COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

August 28, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 9, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Glen H. Brooks, Jr., Director, Central Region

SUBJECT:

Acceptance of funding from the 25% Governor's Discretionary Funds from the Employment Development Department for the Bay ABC project

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution:.

1.

Accepting 25% Governor's Discretionary Funds on behalf of the Workforce Investment Board from the Employment Development Department in the amount of $940,000. This Grant is also known as the Bay ABC grant award; and

2.

Authorizing the Human Services Agency Director to execute Agreements with subcontractors named in the Grant. The subcontractors named are: San Mateo Community College District (Skyline College), Genentech, Workforce Strategy Center and San Mateo Central Labor Council.

Background

The San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board has worked with Skyline College, Workforce Strategy Center and Genentech to develop a training program to train dislocated workers for the careers in high growth industries such as health care and life sciences. This project known as the Bay ABC project, was initially designed to assist dislocated workers from the Airline Industry with special emphasis on dislocated airport screeners. This project will not be restricted to San Mateo County Residents but will also service the Bay Area and southern California.

Discussion

The Bay ABC project will prepare dislocated workers for careers in the bioscience and life sciences industries by providing core and intensive services, training, follow-up, paid work experience and internships with private employers. The funding from this grant will allow for 100 students to be trained and go on to fully subsidized internships. San Mateo County will partner with other employers and community colleges to replicate this curriculum throughout the Bay Area.

Vision Alignment

The Bay ABC grant keeps the commitment of: Creating opportunities for every household to participate in our prosperity and goal number 17: All households experience real gains in income. This grant contributes to this commitment and goal by providing opportunities for dislocated workers to train in new careers and become self-sufficient.

Fiscal Impact

The total grant is $940,000 and is distributed in two increments. The first increment for Phase One, has been awarded and is in the amount of $397,100. The second increment of $542,900 will be awarded on or about September 1, 2003, based on milestones achieved. Planned expenditures for the grant equal the amount of the grant. Hence, there is no Net County Cost. The appropriation is included in the FY 2003-04 Tentative Adopted Budget.