Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the release of the Community Development Division's (CDD) 2026 Employment and Career Development Services RFP and directs staff to evaluate the proposals and to develop a funding recommendation for community agencies based on the RFPs. The RFP is for the allocation of funding beginning on January 1, 2027. The last RFP for Employment and Career Development Services was in 2022 for contracts beginning on Jaunary 1, 2023.
CDD's 2026 Adopted Operating Budget includes approximately $1.99 million for community agency contracts funded through RFP. The agency expects the same level of funding to continue for 2027; this will be submitted as part of the agency's 2027 Operating Budget request. The availability of the $1.99 million for this RFP is contingent on the Common Council adopting the same level of funding in 2027. No additional appropriation required at this time.
Title
Authorizing the Community Development Division to release the 2026 Employment and Career Development Services Request for Proposals (RFP), and directing staff to evaluate responses to the RFP and formulate recommendations regarding the allocation of available funding for review and approval by the Common Council.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Community Development Division (CDD) administers funding authorized by the Common Council to support Employment and Career Development Services designed to assist residents in accessing employment opportunities, including job readiness, career navigation, industry-specific training, and financial literacy-and achieving long-term financial stability; and,
WHEREAS, the City’s 2026 Adopted Operating Budget includes up to $1,988,536 to support Employment and Career Development Services, a commitment expected to continue in 2027 pending Council adoption of the City’s 2027 Operating Budget; and,
WHEREAS, CDD has historically funded a continuum of employment services for youth, young adults, and adults, including employment readiness, career exploration, job training, and financial empowerment services; and,
WHEREAS, in 2015, the Urban League of Greater Madison was selected through an RFP process to operate the Southwest Madison Employment Center (SWEC), a role it has continued to this date; and,
WHEREAS, CDD recommends the selection of an operator for the SWEC be again made the subject of an RFP process and that it be incorporated into the 2026 Employment and Career Development Services RFP in order to better align CDD’s employment services portfolio under one funding process; and,
WHEREAS, the City continues to experience significant racial and economic disparities in employment, income, and educational attainment, with data demonstrating persistent gaps in outcomes for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), low-income residents, and other populations facing barriers to employment; and,
WHEREAS, CDD has reviewed data from currently funded employment services programs, including participation and completion rates, credential attainment, and employment outcomes to better understand trends, gaps, and opportunities to strengthen service delivery; and,
WHEREAS, CDD has also incorporated community voice and input through local surveys, workforce analyses, focus groups, and partner engagement, which collectively emphasize the need for accessible, culturally responsive employment services that support economic mobility and financial security; and,
WHEREAS, the 2026 Employment and Career Development Services RFP maintains the City’s commitment to funding a coordinated continuum of services and organizes investments across four priority areas: Youth Employment Services, Young Adult Employment Services, Adult Employment Services, and the operation of the Southwest Madison Employment Center; and,
WHEREAS, the RFP also includes the City’s Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program, a key initiative providing paid work experience and career exposure for high school-aged youth facing barriers to employment; and,
WHEREAS, the 2026 RFP places an intentional focus on upward mobility, defined as supporting residents in preparing for, securing, retaining, and advancing in employment that leads to family-sustaining wages and long-term financial stability; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed RFP reflects several targeted enhancements to strengthen outcomes and align services with current needs, including:
• Incorporating existing funding for the Operator of the Southwest Madison Employment Center into the broader Employment and Career Development Services RFP to align CDD’s employment portfolio under one funding process;
• Reinforcing the connection between employment services and financial stability through implementation of a Financial Empowerment Center within the Southwest Madison Employment Center;
• Expanding access to youth internship opportunities by strengthening partnerships with community-based organizations and neighborhood-based providers;
• Prioritizing outreach and engagement strategies for residents who are disconnected from education and employment, including youth and young adults;
• Strengthening pathways that connect education, credential attainment, and employment outcomes across the service continuum;
• Clarifying the City’s expectations for how funded programs contribute to long-term economic mobility and workforce participation; and
• Expanding the use of the Most Information System database (MIS) to strengthen data collection, reporting, and analysis of program outputs and outcomes; and,
WHEREAS, the 2026 RFP builds on the City’s existing employment services portfolio while more clearly articulating how investments support residents in achieving stable employment, increasing earnings, and improving financial well-being.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council authorizes the Community Development Division to release the 2026 Employment and Career Development Services Request for Proposals (RFP), making available up to $1,988,536 of City funds and incorporating the priorities and enhancements described above; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council directs CDD staff, in consultation with the Community Resources Committee, to evaluate responses to the RFP and develop funding allocation recommendations for review and approval by the Council.