Proposal for Emerging Opportunities Program Fall 2015

Transcription

1 1 Proposal for Emerging Opportunities Program Fall 2015 Submit application to Deadline: 12:00 pm (noon) on Monday, September 28, 2015 LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please limit your proposal and responses to the form and space provided. Any materials submitted in addition to this application form will not be considered in the evaluation of the proposal. Do not attempt to unlock or alter this form. If you need assistance with this proposal or are unclear about how to respond to any questions please contact CDD staff at Agency or Group: Title of Proposal: Contact Person: Employment & Training Association (EATA) Amount Requested: $25,000 Building Opportunities thru Occupational Skills Training (BOOST) Employment Jon Danforth Address: 1819 Aberg Ave. Madison, WI Telephone: Is this Group a 501 (C) (3)? Applicant Organization founded (Year): Name of Fiscal Agent (if Applicable): Fiscal Agent Contact Person: Project Description: ( Approx. 20 Words) jdanforth@eata.org Yes or No Yes 1966 N/A N/A If no, applicant will need to secure a fiscal agent with 501 (C) (3) status Customized skills training and employment opportunities for all barriered FoodShare recipients. 1. Emerging Need or Opportunity: (5000 characters) Please describe the emerging need or unanticipated opportunity that warrants City resources and attention at this time: Madison residents, especially the homeless, with employment barriers have a significant need for assistance in obtaining and maintaining employment. This is an on-going issue and the need to address this situation is critical for our community. In fact, at the March 16, 2015 Common Council Meeting, the Draft Economic Development Strategy Plan was presented and goal 2, bullet 4 states the need: Support workforce training programs linking potential workers to the needs of local companies. For example: BOOST worked with UW Hospital, as it was recruiting to staff the new American Center hospital, and developed trainings in the following areas: Sterile Processing Environmental Services Central Supply Services Culinary Service Medical Administrative Assistant

2 UW Hospital is interested in the development of more trainings and also in creating those career ladders from within to create upward mobility opportunities for its staff. It is this kind of forward thinking which will help address some of Alder Cheeks final comments from the March 16th meeting, about creating more opportunities for individuals of color to move out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. BOOST Madison s Employment could also have representation in the proposed Innovation Districts, to help meet entry level position needs. Although BOOST Madison s Employment received funding in the last Emerging Opportunity Program year, we were encouraged to write again for funding to maximize the $40,000 leveraged funds available to us through Dane County Department of Human Services FSET 50/50 match funding. Although engagement was slow to begin with, momentum grew and halfway through this program year EATA more than doubled the goal of 35 individuals to recruit into the program and worked with 84. The target for contacting local employers was 35 and we were approximately at the half way point meeting with 15, on target. EATA s BOOST Employment program was to place 20 individuals and halfway through the program year, EATA had placed 19. It was stated that in the future there would be a two year cycle of funding to apply for, however since that did not come to fruition, the Employment & Training Association was urged to apply again during this cycle of funding. Although there are many Madison area employers with entry level opportunities, these barriered individuals do not possess the basic soft skills, work skills or work history to match the employers' pressing needs. BOOST Madison's Employment will continue to focus on Building Opportunities thru Occupational Skills Trainings, which are identified by and created in cooperation with employers. In the City's 2013 employment plan, Madison's poverty rate was reduced significantly when at least one person had attained full time employment. The rate of poverty was almost ten times higher at 23.4 % for a household without full time employment as opposed to only 2.6% when full time employment was introduced into the household. In addition to being on FoodShare, many individuals have other significant barriers such as: criminal backgrounds, disabilities, mental health, AODA or other significant health care problems. EATA will continue to track each individual's progress through the State of Wisconsin CARES and the Homeless Consortium Service Point database system to report its progress monthly. Lastly, a new emerging need that UW Hospital Human Resources staff realized was the need for a toolkit of information to be created with additional resources and contact people to draw from after our BOOST Employment participants are hired. EATA is creating that toolkit now, as a part of its retention services for the employers we are working with in this effort. 2. Applicant Organization or Group: (5000 Characters) Please briefly describe the history and structure of your organization. Include information about staffing, your board and/or volunteers. Please describe any successes you have had in the areas of programming or the project described in this proposal. The Employment and Training Association (EATA) is one of the oldest private, non-profit, community based organizations in South Central Wisconsin. EATA has operated various federal training components funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency's roots date back to 1966 when EATA operated the Community Action Program: Neighborhood Youth Corp. Since that time, EATA has managed components of Youth and Adult Work Experience, Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), Work Exploration and Job Training (WEJT), Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS), Children First, 2

3 FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET), Wisconsin Works (W-2), WorkSmart (WIOA), Re-entry Programming, Deferred Prosecution programs, Windows to Work and DVR Services. EATA is committed to providing employment and training services in a way that preserves personal dignity, considers individual needs and differences, and supports individuals and their families. To further this goal, the agency employs staff with a unique blend of talents, skills, and backgrounds to ensure that customers' needs are met. EATA provides comprehensive employment and training services throughout South Central Wisconsin. As a One-Stop-Operator in Dane & a partner agency in Sauk, Columbia, Marquette, Dodge and Jefferson Counties EATA has been a leader in the integration and coordination of regional services in South Central Wisconsin. Since 1966 EATA has maintained longtime relationships with other community based service providers, as well as local employers. Neighborhood involvement helps EATA to forge relationships with local staff to provide a seamless transition for our shared participants. This approach ultimately leads to better trained candidates going into the workforce. EATA continues to cultivate and provide multi-cultural services to the diverse population in South Central Wisconsin. EATA has been successful because of the dedicated employees who strive to help those in need see the possibilities and assist them in getting there. 3. Intended Service Population: (2500 characters) Please describe the intended service population (e.g., where they are located, ages, ethnicities, income ranges, English language proficiency etc.). The intended service population is comprised of the Homeless and FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) participants. This population encompasses individuals of multiple ages, ethnicities, skill levels and barriers to employment, such as those with disabilities, criminal backgrounds, AODA, mental health or other health care issues. 4. Innovation: (5000 characters) How does this proposal reflect a new or innovative approach to the stated problem? EATA proposes to continue to work with local employers to develop trainings for the Homeless and FoodShare participants residing in Madison & Dane County. This project would develop curriculum with the employers for full-time, entry level positions and train the participants on those skill sets. The employer would offer a tour of their company, help develop the curriculum and agree to interview individuals from the training. Staff from the BOOST Employment project would job coach on-site for those offered employment and act as the intermediary for any retention issues that may arise. 5. Project/Program Goals: (5000 characters) Please describe the specific goals, objectives and intended measurable impacts of this program/project. Include the number of people you expect will benefit from this project. Program Goal 1: The Employment & Training Association will create employer-based trainings which will offer opportunities for the Homeless and FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) participants to gain new skills for entry level positions within those companies. Measurable Outcomes: * The Employment & Training Association (EATA) will contact at least 50 employers about creating trainings specific to their hiring needs. * EATA will create and offer at least one training per month to FSET participants. Program Goal 2: FSET participants will learn new skills necessary for specific entry level positions, as well as gain and retain employment 3

4 Measurable Outcomes: * At least 50 FSET participants will be recruited to participate in the employer-based occupational skills training. * At least 50% of those who successfully finish the training will find employment. 6. Program/Project design: (5000 characters) Please describe structure of proposed program or project, hours of service/schedule, staffing, curriculum or project/service structure, etc. As stated above, EATA proposes to work with local employers to develop trainings for the Homeless and FoodShare participants residing in Madison & Dane County. This project will develop curriculum with the employers for full-time, entry level positions and train the participants on those skill sets. The employer will offer a tour of their company, will help develop the curriculum and agree to interview individuals from the training. Staff from the BOOST Madison's Employment project will job coach on-site for those offered employment and act as the intermediary for any retention issues that may arise. The Training Coordinator will recruit interested employers, create training curriculum and provide training services on an on-going basis. The Training Coordinator will also work in concert with the staffing agencies to find potential employers. Orientation, recruitement and job clubs will take place weekly. Particpants will be recruited thru the Homeless Consortium and the FoodShare Employment network for eligible and appropriate referrals to trainings. (Appropriate is in reference to specific employment parameters, such as a person with a battery charge is not an appropriate referral to Mendota Mental Health because of the Caretaker law.) At least one training will be provided each month, but more than likely at least 2 trainings would be offered each month to participants from the Homeless Consortium and the general FoodShare Employment & Training FSET population. Tours of companies may be offered, and interviews for companies will take place after training is complete with the "sponsoring" company. Job Club for employment search will take place weekly. After employment is obtained, the Employment and Retention Specialist will check in at work sites and provide on-site job coaching if need be, as well as retention services, such as problem solving for child care or transportation needs, etc. The Case Manager will track participation in the State reporting systems for FoodShare and the Homeless Consortium. The Case Manager will also track retention. 7. Community Engagement: (2500 characters) Please describe how community, residents and program and/ or project participants were engaged in the development of this proposal. The local employer community has discussed the lack of suitable candidates for entry level positions and has already expressed interest in enacting this proposal; several examples include: Pitney Bowes Pre-Sort Services. SPI Global, Mendota Mental Health Center and UW Hospital & Clinics. In addition to regular employers, staffing agencies have also expressed an interest in partnering on this proposal to help local employers fill their positions more successfully; such as Celerity. Per Foodshare Employment and Training numbers historically with a 35% entered employment goal, the need for additional training opportunities is apparent. 8. Collaboration: (2500 characters) Please describe the level of involvement with other service providers, schools, funders, government bodies, or other public or private stakeholders in the development of this proposal and its expected implementation. 4

5 This program design was approved by Dane County Human Services and the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. The Employment & Training Association currently administers several special population FoodShare Employment & Training (FSET) 50/50 Match programs in cooperative partnerships with Dane County Human Services, the City of Madison's Homeless Consortium, BOOST Employment, Deferred Prosecution, Big Step, Operation Fresh Start, YWCA, Commonwealth and Madison Area Urban Ministry. This latest design was created from the comments of local employers who described the disconnect between the applicant pool and their staffing needs. It is a fact that as the economy gets tighter, training is one of the first departments to be eliminated in corporate America. This option would allow for participants to be trained in the areas employers are seeking for their entry level positions. In addition, collaboration with staffing agencies will provide another avenue to create partnerships with employers for training, placement and retention opportunities for the FSET population. Discussions with two such agencies have already occurred in relation to this program design. 9. Proposed Timeline for Implementation: Estimated Start and Completion Activity Dates Outreach & recruitment of employers January-November 2016 Outreach & recuitment of FoodShare Employment and Training participants for employer-based trainings thru Community Based January-November 2016 Agencies Employer-Based Skills Trainings January-December 2016 Individualized case management for the FoodShare Employment and Training participants, along with on-site job coaching and January-December 2016 retention services 10. Funding: (500 characters each) a) What other funding have you sought and/or received to support this project? Dane County Department of Human Services, has committed matching funds of $40,000 from the FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) 50/50 Match program. EATA has received funding in the past from a Homeless Consortium member. b) Do you anticipate future funding needs from City sources associated with this proposal? Please describe. Depending on the creation and perameters of the 2 year cycle of funding from the City of Madison, EATA may apply for that funding in the future. c) Has your organization received funding from the City of Madison Community Development Division, City of Madison CDBG office, Community Services, the Emerging Opportunities Program or the former Emerging Neighborhoods Program in the last 5 years? Yes No 5

6 11. Budget: Summarize your project budget by estimated costs, revenue, and fund source. BUDGET EXPENDITURES A. Personnel Costs (Complete Personnel chart below) TOTAL PROJECT COSTS AMOUNT OF CITY $ REQUESTED AMOUNT OF NON- CITY REVENUES SOURCE OF NON- City FUNDED PORTION 1. Salaries/Wages (show detail below) 30,842 15,421 15,421 DCDHS 2. Fringe Benefits and Payroll Taxes 8,126 4,063 4,063 DCDHS B. Program Costs 1. Program supplies and equipment 3,930 1,965 1,965 DCDHS 2. Office Supplies DCDHS 3. Transportation DCDHS 4. Other (explain) 5,339* 2, , DCDHS C. Space Costs 5. Rent/Utilities/Telephone DCDHS 6. Other (explain): D. TOTAL (A + B + C) 50,000 25,000 25,000 Explanation of Other expenses: (500 characters) Other costs associated with the grant include expenditures for *supportive services for program participants $3,600, insurance, payroll, communications and professional services. 12. Personnel Chart: Please list all paid staff that will be working on the proposed program/project. Title of Staff Position F.T.E.* Proposed Hourly Wage* Case Manager/Employment & Retention Specialist 20.46% $18.28 Employer Relations & Training Coordinator 32.42% $27.98 Fiscal Coordinator 3.79% $27.98 Executive Director 3.11% $30.75 $ TOTAL 60% *FTE = Full Time Equivalent (1.00,.75,.50, etc.) 2080 hours = 1.00 FTE Please identify FTE that will be spent in this project. *Note: All employees involved in programs receiving City of Madison funds must be paid the established Living Wage as required under City of Madison Ordinance Effective January 1, 2015 December 31, 2015, the Living Wage is $12.62 per hour, and will change to $12.83 per hour on January 1,

7 13. Fiscal Agent Relationship (if applicable): If applicant organization is not a 501c (3) this section must be completed. If applicant is a 501c (3) please skip to the Signature Page. Fundamental expectations of the Fiscal Agent and Applicant relationship: The Fiscal Agent should read the EOP application and have some confidence that the applicant agency will be able to successfully implement the proposed project or program. The Fiscal Agent will accept allocated funds from the City of Madison for the identified program or project and reimburse the applicant for expenses incurred performing the work of the contracted program. The Fiscal Agent and the applicant agency will decide who will provide and purchase the necessary insurance coverage for the identified program. The Fiscal Agent will ensure that the funded project or program is in compliance with City of Madison Purchase of Service Contact requirements, including but not limited to Living Wage requirements, Non Discrimination and Affirmative Action, and equal benefits protections. Applicant is expected to provide the Fiscal Agent with the Fiscal Agent Commitment Form. Please indicate date and staff person that received this form. Date: N/A Staff person: N/A Position: N/A Telephone Number: N/A 7

8 -SIGNATURE PAGE- City of Madison Contracts: The following information is provided in order to outline city requirements that will apply if your proposal is funded. All allocated funds will be administered through contracts with the City of Madison, community Development Division. If funded, the City of Madison reserves the right to negotiate the final terms of a contract with the selected organization. If funded, applicants will be expected to attend a mandatory meeting on contracting requirements the week of November 17. City purchase of service contracts include requirements regarding non discrimination, and consideration of vulnerable populations along with specific requirements regarding the following three areas: 1. Affirmative Action: If funded, applicant hereby agrees to comply with City of Madison Ordinance and file either an exemption or an Affirmative Action Plan with the Department of Civil Rights. A model Affirmative Action Plan and instructions are available at 2. Living Wage Ordinance: All employees involved in programs supported by City of Madison funds must be paid the established Living Wage as required under City of Madison Ordinance The Living wage in 2015 is $12.62 per hour, and effective January 1, 2016, it will change to $12.83 per hour. For more information on Living Wage requirements, go to 3. Insurance If funded, applicant agrees to secure insurance coverage in the following areas to the extent required by the office of City Risk Management: Commercial General Liability Automobile Liability Worker s Comp Professional Liability The cost of this coverage can be considered in the request for funding. The Certificate of Insurance that will be required at the time of contracting is available on the City of Madison Risk Management website. A sample contract that includes standard provisions may be obtained by contacting the Community Development Division at (608) Signature: (Any applications submitted without a signature will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for funding.) Applicant Signature: Enter Name: Jon Danforth Date: 9/28/15 By entering your initials in the box, JD You are electronically signing your name and agreeing to the terms above. 8