CANCELED - Workforce Development Board

Summary

The Workforce Development Board approved the minutes from their regular meeting on January 16, 2025. This is a routine administrative action to ensure official records are accurate.

Citizen Impact

This action is a procedural step and has no direct impact on residents.

Confidence

high

Summary

The Workforce Development Board (WDB) met on May 15, 2025, and approved several key items:

• Consent Calendar: Approved excusing absent board members and receiving labor market information.
• Youth Provider RFPs: Accepted the ranking of proposals for youth services and authorized agreements with Working Wardrobes and Standup for Kids, each for $200,000 for one year (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026), funded by WIOA.
• Therapeutic Arts Center Agreement: Recommended City Council approve a $250,000 one-year agreement with the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center for PY 2025-2026, subject to WIOA youth funds.
• WIOA Partner MOUs: Approved boilerplate MOUs with required Title I WIOA program providers for a three-year term (expiring June 30, 2028), and a separate MOU with the County of Orange Social Services Agency. City Council approval is recommended for these MOUs.
• Election of Officers: Elected a Chair and Vice Chairperson for the 2025-2026 term.

The next WDB meeting is scheduled for July 17, 2025.

Citizen Impact

These approvals ensure continued funding and partnerships for youth employment programs and essential workforce development services, impacting job seekers and local businesses.

Confidence

high

Summary

This report from the Employment Development Department presents labor market information for Santa Ana as of August 2025. The civilian labor force was 162,600, with 155,200 employed and 7,400 unemployed, resulting in an unemployment rate of 4.5%. This rate is slightly lower than the Orange County average of 4.6% and matches the U.S. average. Santa Ana's unemployment rate has fluctuated over the past year, reaching a low of 3.6% in May 2025 and a high of 4.9% in July 2025. Within California, Santa Ana ranked 3rd with the lowest unemployment rate in August 2025. This item is for informational purposes only, with no fiscal impact.

Citizen Impact

This report provides insight into the local job market, indicating a stable unemployment rate for Santa Ana residents. The data can inform job seekers and businesses about current economic conditions.

Confidence

high

Summary

The Santa Ana Workforce Development Board (SAWDB) is set to approve four key administrative and program policies to enhance compliance and service delivery under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant. These policies, effective November 20, 2025, address findings from a recent state compliance review and aim to strengthen internal controls and provide clear guidance. The Property Management, Inventory Control and Disposition Policy outlines standards for acquiring, managing, and disposing of WIOA-funded property, requiring state approval for equipment over $10,000. The Audits and Audit Resolution Policy details audit requirements for entities expending over $1,000,000 in federal funds, including reporting to federal and state clearinghouses, and procedures for resolving audit findings and collecting debts. The Oversight and Monitoring Policy – Fiscal and Program establishes annual reviews, risk assessments, and corrective action plans for subrecipients and contractors to ensure fiscal and programmatic compliance. Lastly, the Incumbent Worker Training Policy sets criteria for employer and employee eligibility, allowable training costs (up to $4,000 per trainee), and mandatory employer cost-sharing ranging from 10% to 50% based on company size, to help businesses retain and upskill their workforce.

Citizen Impact

These updated policies ensure that federal funds for workforce development programs are managed with greater accountability and compliance, directly impacting residents by supporting effective job training and employment services. The Incumbent Worker Training program helps local businesses retain and advance employees, potentially leading to more stable jobs and career growth for Santa Ana residents.

Confidence

high