Community Development Agency
santa-ana.org/community-development
Item # 21
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
February 20, 2024
TOPIC: Agreement with Working Wardrobes Project New Start
AGENDA TITLE
Approve an Agreement with Working Wardrobes to Provide Workforce Development Services to Unemployed People with Barriers to Employment
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Working Wardrobes for workforce development services, including workforce readiness workshops, job development, career planning, and job training in an amount not to exceed $742,000, for a term commencing February 6, 2024 and expiring December 31, 2025 (Agreement No. A-2024-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
No
DISCUSSION
Since 2018, the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), the State of California’s agent for the oversight and continuous improvement of California’s workforce development system, has engaged in a formal partnership with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Prison Industry Authority (CalPIA) with the goal of improving labor market outcomes of the state’s justice-involved and formerly incarcerated populations. The CWDB made available state general funds for the implementation of regional programs to serve the formerly incarcerated and other justice-involved individuals in California. This funding is referred to as the Prison to Employment (P2E 2.0) Grant.
The Orange Regional Planning Unit (RPU) was awarded P2E 2.0 funds. Serving 34 cities and multiple large unincorporated areas in Orange County, the Orange RPU collaborates with partners to build on the region’s strengths, address challenges, and expand opportunities for community members and businesses that fuel economic vitality. The Orange RPU leads the region’s vision for a future-ready workforce that is better skilled, trained, and prepared to keep industries competitive, communities thriving, and the economy growing. The Orange RPU is composed of the City of Anaheim, County of Orange, and the City of Santa Ana Workforce Development Boards (WDBs). As it pertains to this grant, the City of Santa Ana will be the fiscal agent. The P2E grant requires a partnership with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that
Agreement with Working Wardrobes Project New Start
February 20, 2024
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serve the formerly incarcerated and other justice-involved individuals, and reentry service providers.
The Santa Ana Workforce Development Board (WDB) authorized the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) in August 2023 seeking organizations to provide workforce services and to establish a list of qualified providers. Three proposals were received from qualified non-profits. Orange RPU members reviewed and ranked the proposals. Working Wardrobes was awarded to provide services through December 31, 2025 (term of the agreement).
Working Wardrobes will serve a minimum of 84 formerly justice-involved individuals or under County Probation or State Parole supervision. Depending on the outcome of a workforce strategies assessment, individuals will be served through on-the-job training, or vocational training that leads to industry recognized certificate, or direct placement by using a wraparound case management coordinated with Working Wardrobes by the region’s three Workforce Development Boards. Coordination of referrals will take place pre-release at county jails and post release through deployment of staff at probation and parole offices located throughout the county.
FISCAL IMPACT
The amount of $742,000 has been budgeted in the Prison to Employment, Reserve Appropriation expenditure account (no. 14418760-69011) and will be transferred to Payment to Subagent account (no. 14418760-69135) upon City Council approval of the agreement.
Fiscal Year Grant
Year
Accounting
Unit – Account#
Fund
Description
Account Unit,
Account Description Total
FY 2023-24
(Feb. – Jun.) 2024 14418760-69135 Prison to
Employment Payment to Subagent $247,333
FY 2024-25
(Jul. – Jun.) 2024 14418760-69135 Prison to
Employment Payment to Subagent $247,333
FY 2025-26
(Jul. – Dec.) 2024 14418760-69135 Prison to
Employment Payment to Subagent $247,334
TOTAL $742,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Prison to Employment Agreement
Submitted By: Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director of Community Development Approved By: Tom Hatch, Interim City Manager