DATE: August 9, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Mandated Partner Memorandum of Understanding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Memorandum of Understanding between the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board and the County of Fresno Department of Social Services for workforce development services, effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025, total not to exceed $48,726.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, which allows the Department of Social Services to partner with the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board (FRWDB) to continue to operate the America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) and provide employment development and barrier removal services to CalWORKs participants in accordance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no alternative action. If a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is not in effect with each mandated partner by July 1, 2022, the FRWDB will be out of compliance with WIOA requirements and could lose funding for activities that benefit the job-seeking residents of Fresno County.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended MOU is retroactive to July 1, 2022, due finalization of the MOU template approval. Your Board approved the template on June 7, 2022. Once approved, the Department began preparing the MOU.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation for the term of the agreement ($48,726) will be offset with State and Federal Social Service Funds ($42,006), County match comprised of 2011 Realignment ($4,429), 1991 Realignment ($1,896) and budgeted Net County Cost ($395) required for the General Relief share. The Department’s anticipated contribution for co-located staff for FFY 2022-23 is $186,624, which is separate from the agreement budget cost as this amount represents the value of services provided by the Department to the AJCC, however, this is an in-kind contribution, and there is no monetary exchange for this amount. This is an increase from the FY 2021-22 Infrastructure Funding Agreement (IFA), due to the Department’s program relocation to a larger building. While the Department’s occupied space decreased from 1.63% to 1%, this larger building is an increase in cost per square foot. The IFA is incorporated within the MOU. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests as appropriate.
DISCUSSION:
In July 2014, WIOA was signed into law, and mandates that certain Federal, State, and local agencies formally partner with local Workforce Development Boards, now known as the AJCC. The partnership allows clients to be referred between the partners for specific services, allowing resources from multiple sources to be leveraged at singular, accessible locations. Currently, the Department provides a Job Specialist (JS) and an Office Assistant (OA) at the AJCC full-time. The JS carries a caseload and assists with questions from other co-located partners that have clients who may qualify for services offered. The JS also assists with job fairs, employer services events, scholarship panels, and participates with the AJCC Self-Reliance Team. The OA assists with reception duties and other events as needed.
Expectations of the FRWDB and the partners are outlined in the MOU, while operational costs are incorporated into the MOU as an IFA. WIOA requires that MOUs be reviewed and updated as needed every three years, and the IFA updated annually. The IFA reflects the total estimated costs of the services provided to the community by co-located staff and ensures that all partners share equitably in the costs associated with the AJCC.
The AJCC is currently located in Manchester Center, but will take occupancy of its new building, located at 3170 W. Shaw Avenue, in August 2022. The budget is based upon projected expenditures in the new building. This may result in an adjustment to the Department’s operational costs for the space occupied, requiring an amendment to the IFA, which would be brought before your Board.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #38, June 7, 2022
BAI #44, May 7, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - MOU with FRWDB
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa