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Approve contract amendment between First 5 Solano and Interfaith Council of Solano County totaling $75,000 in new funds, from $116,605 to $191,605 for the period of March 27, 2012 through June 30, 2012, to assist homeless families with children 0-5 transition to permanent housing.
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Published Notice Required? Yes_______ No X_____
Public Hearing Required? Yes_______ No X_____
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission recommend that the Board approve a contract amendment between First 5 Solano and Interfaith Council of Solano County totaling $75,000 in new funds, from $116,605 to $191,605 for the period of March 27, 2012 through June 30, 2012 for assisting homeless families with children 0-5 transition to permanent housing.
SUMMARY:
In June 2010, the First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission (Commission) allocated a $1 million "Community Stability Fund" to address short-term community need resulting from the economic downturn. This fund provided a proactive vehicle for the Commission to protect its current investments and support the overall safety and well-being of the county's youngest children, their families and providers of services.
In October 2011, the Commission approved deployment of up to $75,000 (FY2011/12) to the Interfaith Council of Solano County (ICSC) to assist homeless families transitioning to permanent housing. This submittal addresses an amendment to the existing contract between First 5 Solano and the Interfaith Council of Solano County to deploy these additional funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for this activity is included in the First 5 Solano Commission's FY2011/12 approved budget. First 5 Solano is funded by "Proposition 10" tobacco tax revenues. There is no cost to the General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and improving early childhood development by fostering and partnering with community resources and programs that support healthy children, families, and community. To achieve these goals, the Commission uses a community-driven strategic planning process to develop its priorities, goals, results expected, and program or initiative areas to be funded. The Commission also relies on its long-term financial plan and mid-term program investment plan to allocate funds and establish services.
In FY2009/10, the Commission established a $1 million Community Stability Fund (CSF) for uses such as one-time assistance to expectant parents, children aged 0-5 and their families who have urgent basic needs, including rental or other housing assistance to avoid eviction/foreclosure, utility shutoffs, food and transportation. These additional resources are targeted to families that are adversely impacted by the economic downturn. The additional funds--$75,000 for the remainder of FY2011/12 - will be deployed via Interfaith Council of Solano County (ICFC), which operates Heather House homeless shelter, to provide housing resources to assist homeless families to permanent housing. ICFC will manage these funds and also process referrals from other homeless shelters in the county.
The existing Contract and scope of work has been expanded and modified. This expanded grant will continue to conform to First 5 Solano reporting and evaluation policies, including reports on the challenges and benefits of their projects, as well as submission of demographic and aggregate data on services and performance measures data. This grant will be assessed for accountability and outcomes achieved along with other First 5 investments as part of the overall First 5 Solano evaluation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could request clarification of any contract amendment or remand any contract amendment back to the Department for revision. This is not recommended because this will result in the delay of new services, with negative consequences for young children and their families.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This contract amendment has been reviewed by County Counsel.
APPROVE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION