REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 25, 2025
FROM
BRADLEY GATES, Director, Workforce Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Application to the California Workforce Development Board for Designation and Recertification Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of an application to the California Workforce Development Board for the designation of the San Bernardino County Local Workforce Development Area and recertification of the Local Workforce Development Board under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for a two-year period, effective Program Years 2025-27, July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
(Presenter: Bradley Gates, Director, 387-9862)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funds (Net County Cost), but will allow San Bernardino County (County) to continue receiving Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) revenues for a two-year period. Any future WIOA revenues will be included in the Workforce Development Department’s (WDD) 2025-26 recommended budget and future recommended budgets, as needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
WIOA requires the Governor to designate Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDA) for the State and to certify one local Workforce Development Board (WDB) for each LWDA in the State every two years. The purpose of this item is to approve an application for the County to continue as an LWDA and to certify the WDB meets the requirements of the WIOA.
Designation of the County LWDA and the recertification of the WDB will allow the County to continue providing job-driven workforce services to county residents and businesses from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
On March 17, 2015 (Item No. 55), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the initial application for authorization of the LWDA designation and WDB certification under WIOA. On June 23, 2015, the Governor approved the County’s application, designating the County as a LWDA and initially certified the County WDB.
On August 25, 2015 (Item No. 59), the Board approved the County WDB member recruitment and appointment process, establishing the County WDB as a 19-member board with representation from the categories outlined in WIOA. On December 15, 2015 (Item No. 77), the Board approved the appointment of the 19 County WDB members, effective January 1, 2016. Members are appointed and/or reappointed to the County WDB every two years.
On March 22, 2016 (Item No. 82), the Board approved the County WDB’s application for Local Board recertification for Program Years (PYs) 2016-18, July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018. The Governor approved the request for recertification. On December 20, 2016 (Item No. 90), the Board authorized the modification of the local area to include the City of San Bernardino in the County LWDA, which was subsequently approved by the Governor.
During the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, the Governor, the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), and the Employment Development Department (EDD) started a new process for Local Area Designation and Local Board Recertification, which required current approved boards to resubmit for new approvals for the PY 2019-21 of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
On June 11, 2019 (Item No. 85), the Board approved the WDB’s application for LWDA designation and Local Board recertification for PYs 2019-21, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. The Governor approved the designation and recertification.
On March 9, 2021 (Item No. 45), the Board approved the WDB’s application for LWDA designation and Local Board recertification for PYs 2021-23, July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. The Governor approved the designation and recertification.
On May 9, 2023 (Item No.57), the Board approved the WDB’s application for LWDA designation and Local Board recertification for PYs 2023-25, July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The Governor approved the designation and recertification.
On January 16, 2025, the (EDD) released a directive regarding LWDA designation and recertification of Local Boards. As part of the new directive, CWDB and EDD will recommend the approval for designation and recertification of the LWDA and WDB to the Governor, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The Governor shall approve the request if the LWDA has met the criteria for PYs 2023-25, which include compliance with WDB membership provisions of WIOA; sustained fiscal integrity; successful performance; and engagement in a regional planning process.
The County WDB meets the membership provisions of WIOA with a fully compliant board composition and application process. The WDB also maintains fiscal integrity, meets all required performance measures, and actively engages in the regional planning process with Riverside County WDB. On July 31, 2023, the WDB received notice from the CWDB it was designated as a High Performance Board for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.
To be considered a High Performing Board, the local board must have performed successfully; have approved Regional and Local Plans; met WIOA Training Expenditure Requirements; met WIOA Youth Funding Requirements; and have a detailed Business Services Plan. High Performing Boards are also eligible to receive incentive funds from the Governor.
Approval of this item will allow the County to submit an application to remain a LWDA and continue providing vital workforce development services to residents and businesses.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Sophie A. Curtis, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 12, 2025; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on February 10, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 10, 2025.