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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06232009 - C.40RECOMMENDATION(S): ADOPT Resolution No. 2009/310 to establish the classifications and compensation of Title V Trainee and WEX Trainee in the Employment and Human Services Department. FISCAL IMPACT: Federal funding covers 100% of the cost of the salary and related benefits. BACKGROUND: Many federal programs recognize that some individuals have little or no experience in the workforce. As a training modality many of these programs allow work experience, some paid and some unpaid. Also, dependent upon the program, this work experience opportunity may be a placement with public, private, or private non-profit organizations and may vary in duration. In all cases, the goal of the placement is to enhance basic work skills and to instill good work habits, often referred to as "soft skills." For some individuals, this affords an opportunity to sharpen existing skills. For others it is an introduction to new skills. In all cases, it builds confidence APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 06/23/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS Contact: Dorothy Sansoe, 335-1009 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: June 23, 2009 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: , Deputy cc: Elaine Burres, Linda Chandler, Bob Campbell, Marie Rulloda, Tanya Stulken, Dorothy Sansoe C. 40 To:Board of Supervisors From:David Twa, County Administrator Date:June 23, 2009 Contra Costa County Subject:Resolution on Classifications, Pay and Benefits for Worker Trainees BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) and valuable connections to the work world that enable that individual to more effectively seek and obtain employment. Contra Costa County currently provides three of these programs through the Workforce Development Board: 1. Under the Workforce Investment Act, training is for a planned period of time with structured learning in the workplace. It may be paid or unpaid as appropriate and may be in the private for profit, non profit or public sector. At present there are 13 individuals in this training mode. 2. Summer youth employment under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), was recently merged into a year-round youth program. However, the recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes summer employment. Directives indicate that a significant amount of the WIA youth funding available through ARRA should be expended on summer youth employment for the summer of 2009 (roughly between May 2009-Sept 2009). We are anticipating as many youth as 1000 could be enrolled in this program in the next few months. Community organizations are acting as the “employer of record” for these youth under contract with the Workforce Development Board. 3. Under the Older American's Act, the Title V program is based almost exclusively on the use of paid work experience. Individuals meeting income guidelines (125% below poverty), and who are over 55, are placed in private non-profit or public sector "host agencies" where they learn workplace skills and work habits. The goal of this program is that, over time, individuals will be employed by these agencies or will find employment with their acquired skills. Presently there are 89 individuals in this program, and with an increased in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARR) there will be a significant increase in the number of participants in the immediate future. Currently, trainees under #1 and #3 above are hired by the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) as a County employee in the EHSD Worker Trainee – Project classification. EHSD acts as the fiscal agent and employer of record. Risk Management advises that worker’s compensation insurance for these individuals should not be part of the County pool, but provided under a separate policy. Federal rules exempt the payment of unemployment and State disability insurance for these trainees and the funding sources do not reimburse the County for these costs. By creating this proposed new classification, the County will be able to cover the trainees by a workers compensation insurance policy that is outside of the County pool and unemployment insurance payments will not be made, as allowed for under Federal rules, saving program funds and allowing for increased program services. ATTACHMENTS Resolution No. 2009/310