Oakland gets $12M to pay people on parole to clean highways

""In Oakland we are always proud to support community members who are trying to get on their feet and give back," Mayor Barbara Lee said in a press release on Wednesday. This contract will be administered by Oakland's Workforce Development Board, which oversees the city's employment and training programs. Lee has made local employment a key issue in her economic development plan. The city recently reinstated a summer youth employment program, and Lee's office plans to expand the program to serve 500 participants by 2026."

"The implementation of the program will be coordinated by the Center for Employment Opportunities, which has been Oakland's partner in this work since 2014. The "[Center's] accomplishments implementing this program with the City shows a consistent track record of meeting or exceeding all required deliverables and reporting requirements, and the organization maintains strong, positive relationships with Caltrans field supervisors," Oakland spokesperson Sean Maher told The Oaklandside."

"From July 2019 to December 2021, work crews removed over 121,876 bags of debris from Caltrans right of ways, according to the city. The program employed 621 people. The city also reported that 407 participants in the program were placed in permanent, unsubsidized jobs at an average wage of $17.86. In fiscal year 2024-2025, 268 people enrolled in the program, and 81 were eventually placed in permanent jobs."

Oakland secured $12.4 million in state funding to employ people on parole on Caltrans work crews through the Golden State Works program. Caltrans has spent $43.6 million in Oakland on the program since 2011. The contract will be administered by Oakland's Workforce Development Board and coordinated by the Center for Employment Opportunities, which has partnered with the city since 2014. From July 2019 to December 2021 crews removed over 121,876 bags of debris and employed 621 people. The city reported 407 permanent job placements at an average wage of $17.86; recent enrollments showed 268 participants with 81 permanent placements.

Read at The Oaklandside