REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Application for Subsequent Local Area Designation and Local Workforce Board Recertification for NOVA Workforce Development Area
Report
BACKGROUND
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 stipulates the criteria for Local Workforce Area designation and Local Workforce Board certification. With the transition from the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to WIOA in 2015, WIOA required that Local Areas apply for initial Local Area designation demonstrating that the area performed successfully and sustained fiscal integrity defined as not found to be in violation of significant findings from audits and other reviews, gross negligence and failure to observe accepted standards of administration. Then, following a period after the Local Area is initially designated, WIOA requires that areas apply for subsequent designation demonstrating that the Local Area performed successfully; sustained fiscal integrity; provided assurances of compliance with WIOA requirements and other federal and state laws, regulations and guidance; and engaged in a regional planning process. The Governor approves initial and subsequent Local Area designations.
WIOA also requires that Local Workforce Boards apply for initial certification and recertification, demonstrating compliance with WIOA membership requirements, met or exceeded WIOA performance accountability measures, and has achieved sustained fiscal integrity. Membership requirements include: majority of members represent business; 20 percent represent the workforce targeting the needs of individuals with barriers to employment, Labor/management apprenticeships and organized labor; and there is representation from adult and higher education and economic and community development that includes the State employment service and rehabilitation programs. The Governor also approves Local Workforce Board certifications.
California Workforce Services Directive WSD14-10 specified the requirements for initial Local Area designation and initial Local Workforce Board certification under WIOA. On February 10 and 24, 2015 (RTC No.15-0136, RTC No.15-0182 ), the Council approved the certification of the NOVA Local Workforce Board and a modified initial designation of the NOVA Workforce Area to add San Mateo County to the now eight-jurisdiction consortium, which comprises the cities of Cupertino, Los Altos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, and the County of San Mateo. The Governor approved the modified initial designation of the NOVA Workforce Area in 2015 and initial certification of the NOVA Local Workforce Board in 2015 and recertification in 2016.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 5.1.1: Socio-Economic - Goals and Policies: Education and Training Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services, within constraints of operative Federal regulations and available Federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
California Workforce Services Draft Directive WSDD-196 requires that Local Areas must apply for Local Area subsequent designation and Local Workforce Board recertification by May 31, 2019. The subsequent Local Area designation and recertification of Local Workforce Boards will be effective July 1, 2019, for a two-year period ending June 30, 2021.
The application titled, Existing Local Area: Subsequent Local Area Designation and Local Board Recertification Program Year 2019-21 for the NOVA Workforce Development Area, has been attached to this report for review. There are no proposed changes to the current eight-jurisdiction NOVA Workforce Area. In addition, the NOVA Workforce Area has satisfied all requirements for subsequent designation. It has performed successfully by negotiating its performance goals as part of a region; sustained fiscal integrity through successful fiscal monitoring reports with no findings; adhered to “Local Area Assurances” described in the application by complying with all WIOA requirements and federal and state laws, regulations and guidance; and engaged in regional planning processes, including a leadership role on behalf of the four Local Workforce Boards (i.e., San Francisco, NOVA, San Jose-based work2future and San Benito County) that comprise the Bay-Peninsula workforce region, participated in the development of a regional plan and regional plan modifications, partnered on the development of regional sector-based initiatives targeting tech apprenticeships and business engagement activities with the healthcare industry, and contributed to regular meetings with other Workforce Board directors in the region to create a cohesive regional service-delivery system.
As stipulated in WIOA, the Council, serving as the Chief Elected Official for the NOVA consortium, appoints all members to the NOVA Local Workforce Board. The NOVA Local Workforce Board satisfies all requirements for WIOA Board recertification. It has exceeded most of WIOA performance accountability measures, achieved sustained fiscal integrity, and is in compliance with all mandated WIOA membership categories that include those who achieved 55 percent representation from business (minimum 51 percent required) and 24 percent representation from the workforce (minimum 20 percent required.)
The NOVA Local Workforce Board approved the application for subsequent Local Area designation and Board recertification for the NOVA Workforce Area at its March 27, 2019, Board meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve application for subsequent Local Area designation and Local Workforce Board recertification for NOVA Workforce Development Area.
Staff
Prepared by: Eileen Stanly, Analyst, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Kris Stadelman, Director, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Existing Local Area: Application for Subsequent Local Area Designation and Local Board Recertification Program Year 2019-21 for NOVA Workforce Development Area