August 23, 2005
SUBJECT: Authorization for NOVA to Submit Letter of Intent to Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative for Health Care Workforce Development Funding not to Exceed $900,000
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaboration is anticipating its second grant cycle in the health care and life science sectors. It seeks Letters of Intent from workforce development programs to improve the job skills and career advancement potential of low-income and disadvantaged Bay Area residents, while also addressing the staffing needs of employers in industries vital to the regional economy.
Staff recommends that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the seven-city NOVA consortium, concurs with the NOVA Workforce Board and authorize NOVA’s submission of a Letter of Intent to apply for up to $900,000 of Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative Grant funds.
BACKGROUND
The Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative is a public/private financing mechanism designed to invest in sectoral efforts across ten Bay Area counties. The Collaborative was established in 2003 to leverage increased financing from public and private sources for workforce development, to finance the services most needed by Bay Area employers in a demand-driven system, to stimulate regional planning and cooperation among workforce boards, nonprofit employment training providers, community colleges, labor, and other players in the region, and to increase the skills of low-income residents, immigrants, dislocated workers, and others for vital industry sectors in which they can gain family-sustaining jobs. Last year the Collaborative was able to fund 12 projects totaling $3.4 million. NOVA was fortunate to receive funding for $318,700 to support a health care navigator, additional health care prerequisite classes, and the development of a business plan for the Allied Health Training Institute (see RTC 04-390, November 9, 2004, for further description).
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 Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative seeks letters of intent for two types of grants: Workforce Partnership grants and Innovation grants. The Collaborative’s Workforce Partnership grants are designed to support and enhance education, training, and job placement for potential and current workers in the health care and life science sectors. Workforce Partnership projects must target very low-income or disadvantaged adults, including youth age 18-24, and be designed to advance these individuals toward economic self-sufficiency. Projects must be developed and implemented with area employers and other partners working closely to develop innovative solutions to regional workforce needs in the health care or life science sectors.
NOVA seeks authority to submit a letter of intent for a proposal to pilot a class of 30 individuals to become registered nurses. Classes would be held at the Allied Health Training Institute, centrally located on the NASA campus, or at local community colleges. These individuals would begin training in the summer of 2006 and follow an accelerated course resulting in graduation in 18 months. The class would be open to a disadvantaged population, with a focus on welfare recipients and former foster youth. Intensive case management and support would be a part of the project. The estimated cost is up to $700,000. Area hospitals would commit to contributing in-kind resources to provide the necessary clinical supervision of the students.
The Collaborative envisions dedicating a portion of its resources to Innovation grants. These smaller grants are designed to fund research, planning, support, and/or advocacy efforts. NOVA is currently exploring potential grant areas with the community colleges. Possibilities include: 1) a project on how to better use distance learning, including developing and testing curriculum; and 2) a project relative to modifying existing curriculum to make better use of the simulation environment—how instructors can teach to this and how to exploit the opportunities provided by simulation technology. For any Innovation project, there would need to be a tie-in to the requirement to serve disadvantaged populations.
The NOVA Workforce Board Executive Committee has approved the submission of a letter of intent to the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact to the City because funds received will offset program expenditures.
CONCLUSION
The Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative has announced a second grant cycle focusing on workforce development projects in the health care and life science sectors targeting disadvantaged individuals. NOVA seeks authority to submit a letter of intent to apply for up to $900,000 to pilot an accelerated registered nurses training program and to develop small Innovation grant projects focusing building capacity in health care training.
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 submission of a Letter of Intent to the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative to apply for health care workforce development funding not to exceed $900,000.
2. Council rejects submission of the proposal to the BAWFC.
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 submission of a Letter of Intent to the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative to apply for health care workforce development funding not to exceed $900,000.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director
Department of Employment Development
Prepared by: Jeanette Langdell
Employment Training Manager
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager