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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02231999 - SD3 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator COSTA Ron Wetter, Chair, Private Industry Council COUNTY John Cullen, Social Service Director co DATE: February 23, 1999 SUBJECT: Consolidation of Workforce Development in Contra Costa County SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION(SI: 1 APPROVE consolidation of the County's workforce services for job seekers, incumbent employees and employers now split between JTPA/DOL and CalWORKs with the creation of a single County position responsible for both. The new Workforce Services Director (working title) would be responsible for all employment and training services currently under the responsibility of the County PIC and Social Service Department. 2. APPROVE consolidation of the County's workforce development systems planning and policy development responsibilities now split between JTPA/DOL and CalWORKs with the creation of a single County position responsible for both. The new WIB Executive Director would be responsible for workforce system planning and policy for both JTPAIDOL and CalWORKs, the One Stop Career Center certification and economic strategic planning as well as staffing the new Workforce Investment Board (WIB). 3. APPROVE the consolidation of the County Private Industry Council and Social Service Department with the creation of a new department, the Employment and Human Services Department; retitle the position of Social Service Director to Employment and Human Services Director CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR—RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE —APPROVE —OTHER SIGNATURE(S), ACTIONOFBOARDON Fe6ruary 23. 709 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED_U OTHER Upesi Mtambuzi, City of Richmond, 330 25th Street, Richmond, commented on the above matter; Following testimony and Board discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED the Recommendations as set forth above are APPROVED. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A XX UNANIMOUS(ABSENT - - - - - - TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ABSENT: ABSTAIN, ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact.Sara Hoffman,336-1090 CC. CAO ATTESTED February 23, 1999 John Cu1W,Social Service PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF Art Minor,PIC THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Ron weder,PIC ANDPOUNTY ADM IMSTRATOR Upese Mtombuzi,Richmond PIC Isaiah Tumor,Cfty of Richmond BY - --,DEPUTY 4. APPROVE consolidation of Workforce system development policy oversight responsibility for both CalWORKs and the County's JTPAJDOL under the new County Workforce Investment Board. 5. To ensure a smooth transition to the new County WIB and Employment and Duman Services Department, DIRECT the County Administrator to expedite hiring the two new directors' positions, establish an education program for the County's current JTPAIDQL and CalWORKs clients and establish a Workforce Development Transition Committee to address transitional issues. S. RECOGNIZE that the goal of increased efficiency and effectiveness for the workforce development system would be further enhanced with the merger of the Richmond City Private Industry Council and the new County WIB, provided, however, that this merger does not adversely affect funding allocations. 7. URGE the governor and legislature to use their 30% set-aside authority under the Workforce Investment Act or other powers to ensure that WIBs which merge are held harmless financially and to further provide incentives for such mergers that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the workforce development system. 3. AUTHORIZE and DIRECT the Employment and Human Services Director and County Administrator to work with the City of Richmond and Richmond CityPIC to further explore organizational options that would ensure that the County as a whole maximizes its funding allocations under the Workforce Investment Act. BACKGROUND/REASON(S) FOR RECOMMENDATION(S): At its February 2, 1999, the Board of Supervisors reviewed a report from the County Administrator, Private Industry Council Chair and Social Service Director on the future of workforce development in Contra Costa County. The report provided an overview of the driving forces of change in workforce development, including CalWORKs and the Workforce Investment Act as well as the findings and conclusions of an ad hoc committee established to investigate ways to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of workforce development in Contra Costa County. The report concluded that this objective could best be achieved by integrating the County's service delivery,"strategic planning and policy oversight functions for both CalWORKs and JTPAIDOL. In addition, Isaiah Turner, Richmond City Manager, addressed the Board on the options for the Richmond Private Industry Council, stating their desire to work closely in cooperation with the County in development of an integrated workforce development system for Centra Costa County. However, he cautioned that Richmond was concerned that a merger of the two PICS into a countywide WIB could adversely affect the funding allocation for the Richmond community, based on the funding formula within the Workforce Investment Act. He stated that any new organizational relationship between the two PICS should not adversely affect funding levels. In addition, it was recognized that the County has a fairly short window of time to put a new system in place, since the WIBs must be operational no latter than July `I, 2000. The Board of Supervisors accepted the report on the future of workforce development, including the amendment suggested by Supervisor Gioia that any new organizational relationship with the Richmond PIC be dependent upon continuance of the funding allocations and maximizes the effectiveness of the workforce development service delivery system. The Board also requested that the issue come back to them on February 23 with recommendations for the Board's consideration. The following recommendations are endorsed by the Private Industry Council Chair, Social Service Director and County Administrator with regard to changes in the County's organization. Recommendations regarding the Richmond Private Industry Council were developed in consultation with the Richmond Private Industry Council staff. APPROVE consolidation of the County's workforce services for job seekers, incumbent employees and employers now split between JTPAIDOL and CalWORKs with the creation of a single County position responsible for both. The new Workforce Services Director (working title) would be responsible for all employment and training services currently under the responsibility of the County PIC and Social Service Department. 2 CaIWORKs and the Workforce Investment Act have created increasing overlap between the service mandates of the County PIC and Social Service Department. Under CaIWORKs, PIC has new welfare-to-work responsibilities, while Social Service has new job retention responsibilities. Ander the Workforce Investment Act, the new WIB has a universal eligibility mandate with increased emphasis on public assistance recipients. Consequently, it makes sense to consolidate the County's workforcelemployment services. Operations can be streamlined to minimize duplication and overlap and resources can be used more efficiently. For example, the most appropriate funding source could be used when a client is eligible for multiple programs if intake eligibility was consolidated. The new`workforce Services Director(working title)would be responsible for all County operated and contracted services for job seekers, incumbent employee and employers, including job retention and support services. The new Workforce Services Director would also work closely with the many agencies with state and federally mandated responsibility for workforce services, developing partnerships and coordinated service strategies. The new Workforce Services Director would also work with the new WIB Executive Director to ensure consistency and continuity between policy development and program implementation. To ensure this close coordination, the new Workforce Services Director would report to the WIS on program outcomes and other issues, consistent with the '111fIB`s statutory responsibilities, and to the newly titled Employment and Duman Services Director for administrative oversight. The new exempt position under the Employment and Human Services Director would replace a portion of the current Assistant Social,Service Director- Income Maintenance/GAIN job duties. APPROVE consolidation of workforce development systems planning and policy development responsibilities now split between JTPAIDOL and CalWORKs with the creation of a single County positron responsible for bath. The new'88 1B Executive Director would be responsible for workforce system planning and policy for both JTPA/DOL and CallWO Ks,the One Stop Career Center certification and economic strategic planning as well as staffing the Workforce Investment Board. The Workforce Investment Act calls for the creation of a seamless workforce development system. Consolidating the CalWORKs and JTPAfDOL policy and planning functions would increase the County's ability to accomplish this federal mandate. The new WIB Executive Director would be responsible for workforce system planning and policy, the One Stop Career Center certification and economic strategic planning as well as staffing the Workforce Investment Board, The new Executive Director would also have responsibility for ensuring policy coordination, consistency and continuity among the many organizations with workforce responsibilities. Furthermore, the Executive Director would be responsible for linking workforce development with economic development and with workforce services. The WIB Executive Director would also provide staff support to the WIB on workforce and economic development policy matters, including the One Stop Career Center certification. The WIB Executive Director would be accountable to the WIB in accordance with its statutory oversight responsibilities and to the newly titled Employment and Human Services Director for administrative oversight. The new exempt position under the Employment and Human Services Director would replace the current position of PIC Executive Director. APPROVE the consolidation of the Private Industry Council and Social Service Department with the creation of a new department, the Employment and Human Services Departments retitle the position of Social Service Director to Employment and Human Services Director. CalWORKs and The Workforce Investment Act have changed the relationship between the County PIC and the Social Service Department, As previously discussed, the mandates of both CalWORKs and the Workforce Investment Act can be best achieved through consolidation of the County's services and systems planning efforts. This necessitates merging of the two departments. Merger would have the additional benefit of increased efficiencies of