REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SUMEET MALHI, Director
Personnel Services Department
BY: SUSAN CHUDY, Program Administrator
Personnel Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the California Volunteers Youth Service Corps Program Grant
1. Accept the California Volunteers Youth Service Corps Program Grant and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all grant related documents.
2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 18th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2024-122 appropriating $1,080,902.56 for the OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the California Volunteers Youth Service Corps Program grant for the OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program (Program), adopt the 18th amendment to the AAR No.2024-122 appropriating $1,080,902.56 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all related documents to the administration, modification, monitoring and closeout of the agreement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program was notified on September 12, 2024 of an award of $1,080,902.56 in additional grant funding to supplement the $7.4 million award received in February 2022.
BACKGROUND
The OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program was launched in February 2022 with $7.4 million awarded by California Volunteers and the State of California. The program’s goals included identifying the highest need youth for employment opportunities, providing training and wrap-around services and positioning them on a career pathway for future City or outside organization employment. This program has reached and exceeded the goals stated in the original application. 101 Participants were to be hired according to the application; as of September 22, 2024, 325 Participants have been involved in the Program. These participants have worked a total of 325,898 hours in service to the City. Of these Participants, 96% of them met two or more of the criteria determined by California Volunteers: 71% have had difficulty finding employment, 61% identify as low income, 58% were unemployed or out of school, 20% have experienced mental health issues and/or substance abuse, 17% are justice system impacted, and 12% are in the foster care system. The City of Fresno has hired 20 of the Participants as permanent employees and 14 Participants have found employment at outside agencies and companies.
On April 9, 2024, California Volunteers released an competitive RFA for $1,080,902.56 in additional funding available to existing Youth Workforce Development Program grantees that are cities with a population of greater than 300,000 residents. Previous grant awardees were eligible to apply for this funding to supplement their current grant programs. The OneFresno Youth Jobs Corps Program submitted an application for the full amount available and was notified of the award on September 12, 2024.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a “project” and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered based upon conditions of State funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Youth Jobs Corps Program is fully funded through grant awards from the California Volunteers through the State of California Governor’s Office. Funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis.
Attachments:
Grant agreement
AAR