May 30, 2006
SUBJECT: Authorization for Department of Employment Development (NOVA) to Accept Regional Cooperation Incentive Award in the Amount of $70,000
REPORT IN BRIEF
NOVA submitted an application to the California Workforce Investment Board and the Employment Development Department for a Regional Cooperation Incentive Award. The application was based on work performed to date with our neighboring workforce areas (San Jose and San Mateo) relative to the Silicon Valley Center for the Health Professions. NOVA has received an award of $70,000 (the maximum possible), which is to be used to further the recommendations of the American Leadership Forum–Silicon Valley. Staff recommends that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the seven NOVA consortium cities, concur with the decision of the NOVA Workforce Board and accept the Regional Cooperation incentive award in the amount of $70,000.
BACKGROUND
In December 2005, the California Workforce Investment Board (State Board) issued a request for applications for the Workforce Investment Act Regional Cooperation or Local Coordination incentive awards. Regional Cooperation awards are for regional cooperation among local boards. The incentive awards are for those efforts over and above the required Workforce Investment Act activities. The State Board approved criteria for focusing State discretionary funds where there is a maximum return on investment both in assisting job seekers to enter employment and to retrain existing workers in high-need and high wage sectors of the economy.
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 submitted a Regional Cooperation application on behalf of the NOVA Workforce Board, the Silicon Valley Workforce Investment Network, and the San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board. The application discussed work to date and planned for the Silicon Valley Center for the Health (SVCHP) Professions, which was founded to utilize the strengths of various community partners to help alleviate the current and continuing crisis within the regional healthcare workforce. Individuals representing the healthcare industry, public education, workforce development, and community foundations formed the SVCHP to identify the challenges in healthcare and to determine innovative strategies for resolving these concerns. No fewer than 20 organizations from throughout Silicon Valley now actively participate in this collaborative.
The current class of fellows of the American Leadership Forum (ALF)–Silicon Valley has chosen to focus on the current healthcare crisis for its class project. The group’s task will be to assess the significant steps that have been taken to improve the healthcare system regionally, and to convene a community dialogue to explore regional steps. The class will adopt the mission of the SVCHP and utilize its resources to identify strategies. Based on what is learned, the group’s recommendations will be presented to the ALF board in May, addressing how the ALF community can best serve the region on this issue. As no funding exists for implementing the strategies identified, the incentive award funding is intended for that purpose. A portion of the funds awarded may be subcontracted to other organizations such as community colleges or hospital groups to fund leadership from those organizations to assist with strategy implementation.
The NOVA Workforce Board, at its May 24 meeting, authorized the acceptance of the $70,000 Regional Cooperation Incentive Award.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact to the City because funds received will offset program expenditures.
CONCLUSION
NOVA submitted an application to the California Workforce Investment Board and the Employment Development Department for a Regional Cooperation Incentive Award. The application was based on work performed to date with our neighboring workforce areas (San Jose and San Mateo) relative to the Silicon Valley Center for the Health Professions. NOVA has received an award of $70,000, which will be used to implement the recommendations of the American Leadership Forum–Silicon Valley with regard to the development of the Silicon Valley Center for the Health Professions.
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 authorizes the acceptance of the Regional Cooperation Incentive Award from the State of California in the amount of $70,000.
2. Council does not authorize acceptance of the award.
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 and in concurrence with the NOVA Workforce Board, adopt Alternative 1: Council authorizes the acceptance of the Regional Cooperation Incentive Award from the State of California in the amount of $70,000.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director
Department of Employment Development
Prepared by:
Jeanette Langdell
Employment Training Manager
Approved by:
Amy Chan