Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 127-2023, which authorizes the HHSA Director, or Deputy Director of Social Services, to execute the CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program boilerplate agreements, including amendments thereto, and superseding Resolution 042-2015; and
2) Approve the use of the two (2) CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program boilerplate agreements on an “as requested” basis in order to allow eligible HHSA clients who are participating in the CalWORKs program, the opportunity to gain paid work experience to improve their employability in the open job market; said boilerplate agreements include:
a) CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program Agreement boilerplate; and
b) CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program Amendment boilerplate.
FUNDING: CalWORKs Expanded Subsidized Employment annual allocation, Federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and State General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Assembly Bill 74, also known as Chapter 21 of the 2013 Statutes, introduced the Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) Program in California. This program was specifically created to expand subsidized employment opportunities for individuals enrolled in the CalWORKs program. The main objective of the ESE Program is to enhance employment prospects for CalWORKs clients and provide them with valuable work experience, ultimately empowering them to achieve self-sufficiency through employment.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is highly supportive of the ESE Program's expansion and acknowledges the numerous benefits it offers to CalWORKs clients. As the overseeing authority, the CDSS is responsible for the implementation and management of the program.
Under the purview of HHSA, the Employment Services Program strives to assist individuals in securing employment. HHSA evaluates the eligibility of participants for cash assistance within the statewide CalWORKs program. The Welfare-to-Work Employment Services program operates as the employment and training component of CalWORKs, providing a comprehensive range of services to cash assistance recipients. These services are designed to equip individuals with the necessary tools and resources to attain self-sufficiency through gainful employment.
The Subsidized Employment Program, established by Assembly Bill 74, Chapter 21 and Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11322 et seq., is aimed at promoting early engagement of CalWORKs participants and facilitating their acquisition of valuable work experience. Participating employers are strongly encouraged to offer permanent, unsubsidized employment opportunities to program participants upon the completion of their CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program agreements.
Individuals can partake in the CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program for a duration of six months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of twelve months. The employer is eligible for reimbursement by the county for up to 50% of the employee's hourly wage. Additionally, the employer assumes responsibility for paying the remaining 50% of wages, all payroll taxes, and providing Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage. Throughout the program's duration, participants are considered regular members of the employer's workforce.
HHSA is recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Resolution, superseding Resolution 042-2015, and approve the use of the two (2) CalWORKs Subsidized Employment Program boilerplate agreements.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would fail to effectively serve individuals who are participating in the CalWORKs Employment Services program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
04/07/15, 15-0288, HHSA WIA/CalWORKs Resos & Boilerplates
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreements.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the Resolution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency