That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Third Amendment to the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Agreement for Youth Program Services with the County of Orange for grant funding in the amount of $3,105,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027. 

The City operates and provides the overall programming and supervision of the Orange County "Ready S.E.T. OC" Program (Program), funded through the Orange County Workforce Development Board's Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. The Program's contract goal is to enroll 736 new youth and young adults into the Program and provide quality services that include career exploration and guidance, continued support for educational attainment, and opportunities to develop and improve skills within in-demand industries and occupations, all culminating with employment along a career pathway or enrollment in post-secondary education. 

The City has been successful in enrolling young people during this Program Year and has increased the number of participants who are interested in Work Experience and Individual Training programs, such as training for Certified Nursing Assistants, welding apprentices, and other fields, which has increased Program costs by more than $100,000 to reimburse the training, classes and equipment costs for these programs. 

Staff recommends that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Third Amendment to the WIOA Agreement for the Ready S.E.T. OC Program, which would allow the City to continue managing and overseeing this program in FY 26/27.

If approved by the City Council, the City will receive $3,105,000 in grant funding to operate the Ready S.E.T. OC Program in FY 2026 - 2027. All costs associated with the operation of the program will be covered by the grant, and will be included in the proposed FY 26/27 municipal budget for the City Council's review and approval. The approval of this agreement will have no impact on the City's General Fund.