STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: October 13, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize the first of two, one-year renewal options to the service contract with International Rescue Committee, Inc. to provide digital literacy skills for work to limited English proficient low- to moderate-income residents of Dallas through the Overcoming Barriers to Work Program for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 - Not to exceed $76,833.00, from $76,833.00 to $153,666.00 - Financing: 2020-21 Community Development Block Grant Fund
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BACKGROUND
The Overcoming Barriers to Work Program provides supportive services to address barriers to work. These barriers may include but are not limited to transportation, childcare, language, mental health resources and lack of wrap-around services. This program supports projects/programs that provide City of Dallas residents with skills and needed support to gain and maintain jobs that pay livable wages. The program specifically provides supportive services for individuals participating in job training/career development programs. Programming is offered to clients who meet Community Development Block Grant eligibility requirements of low- to moderate-income.
The International Rescue Committee, Inc. (IRC) addresses language and wrap-around services barriers through their Digital Literacy Skills for Work Project, which is designed to support individuals participating in job training/career development programs. The project helps individuals with barriers to employment, gain the foundational digital literacy skills they need to succeed in job training and career development programs, that lead to either a first job or a higher skill, higher paying wage job. This project targets limited English proficient low- to moderate- income individuals who reside in the city of Dallas. These clients also receive wrap-around services that include a career pathways specialist who provides a plan tailored to the individuals specialized need.
On October 23, 2019, City Council authorized a one-year service contract with two one-year renewal options for the Overcoming Barriers to Work Program with (1) Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House in the amount of $36,698.00, (2) International Rescue Committee, Inc. in the amount of $76,833.00, and (3) The Salvation Army in the amount of $40,337.00, by Resolution No. 19-1657.
IRC Performance Measures and Goals for the 19-20 Program year are as follows:
PERFORMANCE MEASURES GOALS AMENDED OUTCOME (THROUGH
GOALS (AUGUST 31, 2020)
*Unduplicated individuals 100 85 81
participated in at one service
provided through IRC Dallas that
helps a person obtain/or maintain
employment
*Eligible participants enroll in 50 40 20
Career Pathways - Digital
Literacy course
*Participants complete Career 40 30 20
Pathways-Digital Literacy
Course with an attendance rate of
80% or higher
*Average hourly wage among all $13.00 $12.50 $12.79
Individuals included in Employment
(total)
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On October 23, 2019, City Council authorized a one-year service contract with two one-year renewal options for the Overcoming Barriers to Work Program with (1) Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House in the amount of $36,698.00, (2) International Rescue Committee, Inc. in the amount of $76,833.00, and (3) The Salvation Army in the amount of $40,337.00 by Resolution No. 19-1657.
City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on October 2, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2020 |
FY 2021 |
Future Years |
|
2020-21 Community Development Block Grant Fund |
$76,833.00 |
$76,833.00 |
$0.00 |