Agenda

Return

C. 48

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	April 14, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

USAC grant for telecommunications and internet services

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 04/14/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor

ABSENT:

Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	CSB (925) 681-6304
cc:	Jagjit Bhambra Cassandra Youngblood

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: April 14, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment & Human Services Department Director, or designee, to apply for and accept funding from the Universal Service Administrative Company of the Federal Communications Commission, in an amount not to exceed $1,5000,000 for telecommunication, internet access and internal connection services for the Community Services Bureau programs during the term July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

FISCAL IMPACT:

100% Federal funding
Universal Service Administrative Company / Federal Communications Commission / Schools & Libraries Division

No County match

BACKGROUND:

The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly known as "E-Rate," is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. It is one of four support programs funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services.

The Schools and Libraries Program supports connectivity - the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet. Funding is requested under four categories of service: telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services. The Department is applying for the grant in three areas; telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections. Total funding request is $ 1,500,000

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, Department will not be able to receive funding for telecommunication programs.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

None