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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 2019 as National County Government Month in Solano County (Chairwoman Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 2019 as National County Government Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
April 2019 marks the 28th anniversary of National County Government Month, sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and established to increase public awareness and understanding of the value of the responsibilities vested in county government. Counties play a critical role in the lives of their residents by protecting and enhancing the health, safety and well-being of their residents in practical, cost-effective ways.
This year’s National County Government Month theme is “Connecting the Unconnected,” including many ways counties connect people in our society. Solano County’s approximately 3,000 employees know the power and benefit of local government, and therefore work hard administer, promote and connect Solano County residents to the programs and services they need to thrive, including low-income, residential, employment and housing assistance, health and wellness programs, law and justice services, recreational and tourism amenities and access to financial and safety net services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to the County regarding the adoption of this resolution other than the staff time to prepare this report.
DISCUSSION:
Today, America’s county governments invest more than $500 billion annually into local programs and services that directly affect every person in the country, including the establishment and maintenance of the fundamental building blocks that create a safe, healthy, vibrant and resilient place to live, work, play and call home.
National County Government Month provides an opportunity to educate community residents about these investments and the role counties play in their daily lives. In addition to being one of the country’s oldest forms of government, counties invest billions of dollars annually in infrastructure improvement projects, public transportation, community health clinics, parks, recreation facilities, public safety and much more.
For the 28th anniversary of National County Government Month, this year’s theme is “Connecting the Unconnected.”
In Solano County, connecting the unconnected means taking an active role in building and maintaining the vital safety net services residents depend on, including access to health and mental health services, in-home health care, veteran’s benefits, vocational and educational achievement opportunities for the incarcerated, food assistance for the food insecure and programs for children, seniors and the disabled and includes the following examples:
HEALTH FAIR CONNECTS FAMILIES TO SERVICES
More than a thousand residents attended the fourth annual community Health Fair in Fairfield, hosted by the Solano County District Attorney and Solano Family Justice Center in October. Participants can meet with more than 90 local health-related vendors, connecting them to County Health Services, including free medical, dental and vision screenings, immunizations and family resource centers. The day-long event features activities for people of all ages, including food, music and children’s activities.
ACCESSING COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING
First 5 Solano, Children and Families Commission, established the Help Me Grow (HMG) Solano database system in 2018, a centralized access point for children and families to be linked to community-based programs and services. The HMG Solano program served 1,660 individuals, helping them gain access to programs and services, including developmental, health, parent education, basic needs and childcare.
CONNECTING VETERANS TO THEIR BENEFITS
Solano County is home to more than 34,000 veterans and 90,000 of their dependents. The County’s Veteran Service Office (VSO) helps veterans and their dependents get connected to the benefits they’ve earned as part of their military service. In 2018, the VSO filed more than 7,000 claims, resulting in $35.4 million in Federal dollars in pension and compensation claims. Solano VSO has been recognized as number one in the state, with an average participation rate of 34.7 percent, 10.7 percent higher than the state and national averages. Veterans access the VSO for help with a variety of benefit claims, including college tuition assistance, health and medical care, dependent assistance, injury claims and legal counsel. Veterans interested in receiving assistance with their benefits can call the Solano County VSO at (707) 784-6590.
NEW ROURK VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER
The Solano County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Department of General Services, Capital Projects Management division, with bond financing from the Board of State and Community Corrections SB 1022 Adult Local Criminal Justice Facilities Construction Financing Program and County funds, has finished construction of the new Rourk Vocational Training Center. Located next to the Claybank and Stanton Correctional Facilities, the new 39,000 square-foot facility features an educational building, equipped with classrooms, vocational training space and instructor-led program areas designed to help prepare the currently incarcerated with future employment skills.
PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH EDUCATION
The Solano County Probation Department is transforming lives through education. In partnership with the Solano County Office of Education, Five Keys Charter School, and Solano Community College, the Probation Department is working with local educators at their Fairfield, Vallejo, and at the Juvenile Detention Facility campus and Centers for Positive Change, providing college, high school, and GED courses. Since the program started in 2016, 42 youth and 57 adults have received their high school diploma, further enriching our communities.
FOOD Rx BRINGS FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED
The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, Medical Services division, entered an intergovernmental agreement with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to receive $400,000 of a $1 million-dollar agreement to create a Mobile Food Rx program. In coordination with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County, the Mobile Food Rx program consists of a food truck that brings healthy and nutritious food to food-insecure patients of Solano County Health Services. The County received an additional $1 million in funding from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in November 2018, thanks to the coordination efforts of District 1 Supervisor Erin Hannigan.
Solano County also provides a variety of programs and services that significantly improve the quality of life of residents, including access to safe roads and bridges, parks and libraries, public safety programs and job training assistance, including the following examples:
HELPING PARENTS SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES
The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) has partnered with the Solano Workforce Development Board (WDB) and Solano Superior Court to assist unemployed and under-employed parents, including those who are formerly incarcerated, in finding and maintaining employment. Job seekers are referred by DCSS and the Superior Court to the WDB for access to free training, workshops and job referrals with the goal of sustained employment.
COUNTY RECEIVES ANNUAL TRANSPORTATION AWARDS
The Solano County Department of Resource Management, Engineering and Road Maintenance divisions were recognized at the 2018 Solano Transportation Authority (STA) annual awards for Project Delivery and Agency of the Year. The awards recognize and celebrate local agencies for their significant contributions to the community, including programs, activities and projects that improve mobility, travel safety and economic vitality for everyone who lives, works and plays in Solano County.
ALERTING RESIDENTS DURING AN EMERGENCY
The Solano County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) launched the new AlertSolano.com emergency notification system in July, 2018, in coordination with the seven cities, Travis Air Force Base and unincorporated areas. The new emergency alert system gives users the option to register multiple communication devices, including cell phones, land-lines, voice over IP (VOIP) and other internet-connected smart devices. Alert Solano gives OES emergency managers the ability to send text messages to anyone with a cell phone in a selected area, helping them target users to get them out of harm’s way without having to send a mass-alert. Since the platform launch, more than 14,000 people have registered, thanks to an extensive community outreach campaign.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR LOCAL JOB-SEEKERS AND BUSINESSES
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County helps local job-seekers gain the skills and abilities necessary to make them qualified for local employment opportunities in Solano County. In 2018, the WDB welcomed more than 40,000 visitors to their Fairfield and Vallejo offices for training, resources and job connection advice. The WDB also hosted two successful career fairs, working with 139 local employers and 650 job-seekers, resulting in more than 400 job interviews and job-connections.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution recognizing April 2019 as National County Government Month in Solano County. This is not recommended as this resolution offers Solano County residents an opportunity to learn about both the vital county services provided by county government and the dedicated county employees who daily serve the public.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
All County departments were consulted to compile this report.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION