Agenda Item # 2
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
October 26, 2010
Agenda Report # 567
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Governor's Office of Employment & Development ? Grant
Application
INITIATED BY: Job Training Division
Recommendation: Approval is requested to accept a grant as fiscal agent of,
and if approved, accept a grant for $625,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor,
Office of Disability Employment Policy for the organization ?ASCEND? (Assisting
& Strengthening Corporations that Employ & Enable People with Disabilities).
Background: The purpose of ASCEND is to design, implement, and evaluate
innovative systems models that support integrated employment opportunities for
people with disabilities within targeted businesses. The consortium is
comprised of local, state and national organizations; in addition to nationally
well known and respected individuals (e.g. Cari Dominguez - former head of EOCC
and OFCCP).
Through funding appropriated by the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately
$2.3 million is available through the Office of Disability Employment Policy
(ODEP) to fund up to four cooperative agreements with consortia ranging from
$500,000 to $625,000. ASCEND has applied for a grant in the amount of $625,00
to design, implement, and evaluate innovative systems models that support
integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities within
targeted businesses.
Analysis: The U.S. Department of Labor (?DOL? or ?Department?), Office of
Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announces the availability of approximately
$2.3 million to fund up to four cooperative agreements with consortia ranging
from $500,000 to $625,000. The objectives of this initiative, are: 1) to
increase the ability of targeted businesses to employ adults and youth with
disabilities; 2) to develop and evaluate replicable models, strategies and
policies1 that would ensure that youth and adults from targeted populations
with disabilities have access to a broader range of employment and mentoring
opportunities; and 3) to form and strengthen connections between targeted
businesses, diversity-serving organizations, youth-serving organizations and
disability-serving organizations, building a national and local network of
experts skilled in serving individuals with disabilities.
No matching funds are required. The Columbus Consolidated Government will serve
only in the capacity of fiscal agent for the grant with oversight provided by
the members of ASCEND.
Financial Considerations: The proposed resolution will authorize the Columbus
Consolidated Government to accept, on the behalf of ASCEND, a discretionary
grant in the amount of $625,000 from the US Dept of Labor, Office of Disability
Employment Policy, and serve in the capacity of fiscal agent for such
organization. There is no matching fund requirement; therefore, there will be
no fiscal impact on the general fund by accepting this grant.
Legal Considerations: Approval of the grant will obligate the City to all
conditions of the grant award.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the Columbus Consolidated Government to
accept, if awarded to ASCEND, a discretionary grant from US Dept of Labor,
Office of Disability Employment Policy to said organization, in the amount of
$625,000, and to authorize the Columbus Consolidated Government to serve in the
capacity of fiscal agent for such organization
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT TO SERVE AS
FISCAL AGENT FOR ?ASCEND? (ASSISTING & STRENGTHENING CORPORATIONS THAT EMPLOY
AND ENABLE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES) FOR THE RECEIPT OF A DISCRETIONARY GRANT
IN THE AMOUNT OF $625,000 FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT
DISABILITY POLICY TO SAID AGENCY FOR PURPOSE OF DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING, AND
EVALUATING INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS MODELS THAT SUPPORT INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN TARGETED BUSINESSES. THERE
IS NO MATCHING FUND REQUIREMENT.
WHEREAS, the Columbus Consolidated Government and the Lower
Chattahoochee Workforce Board is committed to partnering and assisting in the
creation of best practices that improve employment outcomes for adults and
youth with disabilities from the targeted population groups; and,
WHEREAS, the organization ?ASCEND? has made application to the US Department of
Labor, Office of Employment Disability Policy for a discretionary grant in the
amount of $625,000 to design, implement, and evaluate innovative system models
that support integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities;
in addition to promoting partnerships with existing agencies that will only aid
in enhancing outcomes for people with disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, the Columbus Consolidated Government requests permission to serve as
fiscal agent for ?ASCEND? if said agency is approved for receipt of a
Discretionary Grant in the amount of $625,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the Columbus Consolidated Government to hereby authorized to
accept a discretionary grant in the amount of $625,00 from US Dept of Labor,
Office of Disability Employment Policy to accept, if awarded to ASCEND, and to
serve in the capacity of fiscal agent for said organization.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2010 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Counselor Anthony voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Hunter voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor
Attachments
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