REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 14, 2023
FROM
BRADLEY GATES, Director, Workforce Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act San Bernardino County Local Plan and Inland Empire Regional Plan 2 Year Modification for Program Years 2021-2024
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program Year 2021-2024 San Bernardino County Local Plan 2 Year Modification to the California Workforce Development Board.
2. Approve and authorize the submission of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program Year 2021-2024 Inland Empire Regional Plan 2 Year Modification to the California Workforce Development Board.
3. Authorize the Director of the Workforce Development Department to modify the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program Year 2021-2024 San Bernardino County Local Plan and Inland Empire Regional Plan 2 Year Modification as necessary to ensure compliance and adhere to direction from the California Workforce Development Board prior to implementation for Program Year 2023, subject to review by County Counsel.
(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 Funding (Net County Cost) as funding is fully provided through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Sufficient appropriation and revenue will be included in the Workforce Development Department’s (WDD) 2023-24 recommended budget and future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
WIOA requires Local Workforce Development Boards to submit modifications for multi-year Local Plans for services in Workforce Development Areas (Local Area) and Regional Plans for Regional Planning Units to define strategies for workforce development that are responsive to the training needs of businesses, job seekers, and employees. The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board’s (WDB) Program Years 2021 - 2024 Local and Regional Plan Modifications are due March 31, 2023, to the California Workforce Development Board.
On April 20, 2021 (Item No. 55), the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the WIOA Local and Regional Plans for Program Years 2021-2024. WIOA requires Regional Plans and partnerships to function under the California Workforce Development Board’s State Plan as the primary mechanism for aligning educational and training provider services with regional industry sector needs in California’s WIOA Regional Planning Units. The Inland Empire Regional Planning Unit (IERPU) includes the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board and the Riverside County Workforce Development Board. With the development of the Regional and Local Plans, key stakeholders and customers representing education, labor, economic development, community-based organizations, as well as customers including job seekers, youth, and businesses across the region, were included to provide input and participate in the assessment of current workforce development programs.
While the Regional Plan outlines the implementation of the workforce development system at the regional level, the Local Plan describes the workforce system in San Bernardino County (County) and how to achieve the WDB’s vision of transforming lives and strengthening business. Modifications to the current plans include the addition of new priority sectors, including, a shared industry sector of Government and Education in the Regional Plan and Mining in the Local Plan. Additional modifications include an updated labor market and economic analysis, an update of current plan goals, and strategies for ensuring all residents, especially underrepresented populations, are able to obtain a high-quality job.
Consistent with the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) requirements, the Local and Regional Plans were made available for public review and comment for a 30-day period beginning January 23, 2023, through February 21, 2023. A public notice on how to access the plans for review and comments was posted on the WDB’s website and social media platforms and web blasts were sent to stakeholders across the region announcing the availability of the plans and a link to provide comments/feedback. No public comments were received within the 30-day period.
Once the Regional and Local Plans Modification have been submitted, the State will send a letter by July 1, 2023, advising of approval or requested revisions. In order to promptly respond to the State, Recommendation No. 3 requests the Board to authorize the Director of WDD to make revisions, subject to County Counsel review, prior to implementation of the plans.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Sophie A. Curtis, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 23, 2023; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on February 24, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 27, 2023.