The State of California has issued a solicitation for proposals and guidelines relative to Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Governor’s 15 Percent Discretionary funds to serve the needs of targeted veterans. This is the application process for the Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP). It is recommended by staff that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the seven-city NOVA consortium, concur with the NOVA Workforce Board and approve the submission of a proposal for WIA VEAP funds to assist in integrating local veterans into meaningful employment.
BACKGROUND
The federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides that the Governor may reserve up to 15 percent from each of the amounts allotted to the three funding streams (adult, youth, and dislocated worker) for statewide workforce investment activities. This solicitation makes available up to $6 million of WIA discretionary funds for the Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP). The program will be conducted in accordance with the Veterans Workforce Investment Program and Veterans’ Priority Provisions of the Jobs for Veterans Act. The maximum total award for each grant will be limited to $500,000 for a grant term of 12 to 18 months. Proposals are due on December 29, 2004 and grants are to be awarded on February 1, 2005. The previous grantee for this area under these funds was Vietnam Veterans of California (VVC), with services provided through the Next Step Center in Menlo Park. VVC has chosen not to apply directly for these funds. If NOVA is successful in this grant application, it will follow required procurement procedures to select a provider of services.
EXISTING POLICY
The proposed activities are consistent with the City of Sunnyvale's Socio-Economic Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services within constraints of operative, federal regulations and available federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
DISCUSSION
The solicitation for proposals will target those programs that provide services to assist in integrating veterans with barriers to employment into meaningful employment within the labor force. Applicants are required to provide employment and training services, supportive services, placement and follow-up through a case management approach. Veterans served by this grant must be in at least one of the following priority groups: 1) service-connected disabled veterans, 2) recently-separated veterans, 3) campaign veterans, 4) veterans with significant barriers, or 5) eligible spouses. It is expected that the project demonstrate linkages with the one-stop system and other public and private organizations in order to leverage client services. The ultimate objective of the services provided is to place each eligible veteran into meaningful, gainful employment that allows the participant to become economically self-sufficient. The NOVA Workforce Board has approved the submission of a proposal for these funds.
Fiscal Impact
There will be no fiscal impact to the City because funds received will offset program expenditures.
CONCLUSION
The State of California has issued a solicitation for proposals and guidelines relative to Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Governor’s 15 Percent Discretionary funds to serve the needs of targeted veterans through the Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP). Staff recommends that Council concurs with the NOVA Workforce Board and approves the submission of a proposal for WIA VEAP funds to assist in integrating local veterans into meaningful employment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
1. Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page and the availability of the report in the Library and City Clerk's Office.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council authorizes the submission of a proposal to the State of California for Workforce Investment Act Veterans Employment-Related Program funds in an amount not to exceed $500,000.
2. Council does not approve submission of a proposal.
3. Other action as determined by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by staff that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the NOVA seven-city consortium, concur with the decision of the NOVA Workforce Board and adopt Alternative 1: Council authorizes the submission of a proposal to the State of California for Workforce Investment Act Veterans Employment-Related Program funds in an amount not to exceed $500,000. It is further recommended that the City Manager or her designee be authorized to execute the necessary grant agreements relative to these funds.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director, Department of Employment Development
Prepared by: Jeanette Langdellm Employment Training Manager
Approved by:
Amy Chan,
City Manager