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Approve a Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County contract with Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc. to provide comprehensive services under the Prison to Employment Initiative for clients with criminal convictions beginning August 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for an amount not to exceed $52,000; and Authorize the Workforce Development Board President/Executive Director to sign the contract
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve a Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County contract with Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc. to provide comprehensive services under the Prison to Employment Initiative for clients with criminal convictions beginning August 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for an amount not to exceed $52,000 and Authorize the Workforce Development Board President/Executive Director to sign the contract
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
It is recommended that the Board approve staff’s recommendation to approve a contract for $52,000 with Center for Employment Opportunities to provide comprehensive services under the Prison to Employment Initiative for clients with criminal convictions for the period of August 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021
It is also recommended that the Board authorize the President/Executive Director to sign this professional service contract after it has been reviewed by County Counsel and approved by the County Board of Supervisors. As required by Solano County’s Procurement Policy and the Board’s current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County, any contract above $50,000 must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Supervisors. With the original contract exceeding $50,000, any extensions to the contract must be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The WDB received fund from the California Workforce Development Board, passed through the Sonoma Workforce Investment Board as the North Bay Regional fiscal agent, to provide services and improvements to justice-involved individuals through Prison to Employment.
Procurement Process
The WDB selected the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) through a sole source procurement to sub-contract transitional employment opportunities for justice-involved individuals as part of this initiative. CEO was selected via sole source due to the lack of organizations in Solano County providing transitional employment opportunities to justice-involved individuals and the uniqueness of their model.
CEO currently provides transitional jobs and job readiness for justice-involved individuals through the CalTrans initiative in Solano County through referrals from Parole and Probation entities. CEO will be able to incorporate WDB funding to serve an additional 13 justice-involved individuals into their program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The WDB’s FY2019/20 and FY2020/21 budget will include the necessary funding to cover the cost of this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
While not recommended, the Board could choose not to approve staff to contract with CEO and instead provide direction to conduct a new procurement for services. However, CEO is uniquely situated to provide the services required by the Prison to Employment initiative.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
No other agency involvement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION