August 9, 2005
SUBJECT: Approval of NOVA Local Workforce Investment Area Five-Year Strategic Local Plan Modification for PY 2005-06
REPORT IN BRIEF
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) policies require that the local Workforce Investment Board submit a Five-Year Plan to the Governor for its WIA allocated funds. The purpose of the Plan is to describe the local area’s one-stop approach to workforce development programs that respond to the employment needs of its many customers, including current workers, unemployed workers, dislocated workers, new entrants to the labor force, youth, veterans, and employers. NOVA’s Plan reflects an employment and training system based on informed customer choice and performance accountability. Modifications to the Plan are to be submitted annually.
In 2005-06, NOVA does not plan significant strategic changes; therefore, the plan modification consists of new budget and participant plans for the allocated funding. It is recommended that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the NOVA seven-city consortium, concur with the decision of the NOVA Workforce Board and approve the strategic local plan modification for program year 2005-06.
BACKGROUND
The Workforce Investment Act was enacted in 1998, providing sweeping changes in workforce development and training. NOVA was in the forefront of these changes and was a recognized innovative organization in the country. The change transitioned the Job Training Partnership Act into the new WIA legislation beginning in July 2000. The State of California, under the direction of the Governor, developed a five-year plan for the new legislation, and required each Local Workforce Investment Area to submit a five-year plan in conjunction with that of the State. The NOVA Workforce Board serves as the guiding force behind NOVA’s continued development, growth, and service.
NOVA’s five-year plan explains the partnerships developed under the CONNECT! One-Stop system, providing one source for service. NOVA and the Employment Development Department serve as the major partners in the CONNECT! partnership. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) guides all of the partners, which now total 34 agencies. An MOU is one of the major requirements in the plan.
The plan also illustrates the diversity of services available to individuals and businesses, and is updated each year to reflect local economic conditions and any significant strategic changes. Current LWIA Five-Year Strategic Plans expired on June 30, 2005. However, pending WIA reauthorization legislation, the State is allowing a one-year extension to the existing plans.
It should be noted that the plan was released for public comments, which were due July 26, 2005. No comments were received.
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
NOVA and the CONNECT! one-stop do not plan significant changes this year in terms of strategic direction; therefore, the primary focus of the plan this year is updated budget and participant plans for the use of the program year 2005-06 allocated funds.
In terms of funding for PY 05-06, NOVA’s Adult, Dislocated Workers, and Youth allocations were all decreased, following a 17% increase in PY 04-05, and a 10% increase in PY 03-04.
The following chart shows NOVA’s PY 05-06 new allocations, compared with our PY 04-05 allocations:
Grant |
PY 05-06 New Funds |
PY 04-05 New Funds |
Variance |
PY 04-05 Carry Over |
|
Adult Allocation |
$976,291 |
$1,224,806 |
|
|
|
Dislocated Workers Allocation |
$1,571,616 |
$1,938,240 |
-19% |
$534,000 |
|
Youth Allocation |
$956,857 |
$1,238,097 |
-23% |
$83,000 |
Totals |
$3,504,764 |
$4,401,143 |
-20% |
$917,000 |
NOVA will continue to serve the populations eligible for these grants thorough Core, Intensive and Training Services as regulated under WIA. Youth are served in Older Youth and Younger Youth groups. The following are planned enrollment numbers for PY 2005-06:
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact to the City because funds received will offset program expenditures.
CONCLUSION
NOVA is required to submit an annual modification to its Five-Year Strategic Local Plan for the use of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds. This year’s modification reflects the new allocations for Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth, and new planned participant numbers. Staff recommends approval of the plan modification for program year 2005-06. The NOVA Workforce Board approved the plan at its meeting of July 27, 2005.
PUBLIC CONTACT
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 approves the five-year strategic local plan modification for program year 2005-06.
2. Council does not approve the plan and/or recommends changes.
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, adopt Alternative 1: Council approves the five-year strategic local plan modification for program year 2005-06.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director
Department of Employment Development
Prepared by: Jeanette Langdell
Employment Training Manager
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager