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Accept a grant award of $145,310 from the Office of Traffic Safety for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 to support the Solano Car Seat Connection program; and Approve a $108,983 Appropriation Transfer Request to recognize the unanticipated revenue (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors accept a grant award of $145,310 from the Office of Traffic Safety for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 to support the Solano Car Seat Connection program; and Approve a $108,983 Appropriation Transfer Request to recognize the unanticipated revenue (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS), Public Health Division, Health Promotion and Community Wellness Bureau/Vibe Solano, established the Solano Car Seat Connection program in 1996 in accordance with Senate Bill 1073 which allocates a portion of the fines collected from child safety seat violations. This provides a popular and acclaimed low-cost car seat program for lower-income Solano County residents. Qualifying families are eligible for low-cost car safety seats for infants and children through the age of eight years. Classes are also provided to learn how to correctly install the car safety seat and are scheduled in English and Spanish and are offered virtually and in-person throughout Solano County.
Through a competitive grant application process, Solano County received a notification on July 8, 2024, that it would receive an award allocation of $145,310 from the Office of Traffic Safety for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The grant funds will be used to teach car seat safety classes in person or virtually as needed and provide virtual or in-person inspections. The funds will assist in delivering services and will provide at least 125 low-cost car safety seats.
Solano Car Seat Connection aims to provide families with knowledge of car seat safety practices and proper car seat installation and use. Through education efforts and access to new low-cost car seats, the program assists Solano County residents including parents, caregivers, and family members who transport children in their vehicles.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Office of Traffic Safety has awarded $145,310 to Solano County for the Solano Car Seat Connection program. The grant is from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The ATR recognizes $108,983 in unanticipated revenue (75% of the grant award) for FY2024/25 and reduces the use of 1991 Public Health Realignment. The remaining grant amount of $36,327 will be part of the department’s FY2025/26 Requested Budget.
The cost of preparing this agenda item is nominal and is absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. There is no additional impact on the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve this Appropriation Transfer Request. This is not recommended as these funds represent an opportunity to provide protection for infants and children in a motor vehicle crash and to teach parents and caregivers on the importance of child car seat safety.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS worked with the Office of Traffic Safety on the development of a program work plan.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION