Community Development Agency
www.santa-ana.org/cd
Item # 11
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
September 16, 2025
TOPIC: Agreement with Coast Community College District for the Strong Workforce Program
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Coast Community College District for the Strong Workforce Program (SWP) Transforming Intermediary Partnerships for Student Success (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve an agreement with Coast Community College District to implement the Strong Workforce Program (SWP) Transforming Intermediary Partnerships for Student Success Project, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, for a ten-month period beginning September 16, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2026 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
2. Approve an appropriation adjustment to recognize $50,000 in funds from Orange County Grant Revenue State Grants-Indirect account (no. 12418002-52027) and appropriating the same amount to OCCC Grant expenditure account (No. 12418753-Various) (Requires five affirmative votes).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The Strong Workforce Program (SWP) is a statewide initiative designed to strengthen career education programs and regional workforce pipelines with funds that are managed locally by the Orange County Regional Consortium. The project Transforming Intermediary Partnerships for Student Success addresses challenges employers face when engaging with community colleges and workforce centers.
Employers often cite a lack of clarity regarding points of contact, insufficient knowledge of available workforce resources, and uncertainty regarding student and job seeker readiness. This project seeks to resolve those issues through system building, employer outreach, and shared professional development.
Agreement with Coast Community College District for the Strong Workforce Program September 16, 2025
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Partners include:
•The three (3) Orange County Workforce Development Boards (Anaheim, Santa Ana, OC Workforce Solutions), and
•Orange County Community Colleges.
This collaborative effort aims to increase alignment between education providers, workforce centers, and employers across the region.
The Santa Ana Workforce Development Board (SAWDB) will provide services in four (4) key areas:
Systems Building •Develop a regional advisory process through Building Industry Leadership Teams (BILT)
•Recruit subject matter experts to validate in-demand skills and align regional advisories
Business and
Client Services
Support
•Collaborate with colleges and workforce centers on sector strategies
•Coordinate local and virtual employer outreach events
•Expand employer listings on the OC Works platform
Resources and
Training
•Develop user stories and requirements for OC Works
navigation
•Lead joint trainings for career counseling and workforce staff on current labor market data and case management
techniques
Communication
and Planning
•Participate in project planning meetings, regional
evaluation, and reporting activities
The agreement is for a ten-month period ending June 30, 2026, with specific deliverables including:
•Completion of BILT training by two (2) Workforce Center representatives. •Participate in quarterly alignment meetings with community college deans and directors.
•Engage in employer outreach events, adding 10 new employers to the OC Works map.
•Identify success stories highlighting the benefits of OC Works. •Assist with the development of a best practices document for career services teams.
Approval of this agreement allows SAWDB to utilize the $50,000 in grant funds to strengthen employer engagement, enhance workforce readiness, and expand partnerships with regional education providers. The project will provide benefits for employers, students, and job seekers in Santa Ana and the region.
Agreement with Coast Community College District for the Strong Workforce Program September 16, 2025
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FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the appropriation adjustment will recognize $50,000 in funds from Orange County Grant Revenue State Grants-Indirect account (no. 12418002-52027) and appropriate the same amounts to expenditure accounts as shown in the table below.
Funds will be assigned, budgeted, and available for expenditure in FY 2025-26.
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit-
Account
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description Amount
FY 25-26 12418753-61xxx OCCC
GRANT
OCCC GRANT, Salaries
& Benefits $30,500
FY 25-26 12418753-62120 OCCC
GRANT
OCCC GRANT, Training,
Transportation, Meeting $11,500
FY 25-26 12418753-62500 OCCC
GRANT
OCCC GRANT, Rent
Payments $1,000
FY 25-26 12418753-63001 OCCC
GRANT
OCCC GRANT,
Miscellaneous Operating
Expenses
$4,000
FY 25-26 12418753-65100 OCCC
GRANT OCCC GRANT, Liability $3,000
Total: $50,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Coast Community College District SWP Agreement
Submitted By: Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director of Community Development Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager