Equity and Special Populations PY 21-22

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN21-34

Issued: February 22, 2022

The Employment Development Department (EDD), in coordination with the California Workforce Development Board, and on behalf of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, is pleased to announce the award of $11,451,835 of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds for the Equity and Special Populations (ESP) grant for Program Year (PY) 2021-22. These funds will provide job training and employment opportunities to 2,530 individuals facing barriers to employment.

Funds will connect applicants and employers in the following California regions: Alameda, Contra Costa, Colusa, Fresno, Glenn, Imperial, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Merced, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Tulare, and Ventura. Nineteen organizations were selected for funding. All nineteen entities submitted proposals via a competitive process.

Awards range from $250,000-$1.5 million and will support projects to increase access for target populations, align WIOA programs, implement co-enrollment strategies, enhance partnerships, leverage other program funding, provide supportive services, and create onramps to high-quality jobs with sustainable wages. The ESP focuses on providing work-based learning opportunities to help participants from diverse special populations develop the skills necessary for employment in regionally in-demand industries. This program offers a chance to establish partnerships with WIOA Unified Strategic Plan partners, education and training providers, and community-based organizations and assist California communities economically impacted by the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

The EDD expects that the performance period will be between 18-24 months. A list of the awardees and descriptions of their projects is available on the EDD Workforce Development Solicitations for Proposals webpage. 

If you have any questions regarding the ESP grant solicitation, please email WSBGrants@edd.ca.gov.

/s/ KIMBERLEE MEYER, Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division