RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
REFER three new issues to the 2015 Family and Human Services Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact from this referral. Some minimal amount of staff time will be required for the preparation of reports.
BACKGROUND:
REFERRALS TO BE CONTINUED
It is recommended that the following referrals be carried forward from the 2014 Family and Human Services Committee to the 2015 Committee:
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Referral #5 – Continuum of Care Plan for the Homeless/Healthcare for the Homeless
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Referral #20 – Public Service Portion of the CDBG
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Referral #25 – Child Care Planning/Development Council Membership
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Referral #44 – Challenges for EHSD
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Referral #45 – Elder Abuse
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Referral #56 – East Bay Stand Down for Homeless Veterans (Bi-annual)
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Referral #61 – HIV Prevention/Needle Exchange Program
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Referral #78 – Community Services Bureau/Head Start Oversight
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Referral #81 – Local Child Care & Development Planning Council Activities
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Referral #82 – Secondhand Smoke Ordinance
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Referral #92 – Local Planning Council – Child Care Needs Assessment
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Referral #93 – Independent Living Skills Program
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Referral #101 – FACT Committee At-Large Appointments
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Referral #103 – SNAP Program (Food Stamps)
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Referral #107 – Laura’s Law
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Referral #108 – Call Center Oversight
Between January and December 2014, the Family and Human Services Committee (FHS) heard eighteen separate reports in addition to making recommendations for appointments to various County boards and commissions. Two referrals have arrived at the point where they no longer need to be heard at the committee level:
1. Referral #1 – Child Care Affordability Fund
In 1991, the Board of Supervisors earmarked $250,000 of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from the Embassy Suites Hotel to support/expand county-wide child care for low-income families. In 1997, the Board approved a recommendation from the Family and Human Services Committee that the Family and Children’s Trust Committee (FACT) be responsible for establishing priorities for use of the Child Care Affordability funds, developing and managing the competitive process for awarding these monies, and monitoring the resulting programs for contract compliance and achievement of outcomes. In 2002, the Board approved a two-year funding cycle for disbursement of the funds.
In July 1, 2008 the 2008-2009 County budget modified the funding stream such that Childcare Affordability funds would no longer be generated from the revenue of the Transient Occupancy Tax but, instead, be funded by residual funds in the County Employee’s Dependent Care Account. Up to a maximum of $250,000 has been transferred to EHSD each year from the Dependent Care account, to support the Childcare Affordability contracts, depending upon the balance in the fund.
The change in funding stream has resulted in the depletion at the end of 2014. The Employee’s Dependent Care Account generates very little revenue and is insufficient to continue funding the program services provided.
2. Referral #2 – Oversight of the Service Integration Projects
The oversight of the Service Integration Team (SIT) was originally referred to FHS on November 5, 1996. Since that time it has successfully transitioned to SparkPoint in East County and is being rethought in North Richmond. There is no longer participation from County departments other than the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD).
NEW REFERRALS
Staff is recommending that the Family and Human Services Committee request the Board of Supervisors refer to them the oversight of three new items:
1. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Congress passed the Act by a wide bipartisan majority; it is the first legislative reform in 15 years of the public workforce system. WIOA will have a significant impact on EHSD and the way the Workforce Development Board does its work. Updating those changes would be of benefit to the FHS Committee.
2. Innovative Community Partnerships
EHSD seeks to partner with nonprofits, businesses, faith groups, philanthropic organizations and others in an effort to improve big social problems. This FHS agenda item will give EHSD an opportunity to update the committee on innovative partnerships that support our residents.
3. Family Justice Center & Commercially Sexually Exploited Children
EHSD, through Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence, is leading efforts to enhance and build a Family Justice Center (FJC) network in Contra Costa. Currently there is an FJC in Richmond, and one in development in Concord. These are multi sector/department initiatives with high visibility. Additionally efforts to develop and accelerate more services for commercially sexually exploited children are underway and EHSD seeks to apprise FHS of that work in 2015.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTING
During the December 8, 2016 meeting of the Family and Human Services Committee the committee directed Health Services Department staff to begin reporting to them bi-annually regarding Referral #61 - HIV Prevention/Needle Exchange Program and to submit a report directly to the Board of Supervisor in the intervening years. When this referral was first made, the program was new and funding for the program was inadequate. Since that time funding has stabilized and the program is running well. The Committee felt that a bi-annual report was sufficient.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The preferences of the Board of Supervisors will not be made clear regarding the current and future workload of the Committee.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.