Workforce Investment Act Funds SFP Governor s CalGRIP PY 2008/09 Proposal Narrative Form

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2 Organization Name: Monterey County Office for Employment Training Workforce Investment Act Funds SFP Governor s CalGRIP PY 2008/09 Proposal Form STATE USE ONLY Subgrant Number Project Number Initial Plan Modification Date Exhibit A Month/year Section I - Statement of Need and High Intensity Gang Activity Areas (HIGAAs) 1. Describe the geographical area the project will target and include the county/counties where services will be provided. Up to five bonus points will be awarded to projects serving one or more of the HIGAAs identified in Section 5 D of the SFP. The geographic area the project will target is Monterey County. The City of Salinas, especially East Salinas, is an area of especially high need and high intensity gang activity. Monterey County is designated as a High Intensity Gang Activity Area (HIGAA) by the state. Monterey County s 3,324 square miles include 100 miles of California coastline and two distinct regions: the Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas River Valley. California s Department of Finance estimates the county s 2007 population to be approximately 426,000. About 35% of Monterey County residents live in the City of Salinas according to 2000 Census data. By the year 2020, Monterey County is projected to increase to more than 476,000 residents. (Source: California Employment Development Department, Monterey County Snapshot) The City of Salinas with a population of 150,000 is the county seat. East Salinas is one of the most gang-infested communities in the State. It is an impoverished, largely residential neighborhood with the highest housing density, lowest education and economic levels, highest crime rate, and the most gang activity in the county. According to the Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force, 50% of all gang-related incidents in Salinas are concentrated in East Salinas. According to local law enforcement, Monterey County has an estimated 5,000 certified and affiliated gang members with approximately 3,000 living in Salinas alone. Most gangs in Salinas align and identify themselves as either Norteño or Sureño ; both are predominately Hispanic gangs. Norteño gangs have wreaked havoc in the county for over four decades. State gang investigators from the Office of the Attorney General have partly attributed rising youth crime rates around Northern and Central California to a power vacuum left after massive federal and state prosecutions targeted the leadership of major gangs in There are approximately 71 gangs countywide, with as many as 49 major youth gangs. Monterey County also is the home of two California State Prisons, Salinas Valley State Prison and Correctional Training Facility (Soledad). Both are approximately 30 miles south of Salinas. This proximity contributes to the local gang problems. Gang associates and family members often move to small towns like Salinas to be close to incarcerated gang members. This has led to multi-generational and inter-generational (sibling) gang members in communities such as East Salinas, making the city the unwanted home of too many violent, and at times deadly, confrontations a senseless violence that has taken its toll on the community. FWIASFP08-4B Page 1 of 19 10/08

3 2. Describe the unmet need of the youth in the area that the proposed project will target. Include an explanation of how the unmet need was determined and what factors have contributed to the unmet need. Provide the following statistical information that supports the need for this project and include data sources: gang-related homicides, number of youth on probation or parole, high school drop-out rates, high school academic performance index scores, poverty levels and total number of youth in service area. The unmet need that is addressed by this project is for a comprehensive and coordinated program to serve year old court-involved and at-risk youth. There are successful programs in the community serving at-risk youth until their 18 th birthday; however, for this target group of year olds, there are no coordinated or adequately funded programs to continue the intervention efforts that will enable them to become self-sufficient and contributing members of our community. This project funds an employment and training project, coordinated with reduction, prevention and other intervention strategies. Employment opportunities have been identified as a critical success factor in best practices models and by our local community. The Community Safety Alliance conducted a series of community need and resource assessments that culminated in October 2007 with 75 community leaders gathering in Salinas to discuss anti-gang strategies. The results of these efforts reveal the greatest needs are to improve literacy rates, to provide employment opportunities, to facilitate parent education, and to coordinate existing community resources. Additional needs include a lack of after school programs, reduced funding for intervention with at-risk youth, teens unable to find jobs, and a poorly organized community that responds passively to new homicides and has come to rely solely on suppression efforts. Gangs are responsible for the escalation of violent crimes in the city of Salinas, which is in the midst of what may turn out to be the city s deadliest period of gang violence in its history. The number of homicides in 2008 is tied with the all time record of 24 set in Since January 2008, of the 24 homicides in Salinas 22 are believed to be gang-related. In 2007, there were 14 homicides in Salinas, 13 of which were believed to be gang-related. This equaled the total for 2005 and 2006 combined. Salinas was second only to Los Angeles in the percentage of gang-related homicides. (Criminal Justice Statistics Center for Homicide Crimes, 2005) Research has consistently demonstrated that youth are significantly more criminally active during periods of active gang membership. According to the County Probation Department, there are 947 youth on juvenile probation supervision, and 48.6% have gang terms and conditions of probation (a 6.6% increase from last year) and 70.7% of youth currently in juvenile hall (80 of 113) are gang affiliated. The vast majority (88%) of male youth court-ordered to the local Youth Center a year-long residential facility have gang terms of probation. Youth gang members are also involved in significantly more violent crimes; all the youth currently in custody for murder or attempted murder are gang affiliated. Information from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Division of Juvenile Justice shows there were 69 parolees with a county of commitment of Monterey as of June 30, FWIASFP08-4B Page 2 of 19 10/08

4 Census information indicates a very serious scenario for high school graduation rates in Monterey County. In 2007, for our target group of year olds, twice as many did not finish high school compared to California and the U.S. In Monterey County, nearly half of all the years olds who have not graduated from high school live in Salinas. Population Salinas City Monterey County California US Total number of youth 15,430 45,598 Less than high school graduate 36.8% 25.6% 18.2% 17.1% How Many? 5,682 11,657 Source: 2007 American Community Survey High school academic performance index scores from the California Department of Education show that the Salinas Union High School District and Monterey County have lower reading, math, and writing scores than California. SAT results for are included in the table below: SAT Results Salinas Union High Monterey California School District County Average Critical Reading Score Average Math Score Average Writing Score Average Total Score Source: Education Data Partnership Based on US Census data in the year 2007, 10.8% of individuals in Monterey County are living below the poverty level. For individuals years old, in Monterey County, 5,645 (14.2%) had income in the past 12 months below the poverty level, and in Salinas, 2,363 (15.6%) had income in the past 12 months below the poverty level. The Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services Key Indicators Report identified that the Community Benefits Branch touched nearly one in five Monterey County residents in December There were nearly 80,000 individuals served, with the largest single program being Medi-Cal. Nearly 74% of those served by the Community Benefits Branch live in the Salinas Valley, about 15% live on the Monterey Peninsula, and 11% in North Monterey County. This data for the community needs assessment, statistics for gang-related homicides, the number of youth on probation or parole, high school drop-out rates, high school academic performance index scores, poverty levels and total number of youth in the service area indicate the critical need in Monterey County and the challenges of youth to be served. 3. Explain why the need cannot be met with existing resources through the local or regional educational, employment and training service delivery infrastructures. The need is for additional employment opportunities in a climate of reduced funding for at-risk youth and difficulty finding jobs. We are currently funding Turning Point to serve 43 participants. The only way to expand this successful model, specifically with the target population identified in this proposal, is to secure additional funds for On-the-Job-Training (OJT) accounts and case management. Additionally, we are very eager to support the start-up of the Salinas Youth Corps project by funding stipends and wages to increase the year old target population in this FWIASFP08-4B Page 3 of 19 10/08

5 program. An important outcome of this grant is the creation of a more coordinated effort of multiple employment programs to serve at-risk youth. Although tremendous effort continues on the part of the communities in Monterey County to provide outreach to the youth at risk of gang involvement, the continuing gang related criminal activity and numbers of youth on probation with gang terms emphasizes the unmet need in the community. In Monterey County there are very limited resources to provide transitional services to youth who turn 18 while a part of the juvenile justice system. Youth who turn 18 who have been incarcerated or part of a day-reporting probationary program have very little in the way of follow-up care and community resources to help them become contributing citizens of the community. Many need the continuing support of adults to work through issues of finding appropriate education opportunities, life skills and job readiness skills and vocational training opportunities that will allow them to move away from high risk habits and behaviors. Section II - Target Group 1. Describe the characteristics of the youth that will be served by this project including barriers and supportive service needs such as housing, drug and alcohol treatment, counseling, etc. Describe how you will determine whether a youth is a current gang member, gang involved or atrisk of gang involvement. Complete and attach the Target Group Planning Chart (SFP Form 1). Characteristics of the youth who will be served include economically disadvantaged youth, often with learning disabilities and basic skills deficiencies, who are at risk of gang involvement, are already involved in gang activities, or are gang members. Many will be in need of alcohol and/or drug treatment and many will come from the community in the East Salinas area known to have the highest poverty rate, highest unemployment rate and highest population density in Monterey County. Most of these youth will need support services in the form of clothing, transportation, and in some cases a contribution toward housing in order to succeed in the programs offered. The barriers these youth face are often the same factors that put them at risk of gang involvement. Determination of whether a youth is a current gang member, gang involved, or at-risk of gang involvement will be based on criteria from the Salinas Police Department and risk factors identified by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Current Gang Member: The Salinas Police Department uses a list of 10 criteria in determining whether or not someone is a gang member. An individual must meet at least 3 of the criteria to be considered a gang member: (1) admits gang membership; (2) has tattoos unique to a certain gang; (3) wears clothing unique to a certain gang; (4) uses or displays hand signs identified with a certain gang; (5) observed repeatedly with identified gang members or arrested while participating in a crime with a gang member, (6) pictured in a photograph with known gang member(s), (7) possesses gang writing or drawings displaying unique gang identity, (8) letters, documents and correspondence identifying the subject as a gang member, (9) name appears on a gang membership roster, (10) frequents known gang locations, or (11) probation records indicate gang membership. FWIASFP08-4B Page 4 of 19 10/08

6 Gang involved: 9 or more risk factors from the matrix below At-risk of gang involvement: 4 8 risk factors from the matrix below Individual: juvenile arrests Family: family member is a known gang member School: poor academic performance Community: resides in known gang neighborhood Individual: gun possession Family: child abuse or neglect School: truancy, suspension, expulsion, dropout Community: resides in high violent crime neighborhood Risk Matrix Individual: teen parenthood and sexual activity Family: divorce, domestic violence, intimate murders School: teacher abuse, school crime rates high Community: resides in high drug crime neighborhood Individual: drug or alcohol abuse Family: family history of drug abuse Peer: gang related activity, offence Community: resides in high poverty neighborhood 2. Identify the outreach and recruitment methods that will be used to contact and recruit current gang members, gang-involved, or at-risk of gang involvement youth. Demonstrate how these methods will enable you to reach the targeted youth population. Referrals will be made by agencies, organizations and other projects, including Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, Silver Star Resource Center, Monterey County Probation Department, local law enforcement agencies, state parole, and the Salinas Adult School. Rancho Cielo Youth Campus and the Silver Star Resource Center provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth and their families. Because these two programs are focused and funded to serve youth up to age 18, this project establishes a critical link in their continuum of care strategy. Section III - Planned Approach 1. Describe the intervention and/or prevention strategy that will be used to achieve the planned goals and objectives. Include a service process flowchart. Demonstrate how this strategy is comprehensive and community focused providing a holistic approach to serving the target population. The planned goals and objectives of this proposal will be achieved as part of a larger goal of reducing gang and youth violence through focused deterrence and employment. The evidence based strategy effectively implemented in the Boston Operation Ceasefire includes the following objectives: 1) Analyze the dynamics of local gun violence; 2) Organize a working group that will design and implement the local strategy; 3) Communicate directly with gang members and youth most likely to commit gun violence; 4) Connect gang members and youth to employment opportunities; and 5) Build a strategic law enforcement partnership. FWIASFP08-4B Page 5 of 19 10/08

7 This proposal directly addresses the need to connect gang members and youth to employment opportunities. While focusing on this objective, the project will build on the foundation of existing partnerships with (1) the County of Monterey Probation Department, (2) the City of Salinas whose Office of Community Safety has had a proactive leadership role in the City s Violence Prevention efforts, (3) the California Youth Outreach providing direct services to the targeted youth and families, (4) the Silver Star Resource Center providing services to at-risk court-involved youth up to 18 years old, and (5) Rancho Cielo Youth Campus providing educational and job training services to the same population. The approach will be to enhance existing anti-gang strategies by establishing a system of information sharing, mutual referrals, joint case management and collective action for year olds. Each of the sectors law enforcement, city and county agencies and community-based organizations has a stake in curbing the gang violence, which has been escalating in frequency and severity. The attached service process flowchart identifies referral agencies, the Office for Employment Training (OET) as the One-Stop Career Center operator, academic services, and employment and training services. OET represents the One-Stop Operator consortium in Monterey County and currently is the program operator for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funded services. OET will enroll, assess, refer, case manage, and track outcomes for all grant participants. Additionally OET will be the grant administrator for this Governor s 15 percent grant. 2. Describe the specific types of services and training that will engage youth in positive community alternatives, increase their vocational and job readiness skills, link them to career pathways and reduce their risk of gang involvement. Identify who will provide the services and/or training. Demonstrate how your services and training relate to your planned performance benchmarks. The service process flowchart identifies how participants will be referred from numerous sources, and enrolled and assessed by OET. Many of the participants will be referred, upon turning 18, from youth programs in the community. One of the strong elements of this proposal is that OET and partner programs will share past assessments, goals and progress to determine training, career and support plans for participants. The specific types of services and training that will engage youth in positive community alternatives include academic, job readiness, and employment services. Because of the low job growth in Monterey County, career plans will focus on entry-level state and local government positions and healthcare, including allied health. Many of the participants will have been working on completing their GED and any needed adult basic education prior to entering this program. The service process flowchart indicates that any participants that are assessed below 8 th grade literacy and numeracy levels, or who have not completed their GED, will participate in adult basic education and GED preparation and completion at the Salinas Adult School. Salinas Adult School provides orientations twice a month for students interested in their open entry-open exit academic programs. Literacy and numeracy and a high school diploma or GED are critical to succeeding in employment and career goals. We anticipate that a minimum of 50 of 100 participants identified as basic skills deficient will achieve Literacy and Numeracy Gains as a result of this program. Additionally, we anticipate that a minimum of 75 out of 100 participants will Attain Certificate/Diploma/Degree by completing their GED or WorkKeys Career Certificates. Employment and training opportunities will be used to encourage participants to complete academic goals. An exciting component of this proposal is the utilization of WorkKeys Career Assessments/ Certificates and WIN training to identify participants strengths and increase employability. It is FWIASFP08-4B Page 6 of 19 10/08

8 anticipated that 60 out of 100 participants will Attain a Certificate in WorkKeys. Initial assessments and final certificates are indicated in the Process Flow Chart. WIN delivers skillbased training to improve workplace skills for workforce development, adult education, and basic skills training. WIN courseware includes print and electronic instructional curriculum that prepares individuals for WorkKeys assessments. The curriculum includes 20+ hours of instructional material for all levels of WorkKeys and preparation materials with Web-delivered Spanish translation and Natural Voice technology. It ensures concept mastery, not just test preparation. Participants who have already completed their GED and are assessed at an 8 th grade literacy and numeracy level or higher, will work on employment and career training and development as identified in the Process Flow Chart. This proposal demonstrates the strong and continuing collaboration between OET and Turning Point of the Central Coast, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus and the Salinas Adult School. Participants who have completed work readiness will be referred to 12-week On-the-Job-Training (OJT) opportunities with Turning Point providing job development and case management in collaboration with the other partners. Participants who need additional support and work readiness development will be referred to the Salinas Youth Corps project conducted at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus for 5-week employment projects and 150-hour work experience opportunities. Participants whose employment and career development plans lead them to post secondary education will be referred to Hartnell College, primarily to their Health and Allied Health programs. It is anticipated that 60 of 100 participants will achieve Placement in Employment, Education or Training outcomes. Rancho Cielo Youth Campus is a non-profit providing students who are in the juvenile justice system the opportunity to turn their lives around through education, vocational training, recreation and additional services needed to help them become accountable, competent and responsible citizens of our community. Through their many partnerships they have been able to reduce the recidivism rate of students by 73% compared to students who serve their time incarcerated. Program partners are Silver Star Resource Center, Turning Point, Monterey County Office of Education, California Youth Outreach, Monterey County Probation, and Monterey County Department of Behavioral Health. Beyond education, it has become evident that jobs play a critical role in a student s rehabilitation. Rancho Cielo Youth Campus and the City of Salinas have joined together to form the Salinas Youth Corps. The Salinas Youth Corps is a job training program that is available to all Monterey County residents between ages of 13 and 24 years old. They must be enrolled in school or a high school graduate. Salinas Youth Corps gives students the opportunity to improve their job skills while being compensated for their work. Referrals come from the court system as an alternative to incarceration, Probation Department, High Schools, Continuation Schools, Department of Health or any government agency. Students will work between hours a week and will be evaluated weekly. The first week is non-paid and voluntary. If students can maintain a satisfactory evaluation during the subsequent four weeks, they will receive a stipend of $40 per week. Once the student completes five weeks of training and maintains a satisfactory evaluation, then the student will be eligible for an additional 150 hours of paid training at minimum wage ($8/hour). After approximately 225 hours of training the student will be eligible for unsubsidized employment. Through mentors and employers, we will track the student progress at the job placement. This proposal specifically increases the number of year olds participating in this exciting start-up Salinas Youth Corps. FWIASFP08-4B Page 7 of 19 10/08

