healthcare, and o addresses barriers to employment
Futuro Health programs meet all these conditions, providing credentials in high- demand healthcare occupations while serving residents who face financial barriers.
Any other program that meets these conditions and is not listed on the ETPL, could also partner with E&T
Through WIOA enrollment, participants gain access to the full spectrum of workforce services—including case management, referrals, supportive services (e.g., transportation, childcare, work clothing), and coordination with collaborative partners.
These wraparound supports address barriers that may otherwise prevent program completion, improving outcomes and ensuring equitable access to healthcare career pathways.
October 21, 2025
POLICY SYNERGIES:
Federal Workforce Policy: Expands access to healthcare career training via supportive services.
City Goals: Advances workforce equity, vocational training, and employment in high-demand sectors.
RWDB Local Plan: Directly invests in healthcare, a designated priority sector. State Initiatives: Complements High Road Training Partnerships by aligning with industry needs and removing barriers.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Richmond Workforce Board final local plan Program Years 2025-2028 Attachment 2 – Richmond Workforce Board Local Determination Policy