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CWDB discusses wildfire response in Los Angeles region; staff and partners working on extensions, relief and recovery funding
Summary
Board members and staff reviewed ongoing workforce responses to the recent Los Angeles wildfires, including support for affected grantees, LA RISE funding for small businesses and plans for displaced-worker assistance and recovery coordination.
Board staff and members spent a substantive portion of the March 26 meeting reviewing workforce responses to the recent Los Angeles wildfires and the related relief and recovery efforts in the region.
Staff told the board the agency has identified 47 grantees in the Los Angeles area affected by the fires and is working on contract amendments and possible extensions so those providers can complete their work. The board's staff said three of the 47 grantees are subject to encumbrance deadlines this fiscal year and those are current priorities.
Board members and local partners described local recovery coordination. Speakers said $10 million from the LA RISE initiative supplemented a separate Los Angeles Region Worker and Small Business Relief Fund that drew philanthropic and city/county dollars. Staff and local partners said that the funds helped stand up four impacted worker and family recovery centers using work source centers and local partner networks to provide direct services.
Board members asked about data and labor demand. Staff said the Employment Development Department (EDD) is completing a supply-and-demand assessment for the Los Angeles area; the final report was described as forthcoming and will be used to guide recovery-focused workforce planning. Staff also said they are seeking additional supplemental funds, monitoring federal relief options and tracking state legislative proposals that could allocate additional resources to displaced and underemployed workers.
Board discussion touched on workforce strategies beyond immediate relief. Members discussed crew-based work and brush-clearance programs for the urban-wildland interface, the possibility of standing up a fire corps, and the potential to direct recovery and workforce funding toward climate-resilient rebuilding. One board member offered to convene stakeholders and asked interested members to follow up; another highlighted Prop. 4 funding streams for wildfire mitigation and urged engagement with subcommittee staff developing allocation plans.
Why it matters: The wildfire response affects workers, small businesses and service providers across Los Angeles; board coordination can help direct state, federal and philanthropic funding to training, rapid response and recovery efforts.
Next steps: Staff said it will continue contract amendments as needed, seek supplemental funding, coordinate with EDD and local partners on the demand assessment, and bring updates to future board meetings or working groups.