9 Turning Point will be a model in assisting at-risk and court-involved youth with their entry into the world of work, taking into account history and socio-economic factors that have placed them at jeopardy. Protective community influences are sought to alleviate the youth s community, individual, family, peer and school risk factors. Turning Point: Demonstrates understanding that this population needs work as an alternative to gangs, related criminal activity and survival. If basic needs are not met, statistics show that this population resorts to life choices that often involve crime. Commences services promptly engaging the youth in meaningful employment related activities while developing their on-the-job training opportunity. Maintains a friendly, respectful and positive environment for services that teaches and models pro-social/interpersonal skills. Maintain a professional demeanor at all times, seeking all opportunities to model good work habits and reinforce progress by participants. Recognizes the good in this population and assist them to see this also. Foster positive contributions that the youth can make and provide positive reinforcements for change. Works closely with the youth s probation/parole officer, recovery sponsor, teacher and other social supports, etc, in providing seamless services and support. Provides transportation and job mentoring services during the OJT. Weave marketable work habits and job retention skills training into all activities. Provides comprehensive employer training in the characteristics of the youth being served to assist them in recognizing challenges, which, without intervention, could impede success. Brokers OJT s only with employers who are willing to provide mentoring, social skill development and the opportunity of unsubsidized employment in addition to training. A supportive work environment is as important as skill development with youth who are doubtful of the benefits of changing behaviors. Conducts bi-weekly work performance evaluations with the employer, applauding successes and addressing any areas of concern with suitable remedial action and support. Monterey County Behavioral Health services will support the goals of this project by providing group and individual counseling by a therapist trained in evidence-based brief strategic family therapy. Group therapy will be provided weekly with individual and family therapy available as well. This is an important aspect of the continuum of care that is provided at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus and Silver Star Resource Center for participants prior to their 18 th birthday. 3. Describe how your service plan will address the barriers of the targeted youth and prepare them to enter an education or training program, obtain employment in a high wage/high growth industry or in an occupation with future career advancement opportunity, attain a degree/certificate, achieve literacy/numeracy gains or return to/remain in secondary school. There are three critical components to our service plan that will address the barriers of the targeted youth. A critical component includes the concurrent prevention, reduction and intervention strategies occurring in the community around our participants. An additional component is that case managers and project leaders and associates will meet at least monthly to discuss successes and challenges of this project as well as ongoing prevention and reduction strategies supporting this project. The third component is that as part of weekly group counseling, the participants will meet at least monthly at the Rancho Cielo Youth Campus. It is not enough just to provide employment and training services without ensuring that prevention and FWIASFP08-4B Page 8 of 19 10/08

10 reduction activities, as well as additional intervention activities are facilitating families, neighborhoods, schools and communities where our participants can succeed. The barriers of the targeted youth include all of the risk factors for gang involvement identified in the matrix on page 5 including individual, family, peer, school and community risk factors. Local gang prevention includes the Phoenix gang curriculum and the Collaboration for Salinas Youth, to build and strengthen the network of services for at-risk and gang involved youth that is set along a continuum of care for prevention (primary and secondary) and intervention services. These prevention and additional intervention activities will address the barriers/risk factors of our participants. With barriers/risk factors being addressed by all the resources and in all the ways identified above, this project will focus on what we do best, preparing participants to enter an education or training program, obtain employment in a high wage/high growth industry or in an occupation with future career advancement opportunity, attain a degree/certificate, achieve literacy/numeracy gains. Community partners emphasized that employment opportunities are an absolutely essential part any strategy to reduce gang membership and violence. The collaboration of organizations with successful track records working with this target population is the key to the success of this project. 4. Describe how your service delivery plan will achieve the goals and objectives of the project in a timely manner. Complete and attach the Project Work Plan (SFP Form 2) that includes objectives/activities and timelines. The Project Work Plan identifies the service delivery plan that will achieve the goals and objectives of this proposal in a timely manner. We have also identified prevention and reduction activities that are concurrent to and support our plan. Organizations like the Monterey County Boys and Girls Club and Salinas Youth Outreach provide primary and secondary prevention in the county and the City of Salinas. Second Chance Youth Services provides additional intervention to court involved youth and their families. Gang reduction activities include the regional Gang Task Force and Community Intervention Response Team in collaboration with local law enforcement. This project reduces gang activity by providing the opportunity for alternative lifestyles. Section IV Performance Goals 1. Performance Goals Matrix Complete the Performance Goals Matrix (SFP Form 3) for the targeted youth population that the proposal will serve. If the planned project goals are different than the State goals, provide an explanation below. Planned project goals are at or above state goals. FWIASFP08-4B Page 9 of 19 10/08

11 2. Provide a description of how the goals will be measured and provide further clarification to demonstrate their effectiveness. All data on benchmarks will be entered into Virtual One Stop (VOS) web based case management system used by the Office for Employment Training. The data will be entered as performance is met and maintained for reporting purposes. The MIS and Fiscal Operating Systems will track performance on a continuous basis. Reports will be developed and published at benchmark dates to compare and insure plan and actual comparisons are continuously reviewed. Outcomes Benchmarks Measures Literacy Numeracy Gains Attained Certificate Diploma Degree Placement in Employment, Education or Training Attendance in Salinas Adult School Adult Basic Education classes WorkKeys /WIN in Basic Reading/Writing and Mathematics Attendance in GED preparation classes at Salinas Adult School WorkKeys Career Certificates Completing 5-week project with Salinas Youth Corps Completing 150-hour work experience Complete 12-week OJT with Turning Point Unsubsidized Employment Postsecondary education program 50 participants complete academic portion of Individual Employment Plan (IEP) 75 participants complete WIN training 15 participants receive GED certificate or high school diploma 60 participants will receive WorkKeys Career Certificates 48 participants will complete 48 participants will complete 32 participants will complete 45 participants will enter unsubsidized employment 15 participants will enter postsecondary program Responsible Organization Salinas Adult School Office for Employment Training Salinas Adult School Salinas Youth Corps Salinas Youth Corps Turning Point Office for Employment Training Office for Employment Training Data Source Attendance Records Individual Employment Plan (IEP) Attendance Records Completion Records Certificate Tracking Attendance Sheet Timesheets Timesheets Base-wage files or supplemental employment data Enrollment document FWIASFP08-4B Page 10 of 19 10/08

12 Section V - Local Collaboration Part A Local Boards only: 1. Describe how the Local Board has successfully formed effective partnerships. Examples of partnerships may include local probation and law enforcement, welfare agencies, public education agencies, youth advocacy groups, faith-based and community based organizations, training providers, and employers. Provide descriptions of any formal or informal agreements that exist with the partners. The Monterey County Workforce Investment Board through the Office for Employment Training has successfully formed effective partnerships including Monterey County Probation Department, the Monterey County District Attorneys Office, the Department of Social and Employment Services, the Monterey County Behavioral Health Department, The Monterey County Office of Education, community organizations such as Second Chance Youth Services, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus and Salinas Youth Outreach. The Monterey County Youth Council, comprised of 14 members, has strongly participated and endorsed the development, maintenance and funding of employment programs for high-risk youth, specifically individuals who have been involved in gang activity. Approximately 60% of all funding for youth programs focuses on older or out-of-school youth. The Council membership currently complies with SB 293, and has strong representation from the educational, labor and business communities. Parents and youth are strong members of this body. The Council meets on December 8 th, and it is expected to approve the design and submission of this grant proposal. The submission of this proposal was reviewed and approved by the WIB Executive Committee and the County Board of Supervisors in November. The City of Salinas and the County of Monterey have a history of collaborating and joining resources, and already have in place some of the components necessary to combat and prevent gang violence. Monterey County initiated a regional approach to reduce gang activity by forming the Joint Gang Task Force. The Silver Star Resource Center is a multi-collaborative of county and community based organizations providing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to address youth risk factors for gang involvement. SSRC services include family counseling and mentoring, behavioral health services for youth, truancy abatement, job training and development, gang counseling and tattoo removal, drug and alcohol counseling and an onsite school. The job training and development portion is provided by the Office for Employment and Training as its part in the collaboration. 2. Demonstrate how these partner organizations will complement the services provided by the Local Board under this proposal. Describe the involvement of the local Youth Council in the design of this proposal. Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organizations are working in the community to provide primary and secondary intervention, reduction and intervention to reduce gang violence. Partners for Peace and Restorative Justice Partners work to educate the community and provide victim offender reconciliation counseling. These efforts encourage engagement and empowerment. Additionally, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus will host CalGRIP partner meetings, and provide facilities and support for this project, and has provided in-kind match for the project. Rancho Cielo also provides significant services to at-risk youth with their mentorship, education and training programs. FWIASFP08-4B Page 11 of 19 10/08

13 The Educational Institutions identified as partners are providing academic services for adult basic education and GED/high school diploma completion, as well as, postsecondary educational opportunities. The Salinas Adult School is providing in-kind match for this project. We will be facilitating postsecondary education for our participants and leveraging the resources of the local community colleges. Probation and Law Enforcement agencies will provide mentoring and oversight for participants as well as gang and violence suppression activities in the community. The Monterey County Probation Department is providing matching funds for the support of probation staff to continue to provide services to our participants who are years old, and are no longer served by the Silver Star Resource Center or Rancho Cielo Youth Campus model programs for at-risk youth. The Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force and Salinas Police Department will provide gang suppression activities to keep the most dangerous individuals off the streets and increase community safety and engagement. Youth Advisory Groups such Community Youth Outreach and Second Chance Youth Services are collaborating to provide the outreach and education as part of the implementation of the Boston Operation Ceasefire best practices model. We will be leveraging the resources of these organizations in educating the community and making our communities safer, which, in turn, will give our participants the chance to succeed. Health and Human Services agencies such as the Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services (DSES) and the Monterey County Behavioral Health Department will contribute public resources to the success of this project. Behavioral Health will support participants with weekly group counseling, and family and individual counseling, as needed. DSES will coordinate to provide eligible participants with community benefits. Entities that serve At-Risk Youth are providing significant primary and secondary prevention, and intervention services. The Gang Resistance Education and Training Program provides a school based curriculum to deter gang violence and activities. The Silver Star Gang Prevention and Intervention model that serves younger at-risk youth will refer participants to the program when they turn 18 years old. Local Employers are key to the success of this project. The Salinas Rural Fire District and North County Fire Protection District stepped forward with matching funds in the form of expert staff and specialized safety equipment that they will contribute to the work experience opportunities for youth participating in the Salinas Youth Corps. 3. Complete and attach the Partner Roles and Responsibilities Chart (SFP Form 4) identifying the local partnerships that will be used to coordinate and provide services under this proposal. In Column B of the chart, describe each partner s roles and responsibilities. Part B - Non-Local Boards Applicants only: 1. Describe how your organization has or will successfully link with the Local Board. Include any actions you have taken to collaborate with the Local Board, including the Local Board s Youth FWIASFP08-4B Page 12 of 19 10/08

