Agenda

Return

C. 68

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	August 16, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

ACCEPT the Refugee Services Plan

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 08/16/2016

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
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Elaine Burres, 313-1717

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: August 16, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT the Refugee Services Plan for federal fiscal years 2016 through 2019 as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Department Director.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None

BACKGROUND:

Refugees have varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, English proficiency and literary levels, education and work experience, and barriers to employment, such as, emotional and mental health issues, domestic violence, and other family issues. Refugees enter the United States with authorization to work, and if working age, are expected to secure employment within one year of arrival. The goal of Refugee Social Services (RSS) in Contra Costa County (CCC) is to engage all eligible refugees in social services and work activities to prepare them for employment and the move into self-sufficiency.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

CCC has been experiencing a larger than normal influx of refugees, asylees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders over the last two years. In order to better serve the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) population, on May 10, 2016, the Board approved and authorized the Employment and Human Services Department to accept funding from the California Department of Social Services, Refugee Programs Bureau. Contra Costa County has selected to accept annual federal Office of Refugee Resettlement funding projected to be approximately $78,000 for federal fiscal year 2016-2017. As a condition of receiving this funding, the County is required to design an annual Refugee Services Plan covering the span of federal fiscal year 2016 through 2019 for the California Department of Social Services that describes the County's employment service delivery system for its refugee populations.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Not applicable.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Not applicable.