INFORMATION BULLETINS (PY 2004)

Alameda County Workforce Investment Board (ACWIB) Funding FAQs

ALAMEDA COUNTY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD


Frequently Asked Questions


Q1: Where do Workforce Investment Act (WIA) formula funding come from?

A: Federal Government - Department of Labor


State of California



Local Workforce Investment Area (LWIA)


The State of California receives Workforce Investment Funds from the Federal government annually. There are three funding streams to the states and localities: Adult, Dislocated Workers, and Youth. The State determines how much is allocated to each LWIA by using the following formula prescribed in the WIA:


Adult Dislocated Worker Youth
33 1/3 based on Unemployment Unemployment 33 1/3 based on unemployment
33 1/3 based on excess unemployment Concentrated unemployment 33 1/3 based on excess unemployment
33 1/3 based on economically disadvantaged Long term unemployment 33 1/3 based on economically disadvantaged youth
Mass layoff statistics
(WIA Section 127)


Q2: How do the Local Workforce Investment Boards get the WIA funds?

A: Around April and/or May of each year, the State Employment Development Division will issue Formula Allocations for each program year with allocations for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs.


Q3: How are these funds allocated to the programs within the community?

A: After the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board Director receives this allocation from the State, accordingly: For the Youth Program the funds are awarded based on local and State competitive procurement policies and procedures. The procurement process is usually conducted around December/January every three years.

For the Adult and Dislocated Worker funds, the One-Stop Career Centers are the primary providers. The Adult and Dislocated Worker allocations are divided among the six One-Stop Career Centers based on criteria approved by the WIB. These six One-Stop Career Centers were selected under a non-competitive process and the WIB certified them in 1998 under the Job Training Partnership Act. They were grandfathered in under WIA.

The primary method of competitive bidding for Youth contracts is through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Potential bidders are made aware of funding available for competitive bid through notification in public hearings, local newspapers, the ACWIB’s website (www.acwib.org), EASTBAY Works website (www.eastbayworks.org) and community mailing lists which consists of over 500 organizations within Alameda County and neighboring counties.

Bidders’ conferences will be held at various locations throughout the County (North and South County locations) to clarify the requirements for bid submittal and grant awards. The RFP packets are available via pick-up from the ACWIB office in Hayward, mail, email, and the Internet.


Q4: How can CBO’s find out about these funding opportunities?

A: The ACWIB meets quarterly at the Eden Multicultural Service Center, 24100 Amador Street, Hayward, CA. These meetings are announced on the ACWIB website and packets are available for a minimal fee. The procurement process usually begins around the end of the year when RFP’s are released. The RFP design is usually approved in September or December and released to the public shortly thereafter. ACWIB staff will present an action item to the WIB to approve funding awards to programs during the March or May WIB meeting. Any organization can get on the ACWIB mailing list for RFP announcements by contacting the ACWIB staff.


Q5: What is the funding cycle for the WIB grants?

A: The funding cycle is usually from July 1 through June 30. For Youth Programs the WIB can approve a two or three year funding cycle based on the RFP guidelines and the program operator’s ability to meet performance outcomes. One-Stop operators are continually funded based on successfully meeting performance measures.


Q6: Suppose a CBO missed the RFP process. Are there other funding options available to receive WIA funds after the WIB has awarded contracts?
A: There are a variety of ways in which CBO’s, private or public organizations can receive WIA funds. They can be funded directly through a competitive process or they can be funded indirectly through a subcontract with one of the One-Stop Career Centers or Youth program operators. The One-Stop Career Centers and Youth providers have established partnerships, subcontract agreements and MOU’s with a variety of agencies throughout the community to provide services to WIA participants (both monetary and non-monetary relationships). Agencies are encouraged to contact WIA program operators and establish partnerships with them. This will allow them the chance to gain experience working with WIA participants and become familiar with the required performance outcomes.

Our current provider list is available on our website, and you can call our office to request information.

The ACWIB has also received funding from special grants (National Emergency Grant, Nurse’s Workforce Initiative, Foster Care Pilot Program, Biotech Grant, etc.). These special grants are announced on the State Employment and Development Division’s website (www.edd.ca.gov). The ACWIB has partnered with agencies throughout the Alameda County, Eastbay Works community, San Jose, San Mateo, etc. in applying for additional funding through special grants and has endorsed many agencies applying for grants.

Q7: How do I become a training vendor?

A: Training vendors are required to be on the State’s Eligible Training Providers List (ETPL). The ETPL eligibility requirements and application is available on-line at http://eastbayworks.com/misc/ETPLAPPLICATION.doc.


Q8: Are there other opportunities with the WIB?

A: Organizations that have dollars to supplement or augment new initiatives currently supported with WIA discretionary funds, AND that meet criteria set by the Board or the grantees, may be invited to partner with the WIB. In addition partner agencies must demonstrate that their performance requirements are aligned with the WIA mandated performance measures.

Q9: What types of opportunities are there?

A: The WIB has set its priorities on high-growth, demand-driven high value initiatives that address growing industrial sectors in the local area. Current projects involve employers with specific and/or specialized needs in healthcare, biotechnology, and information systems. Opportunities to participate in discretionary funded projects are contingent on the funders’ requisites and criteria. In general, collaborating agencies are chosen based on their past experience in the specific areas, and have proven successful performance