County staff present contract to run summer youth employment program for 215 participants

Heather Yani, executive of the Department of Job and Family Services, presented a contract proposal to operate the county's summer youth employment program and described changes from last year.

Yani said the program this year aims to enroll 215 participants for June 9–Aug. 2, with pay of $15 per hour for up to 20 hours per week. "The summer youth allocation only hopefully, we'll reimburse those for $12 an hour from the state, so we have to pay the additional $3 out of our general tenant funds," she said, describing a reimbursement cap for the state-funded portion of the program for the 16–18 age group.

The presentation said last year the agency served more than 250 youth and that the program maintains a broad employer network. The contractor named in the agenda is responsible for employer recruitment, job matching, keeping work slots filled and providing the payroll paperwork, Yani said. She also said the county tries to match youth with career pathways when possible and supports participants with transportation when needed.

Yani told the board the program has a larger year-round operation in addition to the summer slots, and that funding pressures required reducing this year's enrollment target from the prior year's level. "We are very grateful for that support," Yani said, thanking the board and county executive for backing the agency's work.

No formal vote or final action on the contract was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt; Yani's presentation was the substantive item on the agenda at that time.

Ending: The contract presentation outlined program dates, eligibility and funding limits; the transcript did not record a board vote or the contract's final approval in the excerpt provided.