DATE: April 13, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer
Blake Konczal, Executive Director, Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board
SUBJECT: Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board Application for Local Area Subsequent Designation and Local Board Recertification
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board’s application for Local Area Subsequent Designation and Local Board Recertification for program year July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023.
REPORT
The Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board (FRWDB) is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) between the City of Fresno and the County of Fresno that manages Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, disbursed by the United States Department of Labor, to provide services that will ensure participants find jobs and that businesses have access to a skilled workforce. Per the WIOA, the FRWDB is required to submit a biennial application for Local Area Subsequent Designation (LASD) and Local Board Recertification (LBR) to the California Workforce Development Board (State Board). Prior to submission, the application must be approved by the FRWDB, the Mayor of the City of Fresno, and the Chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the LBR result will be denied and a new FRWDB will be appointed and certified in accordance with WIOA Section 107(c)(2)(C).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, as this is an application for a designation, and has no monetary considerations.
DISCUSSION:
The FRWDB is a JPA between the City and County of Fresno, in partnership with both the public and private sectors and exists, primarily, to assist local businesses in meeting human capital needs. In this, the FRWDB screens and trains prospective new employees and assists in increasing the skills of existing employees. By offering such quality referral and training services, directly linked to local industry needs, the FRWDB is of greatest benefit to unemployed and underemployed clients.
The WIOA Sections 106 and 107 provide criteria for subsequent designation of Workforce Development Local Areas and recertification of Workforce Development Local Boards. Specifically, WIOA Section 106 requires the Governor to designate local areas within the State, and WIOA Section 107 requires the Governor to certify one local board for each local area. The State Board and the Employment Development Department (EDD), acting under the authority of the Governor, released a directive on February 22, 2021 that established policies and procedures for the subsequent designation of local areas and recertification of local boards.
To be eligible for subsequent designation and board recertification, the FRWDB must meet the following criteria to submit the LASD and LBR application:
1. Meet the WIOA local board membership requirements;
2. Meet or exceed performance accountability measures;
3. Achieve sustained fiscal integrity; and
4. Engage in regional planning.
The FRWDB has met all of the required criteria.
The WIOA requires that the FRWDB and the local Chief Elected Official(s) (CEOs) for the local workforce area approve and execute the application. The directive requires applications to be submitted to the State Board by April 30, 2021. In the event the FRWDB is unable to obtain local approval by the submission deadline, the FRWDB may submit an unsigned copy of the application with an explanation for the absent signature(s), and the date by which the signed original will be sent. The FRWDB will not receive full subsequent designation status until the signed application is submitted to the State Board.
The 2019-2021 application for LASD and LBR was approved by your Board on June 4, 2019.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The FRWDB Executive Committee has reviewed the application and is scheduled to approve on April 21, 2021. The City of Fresno Mayor’s Office has reviewed the application and is scheduled to approve on April 22, 2021.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #39, June 4, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - LASD and LBR Application
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander