Big thanks to our intern from the McGeorge School of Law, Jacob Benitez, for this write-up! Read a little more about Jacob at this page.
On Tuesday 6/7, the Sacramento City Council was all about the workforce, unanimously adopting Resolution No. 2022–169 approving the Workforce Development Framework and Spending Plan (item 2).
This plan also:
Authorizes the City Manager to transfer $2,750,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the budget of the ARPA Youth and Workforce Training Project.
Authorizes a workforce grant in the amount of $6,980,080 to Californians for all: Youth Workforce.
What are the goals of the project?
The main goals of the project seem to be centered around job stability and allowing members of the community to receive training and guidance towards career advancement.
Who is the target population for the project?
Ultimately, this project is directed towards youth in the community in need of workplace assistance. However, adults in the community will also benefit from ARPA Workforce funds.
The public voiced its need for equity in the community and backed the initiative proposed by the resolution. However, many public comments raised concerns over control of the funding. It would only be fair to fund community based organizations without requiring complete control them. Oftentimes racial motivations can be uncovered when the desire for control gets in the way of the ability of community orgs to attend to the needs of their community. This is always something to watch for.
Projects like these are important to our community. However, it is important to ensure that the right organizations are being funded and the City is providing these organizations with enough funds to serve the community to the full extent. Half attempts are not enough. It is also important to maintain a united front when it comes to supporting the youth of our community. One that is built on trust and not excessive policing of youth.
What's important to take away: we need to continue to monitor City Council ARPA funding decisions and advocate for them to be made through an equity lens.