Agenda

Return

C. 96

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Nathan Johnson, Veterans Services Officer
Date:	June 18, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Gift Cards for Clients of the Veterans Service Office

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/18/2019

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:

Nathan Johnson, 3-1481

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: June 18, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of the Veterans Service Office, to purchase 40 Safeway gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $2,000, 40 Chevron gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $2,000, and 20 Clipper cards gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $1,000, as recommended by the Veterans Service Office Director.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This $5,000 expenditure will be entirely funded by State Proposition 63, Mental Health Services Act funding.

BACKGROUND:

The Veterans Service Office (VSO) will distribute gift cards to support Veterans in need. They are intended to incentivize a person who is destitute to seek housing, seek VA healthcare, and ensure that their basic needs are met on a temporary basis. The Veteran population served by the VSO have varying challenges and needs. A typical gift card recipient is a person who is homeless, at risk of homelessness, low income, or experiencing an emotional crisis. These gift cards will aid the VSO's ability to provide services supporting mental health and relieve the immediate needs of Veterans throughout the County.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The VSO has written policy on proper controls for tracking and distributing gift cards, which it will implement and enforce. No individual Veteran shall receive more than $150 in gift cards in one calendar year.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The VSO's ability to provide assistance to the County's most in need Veteran population will be impeded.