Agenda

Return

C. 10

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	May 18, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Appoint Community Services Director in the Employment and Human Services Department

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/18/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Reni Radeva (925) 608-5036; rradeva@ehsd.cccounty.us

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: May 18, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPOINT Aaron Alarcon-Bowen as the Community Services Director - Exempt (CCD1, pos. #1123) in the Employment and Human Services Department, at step five (5) of the Salary Plan and Grade B85 2113 ($10,663 - $13,609) and including all Benefits as applicable to the Classification of Community Services Director - Exempt, effective June 1, 2021, as recommended by the Director of Employment and Human Services.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

The Head Start Act of 2007, Section 642(c)(1)(E)(IX) dictates that the Head Start Governing Board must approve personnel policies and procedures. On July 30, 2019 (item C. 56), the Board of Supervisors approved the Community Services Bureau’s (CSB) 2019-2021 Policies and Procedures Manual. According to “Section 2 Program Operations” of the Manual, “The Board of Supervisors, upon the recommendation of the Employment and Human Services Director, reserves the exclusive right to hire, evaluate, compensate or release the CSB Director (HS/EHS Director)…”. In accordance with this policy, The Employment and Human Services Director is recommending the appointment of Aaron Alarcon-Bowen as the Director of the Community Services Bureau of the Employment and Human Services Department.

The CSB Director position is currently vacant due to the resignation of the former Director in July 2020. Aaron Alarcon-Bowen is recommended for the position by a three-person panel that included the Employment and Human Services Department Director, the Director of Children and Family Services, and a former Director of a county Community Action Agency. The following attributes contributed to the selection of Mr. Alarcon-Bowen: Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication; Master’s Degree in Public Administration; near completion of PhD in Public Policy and Administration; twenty (20) years of experience working in public service, most recently as Executive Director of In-Home Support Services Public Authority of Marin County and Family Services Director of Catholic Charities of Dallas, Texas; strong commitment to addressing issues of poverty; demonstrated ability to build coalitions and relationships.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Without Board appointment of the CSB Director, the Department would be out of compliance with Head Start Act of 2007, Section 642(c)(1)(E)(IX).

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Employment & Human Services Department Community Services Bureau supports three of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes - Outcome 1: “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School,”
Outcome 3: “Families that are Economically Self-sufficient,” and, Outcome 4: “Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing.” These outcomes are achieved by offering comprehensive services, including
high quality early childhood education, nutrition, and health services to low-income children throughout Contra Costa County.