To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: WFS - Contract #20-579-1 Humanity Way, Inc.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Humanity Way Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,144,505 to provide entry-level job services to participants in the Subsidized Temporary Experience with Pay for the Under-Employed Program (STEP-UP) for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$1,144,505: 100% Federal Funds; (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Single Allocation), all of which will be budgeted in FY 2025-26. CFDA #93.558
BACKGROUND:
In April 2024, the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) 1210 for STEP-UP for CalWORKs. Humanity Way Inc., the sole bidder, was awarded to provide the service for this program. On July 23, 2024, the Board approved item C.31 authorizing a contract with Humanity Way Inc. for a term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. This action seeks to renew the prior approved contract for a new term July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, to provide STEP-UP work experience services.
The objective of the program, known as STEP-UP (Subsidized Temporary Experience with Pay for the Under Employed Program), is to provide entry-level work experience to designated CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WTW) participants who are not meeting their WTW participation requirements by immediately placing them into short-term worksite assignments up to 180 days. The goal of STEP-UP, when coupled with other necessary WTW activities and services, is to immediately engage participants by providing exposure to work and basic job skills and ultimately leading to a participant’s successful, long-term permanent job placement.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The services provided under this contract support three of five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes: (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stabel and Nurturing”; and (5)"Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families” by providing training and employment opportunities.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Contra Costa County will not be able to provide the federally mandated STEP-UP Program of CalWORKs thereby adversely impacting EHSD’s ability to provide an effective Welfare-to-Work activity and to meet the federally required Work Participation Rate (WPR).