FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2025
Contact
Lara Arsinian, Head of Marketing and Communications
press@opportunity.lacounty.go
LA County Now Accepting Bids for the LA:RISE Program
LA:RISE expands training and transitional work opportunities for individuals currently or previously experiencing homelessness with Employment Social Enterprises; Bids Due January 12, 2026, by 12:00 PM (PT)
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the official release of a new work order solicitation to join LA:RISE with LA County, LA City, REDF, and 40+ Employment Social Enterprises (ESE) and America’s Job Centers of California, expanding training, transitional employment, and pathways into high-growth careers and stable housing for individuals currently, formerly, or at risk of experiencing homelessness. In its first 10 years, the program and partnership served 9,500 local jobseekers and connected over 4,700 individuals to permanent, unsubsidized jobs to date, leveraging LA County’s Measure A and other diversified dollars.
The solicitation seeks qualified ESEs to enroll a minimum of 20 eligible participants for a total of 217 participants with $1.78 million available for awards. Awardees will fully implement the proven LA:RISE model with a focus on one or more high-growth or opportunity sectors that support long-term retention and advancement and economic mobility of graduates. The program includes the following pillars:
- 300 hours of Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE) that prepares and pays participants to build skills and competitiveness
- Sector-based training and credentials aligned with TSE assignments
- Strong employer and training partnerships, reflecting job quality standards
- Worker-centered supportive services that help remove barriers to employment
- Long-term job retention and advancement support
- Data-driven continuous improvement
- A supportive LA:RISE community of practice
Review the model and partners here: https://redf.org/larise/. LA:RISE expands and shows continued DEO investments in ESEs and TSE as effective workforce models, including recent awards of $7.5 million for the Reentry Employment, Navigation, Engagement, and Wellbeing (RENEW) program, focusing on positive employment outcomes for 740 justice-impacted individuals.
In addition to fully implementing the model, bidders must currently be on the County’s Social Enterprise Employment and Training Program Services Master Agreement and have significant experience in program management and with ESE delivery for priority populations in the last 5 years. For more information on the Social Enterprise Master Agreement, visit Master Agreements for Services – Doing Business with LA County.
Key Details:
- Bids Due: January 12, 2026, by 12:00 PM PT
- Written Questions Due: January 2, 2026, by 12:00 PM PT
- Anticipated Subaward Term: February 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026
- Available Funding: Up to $1.78 million
- Eligibility: Bidders must meet the minimum mandatory requirements outlined in Section 4.0 of the LA:RISE Work Order.
This Work Order is only available to organizations currently on the LA County Social Enterprise Master Agreement list. Organizations on the list will receive an email with the Work Order documents on December 23, 2025.
For further questions, contact DEO-PRO@opportunity.lacounty.gov.
###
About DEO: About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has a vision for a more equitable economy with thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and opportunity and mobility for all. The department, with its America’s Job Centers of California, Office of Small Business, and hundreds of programs and partners, creates quality jobs, helps small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and builds vibrant communities and spaces. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.