Community Development Agency
www.santa-ana.org/cd
Item # 10
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 1, 2025
TOPIC: Youth Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Agreements
AGENDA TITLE
Agreements with Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center, Working Wardrobes for a New Start, and StandUp for Kids Orange County to Provide Workforce Readiness Preparation, Work Experience, and Career Training Programs to Santa Ana Youth
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve an agreement in an amount not to exceed $250,000 with Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center, for a period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
2. Approve an agreement in an amount not to exceed $200,000 with Working Wardrobes for a New Start, for a period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
3. Approve an agreement in an amount not to exceed $200,000 with StandUp for Kids Orange County, for a period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Agreement No. A- 2025-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law on July 22, 2014, is a federal legislation designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and supportive services to succeed in the labor market, and to help employers find and retain skilled workers. WIOA modernized and streamlined the nation’s workforce development system, replacing the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
A key priority of WIOA is serving youth and young adults, particularly those facing significant barriers to employment. WIOA requires that at least 75% of local youth funds be spent on out-of-school youth ages 16-24 and mandates that at least 20% of youth funds support paid work experience. WIOA also establishes 14 required program elements that youth providers must offer to promote educational achievement, career readiness, and long-term self-sufficiency.
Youth Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Agreements July 1, 2025
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Since WIOA’s enactment, the Santa Ana Workforce Development Board (WDB) and the City’s Community Development Agency have been dedicated to delivering high-quality employment workshops, job search assistance, and vocational training opportunities for residents while also assisting local businesses with their workforce needs. The WIOA grant is comprised of three funding streams that serve: low-income adults, recently laid off individuals, and youth between ages 16 - 24.
The WDB, in partnership with the City, strategically procures experienced Youth Service Providers to ensure that Santa Ana’s most vulnerable youth populations receive comprehensive workforce preparation services. Youth agreements are awarded annually to local non-profit organizations and collectively serve 50 to 60 Santa Ana youth each year.
On May 29, 2025, the State released Workforce Services Information Notice (WSIN) 24- 25 announcing Program Year (PY) 2025–2026 WIOA Youth funding allocations, with the city to receive $817,644 in WIOA youth workforce funds. The allocation will support the award of youth agreements with the following three organizations:
Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) has provided WIOA youth services for the city since the law was enacted in 2014. OCCTAC has successfully met enrollment and performance benchmarks, including the federal requirement to expend at least 75% of funds to Out-of-School Youth and meet or exceed the 20% minimum for paid work experience. The organization is progressing toward meeting all WIOA Youth Performance Measures for the current program year.
With more than 25 years of experience, OCCTAC has served over 70,000 youth in Santa Ana through culturally competent, trauma-informed programming. Each year, the organization supports approximately 7,000 youth, with targeted services for foster youth, youth with disabilities, high school dropouts, homeless youth, and youth on probation. OCCTAC has been a partner with the city in offering various workforce readiness programs since 2005.
For Program Year 2025–2026, OCCTAC will continue offering a comprehensive WIOA youth employment program aligned with the 14 WIOA-required elements. Services include:
•Paid work experience in high-demand fields such as health, education, technology, and the arts;
•Career counseling, job readiness, and life skills training; •Literacy and numeracy tutoring for basic skills-deficient youth; •Supportive services including mental health counseling, transportation, and academic advising;
•Mentoring, leadership development, and post-secondary education preparation.
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Participants will also receive access to industry-recognized certificates that enhance their employability. Certification opportunities include: Child Care Worker Certificate, Health Assistant/Aide Certificate, Customer Service and Administrative Office Support, and Digital Media and Technology Skills, including audio engineering, film production, and graphic design. All participants will receive individualized case management and wraparound support services to address personal and educational barriers.
Working Wardrobes, established in 1990, brings over 30 years of experience providing workforce development services to youth and adults overcoming major life barriers, including justice involvement, homelessness, foster care, and economic hardship. The organization has a strong track record serving vulnerable youth populations and delivering federally funded employment programs. For this contract, Working Wardrobes will implement its “Rebuilding Careers Program for Young Adults,” which provides a full- service model that includes:
•A dedicated Career Navigator offering individualized case management and career coaching.
•A structured, paid five-part workforce readiness workshop series. •Up to 90 hours of paid work experience at community employers or internal social enterprise locations.
•Access to WIOA-approved training programs in sectors such as construction, logistics, culinary arts, and information technology.
•Personalized mentoring and career exploration including job shadowing and mock interviews.
•Supportive services such as transportation assistance, background check fees, and professional attire.
•Twelve months of follow-up and career coaching after program completion to ensure job retention and long-term success.
StandUp for Kids Orange County, founded in 2003, has over 21 years of experience exclusively serving homeless and at-risk youth ages 12–24 throughout Orange County.
In 2024 alone, they served 1,784 youth across 28 cities, with 31% of those youth residing in Santa Ana. For this contract, they will enroll 20 out-of-school youth between the ages of 16-24. Their expertise lies in addressing the needs of highly vulnerable populations through a trauma-informed, mentorship-driven model. For this contract, StandUp for Kids Orange County will implement its “Journey to Self-Sufficiency” and “Work Activation Readiness Program,” which combine employment training with holistic support:
•Participants move through five stages focusing on basic needs, employment readiness, job retention, financial literacy, and personal development. •Youth receive paid internships or stipends for occupational training in industries such as Cybersecurity, Armed/Unarmed Security, Culinary Arts, and Healthcare.
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•Participants access essential services such as medical and mental health care, legal aid, credit repair, and housing assistance. •Dedicated case managers and mentors develop individualized case plans aligned with WIOA outcomes, supported by a 100+ member trained volunteer base.
•StandUp for Kids Orange County boasts a 97% one-year retention rate for youth achieving stable housing and employment and 100% high school graduation rate among school-age youth in its programs.
By awarding contracts to the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (Exhibit 1), Working Wardrobes (Exhibit 2), and StandUp for Kids (Exhibit 3), the City ensures that its most vulnerable youth are served by well-established, highly experienced providers with a history of measurable impact, broad community partnerships, and a deep commitment to helping youth achieve independence, career readiness, and long- term self-sufficiency. Collectively the providers will assist 65 Santa Ana youth.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on May 15, 2025, the Workforce Development Board approved the recommended action by a vote of 14:0 (Beasley, Campos, Elliott, and Ruiz absent).
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available in the FY 2025-26 budget in the following account below.
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit-Account
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description
Amount
FY 25-26 12318763-
69135 WIOA WIOA Youth –
Payment to Subagent $304,920
Total $304,920
A proposed carryover for the remaining balance of $345,080 will be presented for City Council consideration to FY 2025-26.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center Agreement
2. Working Wardrobes Agreement
3. StandUp for Kids Orange County Agreement
Submitted By: Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director of Community Development Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager