BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners hereby allocates $2,500,000 of its Federal funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund available under section 601(a) of the Social Security Act, as added by section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) to provide supplemental funding for  Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services Adult, Youth, Dislocated Worker, and the Minnesota Youth, MFIP Employment Services, SNAP Employment & Training, other specialty workforce development contracts, as well as additional community based organizations, for services and support to recipients who have been laid off, furloughed, or unemployed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency within Hennepin County during the period June 2, 2020 through December 30, 2020; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate agreements with community based organizations to provide supplemental funding for workforce development services for organizations serving individuals who have been laid off, furloughed, or unemployed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, during the period June 2, 2020 through December 30, 2020; that following review and approval by the County Attorney's Office, the Chair be authorized to sign the agreements and other necessary documents on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a supplemental appropriation to the 2020 Human Services Department budget in the amount of $2,500,000, be approved and that the County Administrator direct staff to develop guidelines to ensure services provided by community based organizations align with Hennepin County’s goal to reducing disparities in employment and address the barriers caused by COVID-19.

Section 601(a) of the Social Security Act, as added by section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), established the Coronavirus Relief Fund (the “Fund”) and appropriated $150 billion to the Fund. Under the CARES Act, the Fund is to be used to make payments for specified uses to States and certain local governments; the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories; and Tribal governments. Hennepin County received a direct payment out of the Fund from the U.S. Treasury.

The CARES Act provides that money from the Fund may only be used to cover costs that 1.) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19); 2.) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the State or government; and 3.) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.

Although Hennepin County allocates resources in support of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services Adult, Youth, Dislocated Worker, and the Minnesota Youth programs, MFIP Employment Services, SNAP Employment & Training, supplemental resources are needed to ensure community based organizations (CBOs) can provide programming to meet the needs of those directly impacted by the public health emergency while complying with public health measures. 

The requested funding is not intended to supplant existing services or resources but as a supplement for those impacted by the public health emergency. The County will solicit proposals from both those with whom there are existing workforce development contracts in the areas of WIOA, MFIP Employment Services, SNAP Employment & Training, other specialty workforce development contracts, as well as additional CBOs.

Guidelines will be developed to ensure services provided by CBOs align with Hennepin County’s goal to reducing disparities in employment and addressing the barriers caused by the public health emergency.

Proposals from CBOs will be based on their capacity and experience in delivering the following employment and training career-counseling services to youth and/or adults:

1. Outreach to jobseekers, particularly those who face barriers in the labor market.

2. Determination of program eligibility; assessment of job seekers’ interests, knowledge, abilities, skills, and/or training needs; and providing case management and access to wrap around services.

3. Employer engagement leading to targeted job placement opportunities. CBO’s industry sectors focus.

4. Ability to identify, refer to and/or provide just in time supportive services for individuals.

The County will partner with Twin West Chamber of Commerce for the development, implementation, training, maintenance, and support of a regional integrated workforce development solution, “Elevate Futures”. This internet/mobile app based technology platform will create a systematic approach to connect job seekers, students, parents and teachers with private-sector career exploration tools and open jobs. The platform also eliminates the social network barriers to entry allowing for equitable access to these opportunities and jobs. The relationship development component allows for co-creation, strategy development that leverages expertise, relationships and resources from a wide variety of community stakeholders. This technological improvement will allow the delivery of services to eligible recipients in a manner that enables compliance with public health measures during COVID-19.

All grantees will be eligible to utilize the Elevate Futures platform.

Functions of the Elevate Futures tool include: career exploration videos; online resume builder; ability to take non-credentialed training known as badges that are industry specific, and where upon completion, upload directly to the individual’s resume; curriculum uploaded by secondary and post-secondary institutions allowing learner to receive credit and or industry recognized credentials; and a job search function.

The requested funding may be used for the following: helping eligible individuals understand the benefit of Unemployment Insurance/Pandemic Unemployment Insurance and how to apply; receive just in time support services for basic needs (e.g., car repairs to attend training, etc.); receive individual or cohort training via virtual/remote/social distancing methods to ensure skills remain marketable in the current and future state of work; receive services to prepare for a return to work (e.g., finding childcare, supplying personal protective equipment, etc.); and receive services to match with employers in securing the talent they need. In addition, the requested funding may be used to connect eligible youth to career exploration services, employment opportunities, trainings, and to technology to ensure successful distance learning.

Current request: Allocate $2,500,000 CARES Act to provide supplemental workforce development services to organizations serving individuals who were laid off, furloughed, or unemployed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency; allow county administrator to negotiate agreements for the period, 6/2/20-12/30/20, and approval of a supplemental appropriation to the 2020 Human Services budget.