DATE: May 25, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with America Works of California, Inc. for Job Ready Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with America Works of California, Inc. for Job Ready Services for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Welfare-to-Work participants, effective June 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024, which includes a 25-month base contract and one 12-month extension, total not to exceed $3,004,451.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow America Works of California, Inc. (AWCA) to provide California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Welfare to Work (WTW) participants with soft skills, employability training, removal of barriers to employment, and assistance with job search leading to employment, with no increase in Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If your Board does not approve the recommended action, the Department will be out of compliance with the Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC), section 11320 et seq., which mandates employment services for WTW participants.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the recommended agreement ($3,004,451) will be offset using the CalWORKs Single Allocation. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
Job Ready services are State-mandated employment services that the Department provides to recipients of CalWORKs WTW assistance. Services must be in accordance with the WIC Division 9, Part 3, Chapter 2, Section 11320 et seq., which requires the County to deliver a structural sequence of employment-related activities to WTW recipients.
Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 21-029 for Job Ready Services - Welfare To Work was issued on January 22, 2021. The RFP was sent to twenty-three potential bidders and six bids were received, with all proposals deemed responsive by the Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division. The proposals were evaluated by a review panel comprised of three Department staff and two community partners. AWCA’s proposal was unanimously recommended for funding.
The AWCA proposal was considered to be the most responsive to the RFP in the delivery of employment services demonstrated by previous experience providing employment services, in-person and online services accessible throughout Fresno County, experience in providing remote services, and a lending library for tablets and hotspots to participants who do not have access to the required remote technology. Proposed services will be offered to participants throughout Fresno County remotely, or in person with office locations in the City of Fresno and the City of Selma. Services will lead to employment and/or transition to a WTW-approved activity within 45 days of completing a workshop.
The program consists of two workshop tracks dependent on a participant’s needs. Track I is a four-week session of employability workshops for participants with multiple barriers to employment and is expected to serve 20-50 participants each month. Track II is a two-week employability workshop for participants who have minimal barriers to employment and is expected to serve 20-40 participants per month.
The recommended agreement may be terminated through written notice of non-renewal by the vendor, the Department’s Director, or designee no later than 30 days prior to the close of the agreement term.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with AWCA
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa