Community Development Agency
www.santa-ana.gov/cd
Item # 29
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
August 4, 2026
TOPIC: Regional Coordination Project (RCP) Program Year 2026-27 Grant Award for CareerRx OC Healthcare Initiative
AGENDA TITLE
Resolution and Appropriation Adjustment to Accept the State Regional Coordination Grant Award Agreement AA611027 (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution to accept the State of California Regional Coordination Project grant award, and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the State of California – Employment Development Department, WIOA and approve Appropriation Adjustment for $1,000,000 for the CareerRx OC healthcare initiative.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT
FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION BETWEEN LOCAL
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES,
AND SUPPORT TO LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN SANTA ANA
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to conduct all negotiations, sign, and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the Project scope, including but not limited to agreements with subrecipients, consultants, and contractors.
3. Approve an appropriation adjustment to recognize $1,000,000 in funds from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act-Federal Grant-Indirect account (no. 12318002-52001) and appropriating the same amount to expenditure account (no. 12318729-various). (Requires five affirmative votes) GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
Adopt a Resolution to accept the CareerRX OC Initiative Award August 4, 2026
5 9
2 9
DISCUSSION
The State of California Employment Development Department has selected the City to receive a competitive Regional Coordination Project Grant in the amount of $1,000,000 to support CareerRx OC healthcare initiative.
This Regional Coordination Project intends to advance workforce innovation through collaboration with adult education providers and community colleges, grounded in regional approaches and sector strategies. The grant will directly address regional healthcare labor shortgages including more than 2,500 Medical Assistant openings and 900 Licensed Vocational Nurses while simultaneously helping residents overcome barriers such as tuition assistance, transportation, and lack of career pathway awareness. The grant period is anticipated to span 24 months focused on expanding career pathway opportunities in allied healthcare occupations, particularly Medical Assistant training and advancement pathways into Licensed Vocational Nurse careers.
The City will serve as the lead agency and fiscal agent for the regional partnership. The project brings together workforce, education, and healthcare sector partners to address documented healthcare workforce shortages across Orange County while increasing access to training and employment opportunities for low-income and underserved residents.
The following are the key project subrecipients and partner organizations, with the planned funding allocations:
• Orange County Workforce Development Board - approximately $349,000 • Anaheim Workforce Development Board - approximately $165,000 • Huntington Beach Adult School - approximately $50,000 • North Orange Continuing Education - approximately $25,000 • Labor Market Information - $21,000
• Hospital Association of Southern California - $15,000 Santa Ana College also plays a critical role in the CareerRx OC initiative as the region's primary postsecondary education partner. While the Regional Coordination Project requires collaboration with adult education providers for entry-level workforce training, Santa Ana College serves as the advanced education and career pathway partner for participants seeking to continue beyond Medical Assistant training into higher-skilled healthcare occupations, including the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program and other allied health careers. Participants completing the initial training will be encouraged to transition into Santa Ana College's healthcare programs, with eligible individuals receiving Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) tuition assistance and supportive services. This partnership creates a seamless career pathway that allows residents to earn industry-recognized credentials, advance their education locally, and obtain higher-wage employment while helping meet Orange County's long-term healthcare workforce needs.
Adopt a Resolution to accept the CareerRX OC Initiative Award August 4, 2026
5 9
2 9
As fiscal agent and lead entity, the City is anticipated to retain approximately $375,000 of the total award to support regional coordination, direct program operations, participant supportive services, employer engagement, administration, and project oversight.
The project is designed to serve participants through cohort-based healthcare training, work-based learning, supportive services, externships, and direct connections to healthcare employers. The partnership will also support regional workforce system coordination and long-term healthcare sector pathway development.
This award represents a significant regional investment in workforce development and reinforces the City’s leadership role in convening regional partnerships that address both employer workforce needs and economic mobility for residents.
Adoption of the Resolution (Exhibit 1) will allow the City to accept the grant funds from the State of California and authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests which may be necessary for the completion of the Project scope(s), including but not limited to agreements with contractors, consultants, and vendors detailed in the Grant Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the appropriation adjustment will recognize $1,000,000 in funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act-Federal Grant-Indirect account (no. 12318002-52001) and appropriate the same amount to expenditure account (no. 12318729-various). Grant includes 10% Administrative Costs, remaining to Staffing, Overhead, and Contractual Expenses.
Funds will be assigned, budgeted, and available for expenditure in FY 2026-27. Any remaining balances not expended at the end of the fiscal year will be presented to City Council for approval of carryovers to FY 2027-28.
Fiscal Year Accounting
Unit-Account Fund Description
Accounting Unit,
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2026-27 12318729-
various
Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act
(WIOA)
WIOA, Various $375,000
FY 2026-27 12318729-
69135
Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act
(WIOA)
WIOA, Payment to
Subagent $625,000
Total $1,000,000
Adopt a Resolution to accept the CareerRX OC Initiative Award August 4, 2026
5 9
2 9
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution
Submitted By: Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director, Community Development Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager