To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Michelle Revecho 707-565-1111, Katie Greaves 707-565-8501
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
A) Approve the Appointment of Lauren Bodsworth, Louis Ganzler, and Cynthia King to the Workforce Investment Board for a two-year term beginning June 10, 2024 through June 9, 2026.
B) Approve the Re-appointment of Thomas Stuebner for a two-year term beginning June 10, 2024 through June 9, 2026 to the Workforce Investment Board.
End
Executive Summary:
Approve the Appointment of Lauren Bodsworth, Louis Ganzler, and Cynthia King to the Workforce Investment Board for a two-year term beginning June 10, 2024 through June 9, 2026. Approve Re-appointment of Thomas Stuebner for a two-year term beginning June 10, 2024 through June 9, 2026.
Discussion:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal law designed to prepare youth and adults for entry into the labor force. The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and its American Job Center of California (AJCC), Job Link, provide support to both Sonoma County job seekers and businesses.
WIOA requires all local regions to create a board comprised of local business and community members to oversee and implement WIOA Title I programs. It also requires the appointment of a policy oversight body, and the WIB serves in this capacity for Sonoma County. The Human Services Department (HSD) is requesting the appointment of three new members and the reappointment of one member to the WIB.
The Employment and Training Division of HSD runs Job Link, where the public can access basic career search offerings such as workshops and job fairs. There are more intensive services offered to connect those looking for training, education, and work through WIOA programs. Employers can access Job Link Business Services, including funding specifically for different types of workforce training.
Efforts to fill the WIB seats are ongoing through referrals from current members and outreach to businesses, the public, workforce, and private nonprofit organizations. HSD also works closely with the Economic Development Board to identify business members appropriate for the business seats on the WIB.
Membership Criteria and Process for Recommending Members for Appointment
In accordance with the written agreement between the Board and the WIB, the WIB reviews and approves candidates’ applications for membership and forwards its recommendations to the Board for final approval and appointment.
The WIB consists of member categories in compliance with Workforce Act regulation. Business seats must comprise the majority and include representatives of business in the local area who are either owners, chief executives, or operating officers; those who represent businesses that provide employment opportunities which include high-quality, work-relevant training and development from in-demand industry sectors or occupations; or those that are nominated by local business organizations and trade associations. There are fifteen business seats representing 56% of the WIB.
Not less than 20% of the members of each local WIB must be representatives of the workforce within the local area, including representatives of labor organizations, apprenticeships, community-based organizations with experience and expertise in addressing the employment needs of individuals with barriers to employment, and representatives of organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or educational needs of youth. Within this workforce representative category, a minimum of 15% of the seats must represent labor organizations. There are eight workforce representative member seats, constituting 26% of the WIB. Five of the seats represent labor, constituting 19% of the WIB.
Each WIB must include representatives of entities administering education and training activities, including those administering adult education and literacy activities; representatives of institutions of higher education, including community colleges; and representatives of local educational agencies and community-based organizations addressing the education or training needs of individuals with barriers to employment. There are two education and training seats on the WIB.
Each WIB must include representatives of governmental and economic and community development entities; a representative from the state employment service office; a representative of the programs carried out under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; representatives of agencies administering transportation, housing, and public assistance programs; and representatives of philanthropic organizations serving the local area. There are currently three governmental and economic and community development seats on the WIB.
The WIB seeks business members who provide expertise in Sonoma County’s important or emerging employment sectors such as health care, hospitality, and the building and trades. Applications are reviewed by the WIB’s Executive Committee and then recommended to the Board for appointment. Current members in good standing are recommended for reappointment at the end of their term.
Member Appointment
Lauren Bodsworth currently serves as the Director of People and Culture at ESP Pros, a prominent security company based in Santa Rosa. With her extensive experience in human resources and organizational development, Ms. Bodsworth has been instrumental in fostering a positive workplace culture and driving employee engagement initiatives at ESP Pros. In her role, she oversees various aspects of talent management, including recruitment, training, and performance evaluation. As a seasoned professional in the business sector, Ms. Bodsworth brings invaluable insights into workforce dynamics and organizational management. Her expertise in human capital development and strategic leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the deliberations and decisions of the WIB as she fills a business seat.
Louis Ganzler serves as the Assistant Superintendent of the Sonoma County Office of Education. With a tenure in education since 1997, Mr. Ganzler has been instrumental in various capacities. As a teacher, he contributed to the creation of integrated academies blending a Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway with academic courses. Progressing to the role of principal, he spearheaded the development of 9th-grade academies that seamlessly merged academics with CTE content. Mr. Ganzler's leadership also facilitated the significant expansion of CTE pathways, resulting in more than doubling the offerings at the respective school site. Currently, Mr. Ganzler holds responsibility for overseeing college and career services for districts. This portfolio includes managing grants, cultivating pathway development, fostering communities of practice, facilitating work-based learning opportunities, ensuring A-G alignment, and providing technical assistance for CTE compliance. In his upcoming role, Mr. Ganzler will occupy a vital workforce/education seat on the WIB.
Cynthia King serves as the Executive Director of the Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County, a dedicated agency focused on reducing poverty levels within the community. Ms. King has been working for Bay Area county and nonprofit agencies for the last twenty years. She has developed an expertise in navigating the intersection of programs, data, collaboration, and strategy. Over the last five years she has worked in disaster response, recovery and preparedness across 5 counties and 20 disasters. Drawing from her expertise, Ms. King possesses a profound understanding of the hurdles and obstacles confronted by low-income individuals in their pursuit of employment opportunities. In her upcoming role, Ms. King will occupy a crucial business seat on the WIB.
Member Re-Appointment
Thomas Stuebner is the Chief Executive Director of California Human Development Corporation, which has been providing workforce development training to farmworkers and low-income individuals for over fifty years throughout Anthony Soto Employment and Training (ASET) Centers. Their mission is to create pathways to help people rise out of poverty and overcome barriers to employment and full community participation. Mr. Stuebner fills one of seven Workforce Representative seats on the WIB.
Prior Board Actions:
10-03-2023: Reappointed two members to the WIB
09-12-2023: Appointed two members and reappointed one member to WIB
01-10-2023: Reappointed nine members to the WIB
07-11-2023: Reappointed nine members to the WIB
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Proposed Workforce Investment Board Member Roster
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None