Workforce Partnership Initiative – Grant Opportunity

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN22-02

Issued: July 5, 2022

The Workforce Services Branch in collaboration with the California State Library would like to announce the Workforce Partnership Initiative grant opportunity. This initiative is designed to help public libraries leverage and enhance their resources to promote equitable economic recovery, increase local employment, and build regional capacity by partnering with Local Workforce Development Boards.

The Workforce Partnership Initiative encourages public libraries to become economic development leaders in their communities, enhancing their ability to support employment as California fights to recover from the effects of the pandemic. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funded Workforce Partnership Initiative will provide up to $20,000 in funding to successful awardees through a new Copycat grant model. Awardees will partner with their Local Workforce Development Board to promote employment, career development, and skill-building for job seekers through activities such as workshops and enhanced collections and resources. Awardees are expected to increase skills and confidence of job seekers navigating the job search process as well as increase skills and confidence of library staff in assisting unemployed and underemployed individuals.

Each library interested in applying for the Workforce Partnership Initiative Copycat grant is strongly encouraged to partner with their Local Workforce Development Board. A formal written agreement (such as a Memorandum of Understanding) and/or a letter of support is encouraged as part of the application for a grant. The agreement or letter should detail the responsibilities and contributions of each partner. Additional community connections might include local government agencies, employers, community colleges, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the Chamber of Commerce, SNAP Employment and Training, and the California State Library’s Career Pathways program.

Please note that applications are accepted from public libraries. Local Workforce Boards interested in establishing stronger partnerships with their local libraries as well as boards that want to continue established relationships are encouraged to reach out to their local library jurisdiction. For any further questions or if unsure about who to reach out to at the local library level, please email julianna.robbins@library.ca.gov.

 

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