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Authorize the County's contribution of $1,500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit B Walker Ranch ($500), Shelter Solano, Inc. ($500) and Solano Dream Center ($500)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Jim Spering requests that the Board authorize the County's contribution of $1,500 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 3 to benefit B Walker Ranch ($500), Shelter Solano, Inc. ($500) and Solano Dream Center ($500).
SUMMARY:
Justification:
During the 2018/19 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $5,000 to allow District 3 to support community service programs. District 3 recommends the distribution of the remaining funding as follows:
B Walker Ranch ($500)
B Walker Ranch (a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization) was founded by a mother of a son with autism, who was concerned with the large number of autistic children coming out of the education system. Together with two other women, she created the B Walker Ranch, a Day Program for adults with autism.
Today, autism is the most common disability in California. Ninety-two percent of people diagnosed with this lifelong disability are under the age of 18. In 2016, more than 97,000 California public school students had been diagnosed as autistic. Once they graduate, few programs will be available that are designed to work for young adults with autism.
The B Walker Ranch will be a working ranch focusing on programs in farming, animal therapy, horticulture program, cooking and nutrition skills, a learning center, work and life skills, art therapy and occupational therapy
The ranch is a green model ranch. Energy saving structures, nontoxic materials and organic farming practices support individuals with autism, who are known to be especially sensitive to chemicals and other toxicities.
As a “model” program, B Walker Ranch plans to be self-sustaining and to be replicated in other communities. autism.
The Solano County Planning Department upgraded their designation as an Agricultural Educational Facility.
Funding will support ongoing general fund efforts.
Shelter Solano, Inc. ($500)
Shelter Solano (a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization) is a year-round emergency shelter located at the former Bridge to Life Center in Fairfield. Shelter Solano, Inc. meets the emergency housing needs of individuals and families with accommodations that include dormitory style rooms, family-sized rooms, and separate apartment-style units. The campus is secured and includes a dining hall for meals and recreational areas for persons of all ages.
Shelter Solano will serve current Solano County residents who are referred to the organization through the Solano County Coordinated Entry System.
Services offered at Shelter Solano include case management, housing search, life skills and wellness programs, Vocational/employment services and educational programs.
Funds will go to general operating costs.
Solano Dream Center ($500)
Solano Dream Center (SDC) (a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization) is a faith-based, but not faith required, affordable Live-In Program with a minimum of a year stay (12 to 18 months). The non-profit organization provides help for those struggling with substance abuse, depression, anger, control, past physical and sexual abuse and other life-controlling issues.
Solano Dream Center also provides a Nomadic Shelter with a bus that picks up the homeless in the early evening from specified locations. Those riding the free SDC bus are delivered to one of the nine host churches where they spend the night, are served a hot meal, and in the morning, are given breakfast. The bus will then return them to the pick-up location.
Funds will go towards the Nomadic Shelter program.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the 2018/19 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $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:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Adopted 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.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION