Title
Department of Human Services requesting the Board consider the following:
1) Approve the use of Subsidized Employment Program boilerplate agreements and one-page amendment form; and
2) Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of Human Services, or successors, to sign on behalf of the County said agreements and one-page amendment form with various governmental and community entities to enable eligible clients participating in the Department's federally funded Subsidized Employment Program (SEP) to gain paid work experience to improve their employability in the open job market.
FUNDING: Annual CalWORKs grant covered under the Single Allocation formula.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
|
Total Estimated Cost |
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$100,000 |
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|
|
Funding |
|
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Budgeted |
$100,000 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$100,000 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No change.
Funding for the Subsidized Employment Program (SEP) is covered under the Single Allocation formula of the annual California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) grant. The County match is met primarily with non general fund resources. It is anticipated that SEP will become an ongoing activity within the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work program. Funding will vary each year depending on the availability of Single Allocation dollars. Businesses and/or government agencies participating in this program will employ eligible individuals enrolled in CalWORKs and will receive reimbursement for no more than 50% of the hourly wage, but in no case more than $5 per hour.
Reason for Recommendation: CalWORKs is California's federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. CalWORKs provides funds for the Subsidized Employment Program (SEP) via the Single Allocation formula. SEP will enable participating clients to gain paid work experience, increase their income and advance towards self-sufficiency. Use of the boilerplate agreements and amendment form will enable businesses and/or government agencies participating in the SEP to employ eligible DHS clients and receive reimbursement of wages paid at a rate not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the hourly wage, but in no case more than $5 per hour. DHS anticipates placing over 30 participating clients in this program annually and therefore is recommending the Director or Assistant Director, or successors, be authorized to sign these agreements.
The two boilerplate agreements differ in that one requires the employer to pay for Workers' Compensation coverage while the other one provides that the California Department of Social Services will provide Workers' Compensation coverage in the case of the employer's financial hardship. The one-page amendment form will expedite adjustments to the initial agreement that may become necessary during a client's participation in the program.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Human Services will utilize and have the Director or Assistant Director sign the referenced SEP agreements and amendment form for provision of SEP services.
Contact: Daniel Nielson, M.P.A, x7275
Concurrences: County Counsel and Risk Management