Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio to operate an income support program to promote access to strong career pathways for underemployed individuals.
The mission of the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio is to partner with area businesses and organizations on workforce needs so that people are fully employed at their ability and potential in the thriving Central Ohio economy. The Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio has the connections, staff, and resources necessary to walk with participants through this program and set them up for success.
In 2022, the Workforce Development of Central Ohio (WDBCO) was awarded a $200,000 grant from Columbus City Council to operate a small pilot of an income support program. This program offered a temporary income replacement for underemployed individuals to participate in mid-term (10-20 week) training opportunities. These opportunities led to higher earning potential and career advancement pathways for all participants.
While final data is still pending as participants seek jobs and continue to report on their experiences, the WDBCO expects that the average immediate increase in wages for program participants will be 55%. Of the 25 participant in the 2022 pilot, 68% of participants identified as Black, and about a third of participants identified as White, Asian, Brown, or Somali-American. The majority of program participants did not have educational achievement beyond a High School Diploma or GED. Only one individual had achieved education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
With the grant authorized by this ordinance, the WDBCO will be able to expand the pilot program to a larger cohort and operate a more effective program given the lessons learned in 2022. The WDBCO plans to focus on training in the healthcare sector, where there is a high demand for qualified staff in Central Ohio. By working directly with potential employers to identify candidates for the program, the WDBCO ensures a high rate of job readiness and job placement for program participants.
The terms of this grant shall be from March 1, 2023 to September 1, 2024.
Emergency action is necessary to ensure timely funding to the WDBCO to proceed with the administration, planning, and execution of this program.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Job Growth subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio in support of their income support program; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Job Growth subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio has a vast network of partner employers and access to essential resources for workforce development for underemployed Central Ohio residents; and
WHEREAS, over a third of Columbus residents live at under 200% of the federal poverty level and frequently lack access to workforce development opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio is prepared to scale up a pilot program to provide income support to those pursuing new skills and credentials; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio in support of their continued operation of an income support program, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio in support of their income support program.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $400,000.00 in the Job Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $400,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Job Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for the reason stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.