Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with the Food Bank of Monterey County for $130,750 to provide food access for county residents living at or below poverty level and to respond to the increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($13,075) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with the Food Bank of Monterey County for $130,750 to provide food access for county residents living at or below poverty level and to respond to the increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($13,075) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Community Action Partnership (MCCAP) in the Department of Social Services currently contracts with the Food Bank for Monterey County (FBMC) with Federal Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funding to provide food access for county residents living at or below poverty level. MCCAP was awarded additional CSBG funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and is seeking to supplement the FBMC’s $60,000 2021 CSBG contract with an additional $70,570 of 2020-2021 CARES Act CSBG funding for a contract total of $130,750.
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. 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. In total, MCCAP currently oversees 11 local agencies who have 2020 contracts to provide critical services for very low-income residents throughout Monterey County which were identified and chosen for the 2020-2021 term as a result of a competitive process to meet the service needs resulting from the biennial CAP.
On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the 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 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 from 100% to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) during Federal Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021.
On August 18, 2020, MCDSS secured board approval for the local plan developed to secure and administer CSBG supplemental funding. MCCAP’s current service providers are in a position to address services gaps and increased needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic because they are on the front line serving the county’s most vulnerable residents-those most affected by job losses and school closures. 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. The Food Bank has seen an increase in demand for food and a decline in the food resources due to school closures and reduction in supply available through other community organizations. The increased funding is aimed at supporting distribution sites added in response to COVID-19.
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.
The Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded with federal CSBG and CSBG CARES Act funds. There are sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for SOC007 included in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates with the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives 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
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Prepared by: Denise Vienne, Management Analyst x4484
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: Food Bank of Monterey County Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.