September 22, 2026
DocID #78596v1
Library and Community Services
DATE: September 22, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager -
Community Services
Tamara Walker, Deputy Director of
Community Services, Employment and Training Division
Subject: Accept and Appropriate $1,790,303 in Workforce Development Grant Awards from U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Kaiser Permanente, and the U.S.
Department of Labor
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $1,790,303 expenditure is funded by workforce development grants awarded by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Kaiser Permanente,
and the U.S. Department of Labor. The budget for the
Employment and Training Department will be increased
by $1,790,303, and the Employment and Training grant
revenue accounts will be increased by $1,790,303. There is no net change to the overall City budget.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Department of Labor (DOL), and Kaiser Permanente
awarded the City of Richmond’s Employment & Training
Department grants totaling $1,790,303. The funds will be used for Brownfield training, employment and training
services for adults, youth, and dislocated workers, and to support Building Bridges to Career Opportunities to
support youth not going to college.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $1,790,303 in workforce development grant funds
received from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Department of Labor, and Kaiser Permanente –
AGENDA
REPORT
September 22, 2026
DocID #78596v1
Community Services (Tamara Walker 510-307-
8006/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond’s Employment and Training Department was awarded a total of $1,790,303 in grant funds from the following three entities:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ($500,000) – To provide brownfield training and services to participants of RichmondBUILD, a construction preapprenticeship program, through June 30, 2031 (Attachment 1). Kaiser Permanente ($25,000) – To provide tutorial assistance and stipends for youth participating in Building Bridges to Career Opportunities (Attachment 2). Department of Labor (1,265,303) – Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act allocation to support youth, adults, and dislocated workers with employment and training services (Attachments 3 and 4).
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
This action aligns with the City Council’s priorities to:
Advances the City of Richmond’s Workforce Development and Youth Opportunity policies by expanding access to job training, paid work experience, and career pathways for youth, young adults, and dislocated workers. Aligns with State and Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) priorities, including rapid response, layoff aversion, employer engagement, and reemployment services funded through the State of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD).
Promotes equity and economic mobility by prioritizing underserved residents and individuals impacted by layoffs for workforce services and training opportunities.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Environmental Protection Agency Award Letter Attachment 2 – Kaiser Award Letter
Attachment 3 – Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act Allocation 1 Attachment 4 – Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act Allocation 2 Attachment 5 – Resolution