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Authorize the County’s contribution of $1,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit recipients of the Jose Escarsega Scholarship fund administered by Grandparents and Relatives In Need (GRIN)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Thomson requests that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County’s contribution of $1,000 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit recipients of the Jose Escarsega Scholarship fund administered by Grandparents and Relatives In Need (GRIN).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Justification:
Grandparents and Relatives In Need (GRIN) is a Solano County organization providing support to grandparents and relative caregivers who are raising and providing permanency for at-risk children. These non-parent caregivers, through providing connections to services and maintaining healthy relationships and support systems, are ensuring at-risk children in their care are able to thrive in adulthood and become successful parents themselves.
The Jose Escarsega Scholarship will be awarded to students who are completing high school under the care of their grandparents, or other non-parental caregivers, and can demonstrate how this relationship has positively impacted their development into adulthood and provided the opportunity for the student to demonstrate excellence academically, athletically, or through service in their school or community. Scholarship awards will be issued for students pursuing a degree through an accredited two- or four-year college or university.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the 2016/17 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $25,000; $5,000 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 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; 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:
This expenditure is included in the District 5 FY2016/17 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 and County Counsel.