Sponsor: Workforce Solutions
Title
title
Revenue Agreement with Saint Paul Public Schools for Earn as You Learn Program
end
Recommendation
recommendation
1. Authorize the County Manager to approve and execute a revenue agreement with Saint Paul Public Schools for Earn as You Learn Program for a total sum not to exceed $64,800, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
2. Authorize the County Manager to approve and execute amendments to renew the term of the agreement, increase funds or expand services, with all other terms and conditions remaining the same, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
end
Background and Rationale
body
As a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), local school districts received federal funding to support students with a variety of needs. Saint Paul Public Schools received funds through ARPA and the Minnesota Department of Education. District leadership has decided to invest some of these funds into the successful Earn as You Learn Program.
The Earn as You Learn Program, initially seeded with Ramsey County Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funds, provides high school students with the ability to obtain occupational certifications, such as OSHA-10, Microsoft certifications, etc. After students complete these certifications, students receive a gift card with funds to reward them for their efforts. Students complete the training and testing for these certifications outside of their classroom hours.
The Minnesota Department of Education has limited school district’s abilities to use ARPA funds to compensate students, including for extra-curricular academic activities, like those in the Earn as You Learn program. Due to this, Saint Paul Public Schools approached Ramsey County to support the program by administering the gift cards to students for a small administrative fee, as Ramsey County has the infrastructure available to accomplish these tasks.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Saint Paul Public School’s Earn as You Learn program has historically served a majority of students of color. When the program was funded by CARES funding in 2020, 85% of the 595 students served identified as “non-white”. By providing valuable occupational certifications to students, students will become more qualified and employable to ultimately enter living-wage career pathways. Additionally, the compensation provided to students will allow them to support their families, as needed.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This program is in direct response to the needs of both students and community partners. Community partner, Saint Paul Public Schools, is in need of services that Ramsey County can provide to support youth in the community.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Ramsey County will receive $64,800 through this agreement. $60,000 will be distributed to students via Visa gift cards and $4,800 will be retained to cover administrative expenses incurred in this project to the Finance department. This project will be administered by the Finance department.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Saint Paul Public Schools Independent Contractor Consulting Agreement