Department: Purchasing
Department Head/Elected Official: DeWight Dopslauf
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): 220112
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Volunteers of America Texas, Inc.
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the County Judge execute an amendment to an agreement and a renewal option with Volunteers of America Texas, Inc. to update Exhibit E (the Federal Award Identification Table) for training for Hire Up Harris Workforce Program for Harris County for the extended period of October 25, 2024 - October 24, 2026 with no increase in the total contract amount (220112), Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible.
end
Background and Discussion:
In March 2022, Commissioners Court approved advertisement of RFPs for Hire Up Harris Workforce Program,
targeting expansion of high-quality upskilling and reskilling workforce training programs with wrap-around
support services. The RFP selection committee reviewed proposals and the following subrecipients were
chosen based on meeting program requirements and quality of program services: Volunteers of America
Texas, Inc. and Wesley Community Center, Inc.
Volunteers of America Texas (VOATX) has over 10 years of experience in designing and delivering workforce
development and financial empowerment services. They offer 31 vocational training programs that all yield an
industry-recognized certificate or license to high-wage, high-growth jobs. They also have an employer advisory council to aid their workforce planning and development, and they serve nearly 600 individuals (impacting
nearly 1,800) per year.
The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the loss of employment by numerous
Harris County residents. Cuts to consumption, widespread illness, and social distancing rules dramatically
affected businesses, resulting in record job losses and layoffs. As with any other negative economic shock, the
pandemic also resulted in certain industries shifting rapidly (i.e., automating jobs or shifting more jobs abroad)
creating a need to upskill and reskill large segments of the population. For example, the Associated General
Contractors of America and Autodesk found that nationally, the lack of available and qualified construction
personnel is affecting nearly all construction firms’ ability to complete projects on time and on schedule.
Hire Up Harris, a comprehensive workforce training initiative, will assist at correcting both the labor supply
and labor demand problems that have been spurred by the pandemic. Short-term, high-quality training
programs help workers and employers alike emerge in a better position from the negative economic shock of
COVID-19. Hire Up Harris and the trainings it provides will be essential to transform the economy into one that
supports all workers.
Expected Impact:
The intended goals of the programs include:
• Increase the availability of workforce development programs that incorporate career advancement
training, individual coaching, and a pipeline to open employment opportunities in addition to technical
job training.
• Incentivize the placement of workers in quality jobs that pay at least $15/hr. with employee health
benefits.
• Provide wraparound support and financial resources to residents experiencing un- and under-
employment for successful completion of programs and transition to work.
• Evaluate changes in program job placement and wages over time and impact of financial resources.
Funding for this program will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and no increase will occur to
DEEO’s general fund budget.
Alternative Options:
Not fund the Hire Up Harris workforce program which will result in the County not using available ARPA funds
to assist Harris County residents in reskilling and upskilling for them to gain employment and increase their
wages.
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
X_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
3/22/2022 |
22-2006 |
Approval of a project scheduled for advertisement and consent for Request for Proposal for training for Hire Up Harris Workforce Program for Harris County (220112). |
|
10/25/2022 |
188 |
Award Approved |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Hire Up Harris |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
2651 - American Rescue Plan 2021 |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 7/15/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 7/15/2024
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Estella Gonzalez, County Administrator, EEO; Luke Herdrich, Senior Buyer, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter; Attachment