COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

April 27, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 9, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING

None

VOTE REQUIRED

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Glen H. Brooks Jr., Interim Director, Human Services Agency

Madelyn Martin, Director, Community Prevention and Early Intervention, Southern Region

SUBJECT:

Agreement with The Multicultural Institute for the Day Worker Program

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing:

A.

The execution of an Agreement with The Multicultural Institute for the operation of the Day Worker Program, in the amount of $288,000 for the term of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008.

B.

The Director of the Human Services Agency to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications not to exceed an aggregate of $25,000 and to make minor changes in the types of services and activities provided under the Agreement.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Realize the potential of our diverse population and Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal Number (s): 1 and 8; Our diverse population works well together to build strong communities, effective government and a prosperous economy; Help vulnerable people-the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others-achieve a better quality of life.

This Agreement contributes to this commitment and goals by addressing the public safety and economic concerns of the community and increases self-sufficiency in the community.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Measure

FY 2006-07
Projected

FY 2007-08

Projected

Match rate of day laborers to employers

30%

35%

Number of employers engaged or supportive of Day Worker Program

75

100

BACKGROUND:

There has been considerable concern expressed by members of the Redwood City community, both commercial and residential, regarding the informal congregation of day workers seeking employment. Concerns have included public safety issues, as well as economic concerns. The County has been actively working towards a resolution of these concerns. Under a County agreement, El Concilio has operated a Day Worker Center in the North Fair Oaks unincorporated area of Redwood City for a pilot period of time. In March 2006, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was completed, and The Multicultural Institute was chosen as the Contractor to continue this work based on its experience and the past success of its positive, innovative approaches in other communities. The RFP Matrix is attached.

DISCUSSION:

This Agreement with The Multicultural Institute is for the operation of the Day Worker Program to provide matching services for employers seeking day laborers and for workers seeking day labor employment. The Contractor will provide street-based outreach to day laborers and employers, as well as increase communications and improve public relations. In addition, the Day Worker Program will focus on connecting day laborers to existing training opportunities and social services. The hours of operations will be 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If necessary, this will be revised to reflect the times of heaviest site use. A designated cell phone will be available beyond regular office hours and an internet form will be available channeling employer requests via email.

Since The Multicultural Institute will be conducting street-based outreach, the Contractor does not need a site for this operation at this time. Contractor will work with the County and local businesses to designate multiple pick-up sites, clearly identified as loading zones, where employers can safely pull over, and where day-laborer presence would least inconvenience businesses, residents, shoppers, and traffic flow. The Program’s job-placement component would have three goals: first, to redirect existing hiring to safe loading zones; second, to encourage regular employers to call program staff instead of coming to the site, so that workers may be dispatched or meet employers away from the existing hiring site; and third, to develop new job opportunities (temporary and long term) where day laborers report directly to employers instead of coming to the hiring site. The Agreement includes $24,000 annually for program sites and that amount will be used to obtain partial use of some existing sites or parking lots as necessary to successfully run the program. Contractor has contacted Father Garcia at Saint Anthony’s, Chavez Market, El Rincon Tarasco, and one of the owners of the vacant Bank of America building on Fifth Avenue, and has received positive feedback and indication of willingness to participate and possibly collaborate in this effort. Contractor will, however, need use of a County facility in Redwood City for their administrative work. This will be made available through Peninsula Works Redwood City.

The Agreement includes all provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination, equal benefits and jury service policy.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This Agreement with The Multicultural Institute is in amount of $288,000 for the term of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008. An annual appropriation of $144,000 will be included in the Recommended Budgets for FY 2006-07 and FY 2007-08. Net County Cost is $144,000 per year; alternative sources to provide at least partial funding for this contract are currently being reviewed, although nothing definitive has been identified at this time.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS MATRIX

1. General Description of RFP

The purpose of this RFP was to solicit proposals to deliver services that address the safety needs and concerns of day workers and neighborhood/area constituents through the facilitation of employment and training opportunities in the North Fair Oaks Community of Redwood City.

2. List of key evaluation criteria

Philosophy and Values

There is a clear commitment to support and address the safety needs and concerns of day workers and neighborhood/area constituents.

Applicant’s Experience

a. Experience providing a Day Worker Program.

b. Capability and experience of key personnel.

Program Description

a. There is a clear understanding of the scope of services to be provided.

b. There is sufficient staffing proposed to provide the services.

c. Training and supervision is sufficient to provide services.

Organizational Capacity

a. History of successfully providing similar services.

b. History of successfully managing other contracts with public or private agencies.

c. Evidence of satisfactory accounting and record-keeping.

Financial Narrative

a. Budget

3. Where was it advertised?

San Mateo County Times

4. In addition to any advertisement, list others to whom RFP was sent

Twenty one (21) other organizations that provide services to the Hispanic population

5. Total number sent to prospective proposers

25

6. Number of proposals received

3

7. Who evaluated the proposals?

A Representative from the Chamber of Commerce

A Representative from the Sherrif’s Office

Executive Director of Fair Oaks Community Center

H.S.A Manager of Shelter and Substance Abuse

A Representative from Samaritan House

8. In alphabetical order, names of proposers (or finalists, if applicable) and location

• Center for Training and Careers, San Jose, CA

• El Concilio of San Mateo County, Burlingame, CA

• The Multicultural Institute, Berkeley, CA