14 Council, and any formal or informal agreements that are in place. Describe the roles and responsibilities that the Local Board/Youth Council will perform in conjunction with this proposal. 2. Describe how your organization has established linkages with other partners in the local community. Examples of partnerships may include local probation and law enforcement, welfare agencies, public education agencies, youth advocacy groups, faith-based and community based organizations, employers, and training providers. 3. Complete and attach the Partner Roles and Responsibilities Chart (SFP Form 4) identifying the other local partnerships that will be used to coordinate and provide services under this proposal. In Column B of the chart, describe each partner s roles and responsibilities. Section VI Resource Utilization 1. A dollar for dollar match is required. Complete the Resource Utilization chart below identifying the cash and in-kind resources that will be used to support activities or expand and sustain the proposed project. Provide any further explanation in the space provided below the chart. Resource Utilization Chart Name of Provider Description of Fund Source Type of resource (inkind or cash) Rancho Cielo Youth Campus Amount staff, facilities, transportation, communications in-kind $321,440 staff and facilities overhead in-kind $72,000 transportation weekly group counseling in-kind $20,000 Turning Point of the Central Coast Monterey County Behavioral Health Salinas Rural Fire staff in-kind $5,000 District North County Fire staff, protective equipment in-kind $20,000 Protection District Salinas Adult School staff In-kind $58,420 Monterey County staff In-kind $128,000 Probation Monterey County staff In-kind $162,898 Workforce Investment Board Total Match $787,758 Percent of match to total requested amount 158% Commitment Letter Attached to Proposal Resource Utilization Chart : FWIASFP08-4B Page 13 of 19 10/08

15 2. Describe how each provider identified in the Resource Utilization Chart will contribute to the goals of the project, ensure non-duplication of services, and provide future sustainability. Rancho Cielo Youth Campus will run the Salinas Youth Corps program including funding a program director, probation support, meeting facilities, transportation, communications and safety gear. Additionally, in-kind match will pay wages for the first year participant crew leaders. We are proposing to support and grow this project by funding second year participant crew leader wages, and participant crew wages for both years, with this grant. Future sustainability will be developed as these crews build business relationships in the community and bring in revenue for their services. Participants who need a higher level of mentorship and job counseling will participate in the Salinas Youth Corps. Turning Point will expand services to nearly double the number of at-risk youth they are currently serving with the additional On-the-job-training (OJT) dollars proposed in this grant. In a climate of job reduction, competition for career track jobs will be greater. The year old target group that we propose to serve simply needs an opportunity to prove themselves to employers. Turning Point has a proven track record of results and collaboration. Participants who are ready and would benefit the most from on-the-job training will work with Turning Point. Monterey County Behavioral Health will provide a major component in the continuum of services for our target population. These year old at-risk and court-involved youth face significant barriers and risks from their own behaviors to their family, peer, school and community environment. Weekly group counseling sessions will assist in keeping them on track. This project will provide new challenges and opportunities, which come with new responsibilities and stresses. Providing support from trained counselors and peers who are also working toward their goals will benefit all participants. Behavioral health will also make available individual and family counseling. Salinas Rural Fire District and North County Fire Protection District have demonstrated their commitment to this project to make training and employment opportunities available. The expertise of their staff and the donation of safety equipment essential for their business are a valuable contribution and demonstrate the interest of employers to support, train and employ our target population in high-wage, career-track occupations. The Salinas Adult School is committed to supporting the adult basic education and GED needs of our target group. They will participate in our partner meetings, and play a key role in ensuring our academic achievement goals. Additionally, they will refer students who may meet our criteria and would benefit from the employment and training focus of this project. Monterey County Probation will support the coordination and oversight of our project activities and the target population by funding probation staff to specifically track participants over the age of 18. Probation staff are closely involved in the programs at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus and the Silver Star Resource Center serving the under 18 group. Their participation in the project strengthens our continuum of services strategy. The Monterey County Workforce Investment Board will dedicate local Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds to support this project in the form of staff and overhead. FWIASFP08-4B Page 14 of 19 10/08

16 3 Describe any direct grants you have received within the past four years from the U.S. Department of Labor or through a State WIA 15 Percent grant. Describe any connection those grants will have with this proposal. PY08-09 funding for Monterey County LWIA includes no new granted 15% funds. PY07-08 funding for Monterey County LWIA includes no new granted 15% funds. PY06-07 funding includes $55,000 in 15% funds granted for the High Concentration Youth Project (project total with in-kind $73,333) that is used to provide support and training for youth transitioning out of foster care. Also funded in late PY are 15% Adult grants for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and another to provide employment and training services to Veterans. In PY05-06, $62,500 in 15% funding was granted for High Concentration Youth Project (total project $87,500) again for support and training for youth transitioning out of foster care. Section VII - Statement of Capabilities 1. Describe the organization s capability to conduct and administer a federally funded project including your ability to collect and report financial and participant performance data as required. The Monterey County WIB/Office for Employment Training continues to operate WIA funded programs with positive outcomes and performance as well as other federally funded programs, using state of the art financial software to collect and report financial data and case management and participant software used for tracking and submitting participant performance data. 2. Describe past or present accomplishments in working with youth programs and how these funds will build on these successes. The Monterey County WIB/Office for Employment Training has worked with many partners in the community to provide training and support to youth in the community. For the past two years, using federal grant funds and WIA Youth funds, we have successfully teamed up with all of the partners at the Silver Star Resource Center to provide workshops, support services, work experience training, and placement services to youth. The funds from this grant will allow us to build on these successes by continuing and enhancing the services and partnerships in the community as well as adding services to youth no longer eligible for service at SSRC because of their age. We will be creating a model for serving year old youth who have been referred from SSRC and other facilities, which can no longer serve them because of their age. Monterey County LWIA has successfully achieved 100% of each of the performance outcomes required by the CA Employment Development Department. Salinas Youth Corps When Judge John Phillips was serving on the bench and sentencing young people to jail time, he knew there had to be a better way. Their sentence only led them to being better criminals and rehabilitation and education were not part of their time served. When he retired he started Rancho Cielo in Our campus is on 100 acres and we now have 56 students going to FWIASFP08-4B Page 15 of 19 10/08

17 school full-time who are focused on graduating. Knowing that employability is key to their success, a vocational center is planned for 2010 and building is now going on for a Culinary Academy. The Salinas Youth Corps Program Director, Andrew Seminerio, has a Special Education Level I teaching credential and has a background in construction. He was the Construction Trainer at YouthBuild for the City of Watsonville Job Training program for at-risk youth. His teaching, construction and program background makes him the perfect director for the Salinas Youth Corps program. Turning Point is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to assisting at-risk and court involved youth and adults and their families. Turning Point serves as a bridge between this population, the community at large, and the criminal justice system. In over three decades the organization has become a recognized resource and community leader in meeting the challenges of providing training and employment for at-risk individuals. The Agency has been operating job training, placement and related services for adult offenders in Monterey County since Job retention, self-sufficiency and recidivism reduction is the program focus. This is addressed through comprehensive assessment, pre-employment skills training, individual and group counseling, supportive services, on-the-job training opportunities, unsubsidized employment placement, intensive case management and follow-up services. Since its inception the program has been funded by federal CETA, Job Training Partnership Act and currently by the Workforce Investment Act. Building on the successful Adult Program, Turning Point established a Youth Employment and Training Program in 2001 in Partnership with Monterey County Probation Department. The Agency provides mentoring, vocational and employment services to at-risk and court-involved youth ages in Monterey County and is a key collaborative in the Rancho Cielo Day Reporting Center. Turning Point offers youth alternative to gangs, drugs and related criminal activity in the form of work experience, and unsubsidized employment. Successful completion of probation, employment, vocational certification and education are the focus of all program activities. 3. Describe your organization s infrastructure including proposed staffing for this project that demonstrates your ability to achieve the project goals. Demonstrate that your staff have experience in working with the targeted youth population. The Monterey County Office for Employment Training is the operator of Title I Funds in Monterey County providing youth services using the annual Youth Funds Allocation. The Division of Social and Employment Services provides on-going year-round services to youth in Monterey County to include all components required for WIA youth services either in-house, contract, or collaborative partnership with other local agencies in the County. The infrastructure includes a Division Director, Program Manager, Analysts, Supervisors, Lead Workers and Line Staff who participate in all aspects of service to participants. All staff participate in the either direct service delivery or the development and oversight of the delivery of services in the One Stop or community worksites. FWIASFP08-4B Page 16 of 19 10/08