operation with the consolidation of support functions, such as human resources, staff development, fiscal/budget and information technology. It is recommended that the new consolidated department be titled "Employment and Human Services" and that the current position of Social Service director be retitled s6Director of Employment and Human Services." The new titles would clearly reflect the employment focus of the new department. The change in title from "Social Service" to "Human Services" is also consistent with terminology used at both the state and federal levels. The State health and Welfare Agency was recently renamed "Wealth and Human Services Agency." In addition, the retitling reflects the overall department reorganization to divide the Service Bureau into "Children and Family Services" and "Adult and Senior Services," consistent with the Fel 98-99 Recommended Budget. APPROVE consolidation of Workforce system development policy oversight responsibility for both CalW RKs and JTPAIDOL under the new Workforce investment Board. Under the Workforce Investment Act, the WIB is accountable to the Board of Supervisors in Contra Costa County as the local elected official." The Board may also designate the WIB to be the Board's advisory body on CaIWORKs. Consolidating policy oversight under the WIB would maximize consistency between CalWORKs and the new Workforce Investment Act, ensure compatible, complementary policies and program accountability and support leverage funding and efficient resource utilization. Consolidation would also help ensure that Contra Costa not only develops a workforce development system that meets federal and stag requirements, but also responds to local priorities and needs. Consolidation also increases local flexibility, since WIBs cannot both run programs and exercise policy oversight, as could the PICS. In addition, it would support existing efforts to strengthen regional strategies and alliances, such as East Bay Works, a workforce system partnership among private and public agencies in both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The attached organizational chart shows the proposed relationships among the County Board of Supervisors, the new WIB, the new Employment and Human Services Director, the new Workforce Services Director and the new WIB Executive Director. URGE the governor and legislature to use their 30% set-aside authority under the Workforce Investment Act or other powers to ensure that WIBs which merge are held harmless financially and to further provide incentives for such mergers that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the workforce development system. The Workforce Investment Act includes a funding formula for allocation of Department of Labor monies. This formula takes into account population, unemployment rates, poverty levels and other factors. The City of Richmond has a relatively high concentration of low income persons with a high unemployment rate, which is reflected in their allocation. This would be diluted if the Richmond PIC and County PIC merged into a single countywide WIB. As a consequence, it is anticipated that the funding allocation of a merged WIB would be less than it would be if the two WIBs remained separate. This allocation method serves as a disincentive to create the seamless workforce development system mandated under the Workforce Investment Act. The legislature and governor have the ability under the Workforce Investment Act to eliminate this disincentive to significantly improve integration of our workforce development programs. Under the Act, the governor has the ability to set aside 30% of California's overall allocation for redistribution. Authorizing legislation must be passed in order for hire to do so. It seems only fair and appropriate that no area of the state be disadvantaged because of efforts to integrate workforce development systems and thus increase efficiency and effectiveness. Instead, the governor and legislature should act to hold each area harmless financially and to further provide incentives for WIBs that take actions that further integrate the workforce development system. ` The Workforce Directors Association (WDA) is aware of the potential problem and is working with the state to advocate the hold harmless concept. The County and City of Richmond could similarly adopt this position and request that our legislative delegation support appropriate legislative action. AUTHORIZE and DIRECT the Employment and Human Services Director and County Administrator to work with the City of Richmond and Richmond City PIC to further explore organizational options that would ensure that the County as a whole maximizes its funding 4 allocations under the Workforce Investment Act. Regardless of the State's actions on funding equity under the Workforce Investment Act, new relationships between the County and City of Richmond could further the goals of system integration. Possibilities include contracts, interagency agreements, a joint powers authority as well as merger of the two WlBs. Each of these options need to be explored in depth to fully understand their ramifications, including financial impact. The goal of any new relationship between the Richmond PIC/WIB and County PIC/WIB would be to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall County workforce development system in order to best meet the needs of our job seekers, incumbent employees and employers as well as to further economic development within the County. 5 s � I j l g ' ow� e 46, 0.0 16* 5z� cloo C� { y _ 't � � � ka►.t C S � �� it M44 w �