Title
Consider a Resolution to:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to execute funding agreement 20F-3666 with the California Department of Community Services and Development for $699,580 of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to address services gaps in the Community Action Partnership network in response to the coronavirus pandemic, retroactively to March 27, 2020 through May 31, 2022;
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this funding agreement where the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work;
c. Approve an increase in appropriations and estimated revenues of $350,000 for Social Services - Community Action Partnership Budget Unit 008-5010-SOC007-8257 in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget (4/5ths vote required); and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations and estimated revenues by $350,000 in Social Services - Community Action Partnership Budget Unit 008-5010-SOC007-8257 (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to execute funding agreement 20F-3666 with the California Department of Community Services and Development for $699,580 of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to address services gaps in the Community Action Partnership network in response to the coronavirus pandemic, retroactively to March 27, 2020 through May 31, 2022;
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this funding agreement where the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work;
c. Approve an increase in appropriations and estimated revenues of $350,000 for Social Services - Community Action Partnership Budget Unit 008-5010-SOC007-8257 in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget (4/5ths vote required); and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations and estimated revenues by $350,000 in Social Services - Community Action Partnership Budget Unit 008-5010-SOC007-8257 (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Community Action Partnership (MCCAP) within the Department of Social Services (DSS) administers federal community service block grant (CSBG) funds allocated to the county by the California state Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). CSBG funds are used to provide services to residents of Monterey County living at or below poverty level for the purpose of promoting self-sufficiency.
On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which appropriated supplemental CSBG funds to all 50 states, “to prevent, respond to, or prepare for coronavirus.” CSD allocated Monterey County $699,580 of the 2020 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) contract funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CSBG CARES supplemental funds are designed to address the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 and are required to follow the rules and guidelines of regular annual CSBG funding. In addition, the Office of Community Services has issued guidance allowing states to increase the CSBG income eligibility limit to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) during Federal Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021.
DSS is requesting board approval for the local plan developed to secure and administer CSBG supplemental funding. Every CSBG Agency must develop and submit a CSBG CARES Supplemental Fund Local Plan. The local plan is a federal requirement of CSBG CARES funding and describes how the County’s CSBG service area and population has been impacted by COVID-19. MCCAP, DSS’s CSBG Agency, submits regular biennial Community Action Plans (CAP) to guide services that address ongoing or emergent causes and conditions of poverty in our county. The 2020-2021 CAP directs CSBG funds and leverages county resources to support nutrition, emergency shelters, youth and DV shelters, housing support, services for seniors, youth and family counseling, rental support, financial education, and youth employment services. These poverty programs and the vulnerable population they serve have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and the state and county response to COVID-19. Job losses and school closures have not only increased the demand for services among current clients, but also greatly increased the number of residents eligible for emergency services. At the same time, COVID-19 response protocols have strained and challenged the county’s network of service providers by limiting or halting in-person services and reducing or eliminating volunteers, donations, and access to services. As a guide for addressing the effects of COVID-19 on low-income residents in our community, DSS’s local plan seeks to address gaps in services, increased need for services, and operational challenges faced by partner agencies in providing services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
CSBG funding requires intergovernmental coordination, including adherence to state and federal reporting requirements. Development and implementation of the CSBG local plan requires departmental coordination, both within DSS and across the county, and amongst the county’s network of service providers.
FINANCING:
The increase in appropriations/revenues is based upon the new funding agreement of $699,580 received from the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The CSBG - CARES funding agreement is funded by federal CARES Act funds through the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) for the term of March 27, 2020 through May 31, 2022. CSD will be issuing out a working capital advance payment once the contract is executed. The Department is recommending an increase of appropriations and revenues of $350,000 for the Social Services - Community Action Partnership Budget Unit 008-5010-SOC007-8257 in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget, and the remaining funding will be incorporated into FY 2021-22 Budget Request.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This action correlates to the Administration and Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Department to continue to receive State and federal funding to provide programs and services to the residents of the County.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Denise Vienne, Management Analyst, x4484
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: Resolution, CSBG CARES Agreement, Local Plan, and State Budget
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board