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Authorize the County's contribution of $500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit Connections for Life
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Jim Spering requests the Board authorize the County's contribution of $500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit Connections for Life.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Justification:
Connections for Life (CFL) is a non-profit organization that helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities become more independent by creating support systems customized to each-individual. Through these services, people with disabilities experience a better quality of life and enjoy expanded opportunities for personal freedom and choice, including the choice to live in an integrated community with their non-disabled peers. CFL staff work with all adults no matter the nature or severity of their disability.
With a staff of about 110 people, Connections for Life is currently serving 94 adults in Solano County. Some adults require 24-hour a day support, while others only require 9 hours per week. The staff assesses each person to determine what is needed.
Like all organizations, CFL has been tremendously impacted by the pandemic. The staff are working overtime to meet the needs of the people they serve who have had job losses and routines changed triggering mental health challenges and jeopardizing their ability to remain in independent living situations.
These funds will be used as a partial match along with other funding to provide a special emergency relief program during this pandemic for each CFL client and their CFL provider to boost their sense of being connected and valued during this period of self-isolation.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the 2019/2020 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $5,000 for each supervisorial district, to allow Board members the discretion to support community service programs within their district. Each district must adhere to the following County Counsel guidelines in awarding a grant from this appropriation:
1) Each supervisor must submit the proposed expenditure to the 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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the $500 funding request, however, this is not recommended, as each Board District is appropriated funds to support community service programs within their district.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in coordination with the County Administrator’s Office, County Auditor-Controller’s Office and County Counsel.