Council Considers Expanding Employment Program to Valley

The Los Angeles City Council will consider Aug. 20 accepting a Workforce Investment Act grant that would fund the expansion of a Los Angeles employment program to WorkSource centers in the San Fernando Valley. The grant for $522,065 from the California Employment Development Department would be used to implement the New Start Los Angeles program at four local centers in Canoga Park-West Hills; Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks; Chatsworth-Northridge; and Sun Valley. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council adopted the first Workforce Investment Act grant to start the program in South Los Angeles in 2009. The first grant’s term ended in June this year, and a second grant agreement extends until June 2011. The Community Development Department is requesting authority to amend existing agreements with three contractors to fund the program at the four centers in the San Fernando Valley and to continue expansion. Jessica Selva