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Authorize the County’s contributions of $4,500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit the following organizations: including the Suisun City Youth Commission ($1,500), CASA of Solano County ($1,000), Victims Empowerment Support Team ($1,000), and Families Helping Families ($1,000)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Ramirez requests that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County’s contribution of $4,500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit the following organizations: including the Suisun City Youth Commission ($1,500), CASA of Solano County ($1,000), Victims Empowerment Support Team ($1,000), and Families Helping Families ($1,000)
SUMMARY/ DISCUSSION:
The four (4) groups identified by District 3 for its non-county contribution allocation are local non-profits or organizations that enrich Solano County either through educational programs or community support.
Suisun City Youth Commission, $1,500
The Suisun City Youth Commission (SCYC) serves both Suisun City youth and students attending Suisun City schools, along with their friends, fostering a sense of community and belonging. SCYC directly contributes to the community's healthy and sustainable development, by encouraging peer-to-peer self-development and strengthening positive relationships between youth and adults. Through collaboration with a variety of youth public benefit organizations - such as Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, 4-H, Red Cross Clubs, Solano Land Trust, and more - SCYC provides valuable opportunities for leadership, teamwork, and personal growth.
The seven cornerstones of SCYC are: Community Service, Youth Clubs, Performing Arts, Student Service Organizations, Sports, Community Resources, and Project Management. These foundational elements promote prosocial friendships, strengthen interpersonal connections, and instill a sense of hope for the future in local youth. The funds will directly support programs that enhance the lives of our youth and help SCYC to continue its mission of "Empowering youth with tools to engage in meaningful discussion that inspires action to grow and enhance knowledge about the Suisun City Community and the world."
CASA of Solano County, $1,000
CASA of Solano County speaks for the best interest of abused and neglected children and youth in the foster care system by training volunteers to advocate for their safety and well-being through the courts, in schools, and in our community.
In support of this mission, CASA of Solano County is committed to the following:
• Advocate for the best interest of children and youth.
• Recruit, screen and train a diverse community of volunteers to act as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s).
• Provide comprehensive training programs to educate volunteer advocates.
• Provide ongoing support to CASA volunteers and staff.
• Create and maintain public awareness and educate the community regarding child abuse and neglect.
• CASA strives to provide diversity, equity and inclusion in all facets of our work including the recruitment of volunteers and board members in order to meet the needs of the diverse population we serve.
• Create, maintain and discover relationships with public and private agencies/organizations and individuals to support the mission of CASA of Solano County
• Act in liaison with, and at the direction of, the Juvenile Court Judge.
These funds will be used to help abused and neglected children find more CASA volunteers.
Victims Empowerment Support Team, $1,000
Victims Empowerment Support Team (VEST) is dedicated to minimizing violence against all victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Solano County, and improving their quality of life through education, support, advocacy, and empowerment. VEST envisions a community free from domestic violence, where every individual can live with safety, dignity, and peace.
VEST provides critical services to help victims regain control of their lives, offering empowerment programs and tailored support for women, men, teens, and children who have survived domestic violence or sexual assault. The organization recognizes that violence is not just a personal issue, but impacts entire communities and future generations. If left unaddressed, it can hinder community strength and impede the prospects of a brighter future. To combat these challenges, VEST is actively mobilizes partnerships across Solano, Sonoma, and surrounding counties to provide comprehensive support. These funds will be used to provide vital assistance to adults and children in our community who need to escape domestic violence and/or deal with the trauma of sexual assault, ensuring they have access to the resources and support necessary to rebuild their lives.
Families Helping Families, $1,000
Families Helping Families (FHF) was founded in 1985 by a group of Anheuser Busch employees who wanted to give back to their community. They began by helping to feed those in need, and in their first year, they raised enough donations to provide Thanksgiving dinner baskets for three families.
In the past year, through generous donations from both employees and employers, as well as various fundraising events, FHF raised enough funds to provide 400 Solano County families with a complete Thanksgiving meal and an additional two weeks’ worth of food for a family of four. They also distributed $100 food cards to 100 seniors during the holiday season. Over the past 39 years, FHF has donated $1,000,000 back into the community. Every contribution makes a difference, as it only takes $135 to feed a family of four for two weeks. These funds will be used to assist Families Helping Families continue their vital work of providing food assistance to Solano County families, especially as the winter months and holiday season approach.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the FY2024/25 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $75,000, $15,000 to each supervisorial district, to allow Board members to support community service programs. The Board directed County Counsel to provide guidelines on how to recommend funding for qualifying agencies or programs. The Guidelines are as follows:
1.) Each supervisor must submit the proposed expenditure to County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller for initial review.
2.) The Board must approve the expenditure by a majority vote.
3.) The Board must determine that the expenditure is for a public purpose.
4.) The Board may authorize an expenditure of public funds to a nonprofit organization so long as the County retains ultimate control over the exercise of judgment and discretion of the intended program.
5.) To ensure accountability, all expenditures are subject to periodic audit by the Auditor-Controller; and
a. If the recipient provides an activity, program or service (“activity”), it shall provide an activity report within 30 days of the activity that states the number of persons attending (if applicable) or participating activities carried out, feedback from participants (if applicable) and benefits of the activity. The recipient’s failure to provide a report may result in its being considered ineligible for future funding.
b. If the recipient is purchasing property or making improvements, it shall use the funds for only the specified purposes and allow representatives of the county to inspect and/or audit the purchase or the contractor’s performance, the facility or the portion improved with the funds and/or the records pertaining to the expenditures. The recipient shall retain for inspection and audit purposes any and all books, receipts, documentation and other records of the expenditures for three (3) years from date of receiving funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The expenditures for the $4,500 contributions are included in the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to authorize this expenditure; however, this is not recommended as this item is consistent with Board policy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in coordination with the County Administrator’s Office, County Auditor-Controller’s Office, County Counsel, and Solano Youth Coalition.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION