Approve first amendment to Agreement No. 22-36 (WIOA Reference No. SE 22-6) with Empower Yolo, Inc. to add funding in the amount of $28,500 for a new contract maximum of $78,000, for the period of February 22, 2022 through June 30, 2024 for the provision of subsidized employment services. (No general fund impact) (Sullivan)

Approve first amendment to Agreement No. 22-36 (WIOA Reference No. SE 22-6) with Empower Yolo, Inc. to add funding in the amount of $28,500 for a new contract maximum of $78,000, for the period of February 22, 2022 through June 30, 2024 for the provision of subsidized employment services.

Subsidized employment provides employers with financial support for hiring CalWORKs clients in the Welfare-to-Work (WTW) program, with the goal of transferring the client to unsubsidized employment.  Subsidized Employment is a critical component of the CalWORKs Program, in particular for assisting in meeting the WTW program requirements.  Non-profit, private and public agencies contract with Yolo County to provide subsidized employment opportunities to our CalWORKs clients.  These agencies act as the employer of record to provide work experience and training to our clients.  Upon presentation of a properly documented claim, Yolo County reimburses the agency 100 percent of the wages and up to 10 percent administrative costs associated with the placements. 
Under the Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) Program created under AB 74, eligible CalWORKs clients are placed for a maximum of six months, unless the County determines the client meets the requirements for an extension.  Extensions may be granted no more than twice, in three month increments.  Extensions may be granted if the additional time will increase the likelihood of either the client obtaining unsubsidized employment with the agency, or the client obtaining specific skills and experiences relevant for unsubsidized employment in a particular field.  Placements are not to exceed a maximum of 12 months.
Approving this amendment to add funding for fiscal year 2023-24 will allow the ability for CalWOKs clients to continue to get vital work experience to move towards self-sufficiency.

Performance Measures included in this Agreement are as follows:
Performance Measures are not associated with this Agreement.

County Counsel has approved this Amendment as to form.
General Services Department, Procurement Division

These services were procured via a press release in order to solicit interested parties. Empower Yolo, Inc. responded to the press release.

The Department confirms Empower Yolo has performed satisfactorily on the current agreement.