HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09262006 - SD.6 (2) i
Contra
T,O: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Family Economic Security Partnership -- Costa
DATE: September 26. 2006 County
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SUBJECT: Family Economic Security Partnership
Sp==n;=IC RcNEST'S OR RECO.1 v1ENDATION'&&BACKGROUND AND,;UST RCA-10N
RECOMMENDATION
SUPPORT the work of the Family Economic Security Partnership.
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FISCAL IMPACT
None
BACKGROUND
Contra Costa's Family Economic Security Partnership (the Partnership) was created by the
Employment & Human Services Department, Contra Costa Health Services, and United Way of
the Bay Area, First 5 Contra Costa and the Internal Revenue Service. The Partnership is a i
public, private and non-profit collaboration designed to increase the income and build the assets
of Contra Costa's low-income families and individuals. The Partnership was formed to respond
to the startling IRS estimate that S15 million in federal Earned Income Tax Credits went
unclaimed by low-income residents of Contra Costa in 2003.
In 2004. the Partnership launched Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Contra Costa to provide free tax
preparation assistance to low-income families and individuals in our county. Thanks to the
community organizations, churches and public agencies that operate Volunteer Income Tax i
Assistance sites each year and the numerous volunteers who prepare returns. the Partnership
has prepared over 4.900 returns claiming over S6 million in tax refunds and credits since i
inception.
In 2005. the National Association of County Human Services Administrators selected Contra
Costa's Family Economic Security Partnership to receive its "Innovations in Human Services
Award". This award recognizes programs-that have distinguished themselves in promoting and
strengthening networks of county and community human services to support the self-sufficiency
of low-income populations and protect children, families and elderly.
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CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ® YES SIGNATURE:/
El-RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑ RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
[APPROVE ❑ OTHER i
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SIGNATURE(S);
ACTION OF 61R. ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED NJ OTHER ❑
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VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND
CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND
_t-�UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
AYES: NOES: n
ABSENT. ABSTAIN: ATTESTED: (date) fi la,
Contact: JOHN CULLEN, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
cc: CAO
EHSD
HSD By: ® f.KL./�— Deputy
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This year— 2006 —the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! campaign prepared 1,987 returns, claiming over
S1 million in federal Earned Income Credits and S2.5 million in total refunds and credits.
Plans for 2007
The Family Economic Security Partnership is expanding. Joe Valentine of the Community
Services Department and Dorothy Sansoe of the County Administrator's Office, along with Don '
Gilmore, Executive Director of the Community Housing Development Corporation of North
Richmond and Linda Best of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership have agreed to join with the
original sponsors to craft a strategic plan for the future. First on the agenda is to recruit
volunteers and confirm site coordinators for the 2007 Earn It! Keep It! Save It! campaign. i
Campaign goals for 2007 include:
• Preparing 2,500 returns
Recruiting and training 125 volunteers
• Claiming S2.8 million in total refunds and credits I
During 2007. the Partnership also wants to expand asset building activities to assist the over
30,000 families in Contra Costa whose incomes fall below 185% of the federal poverty level and
who struggle everyday to survive economically.
Funding from the United Way and the Community Services Block Grant, administered by the
Community Services Department, is supporting some financial education and linkage to
Individual Development Accounts by the Community Housing Development Corporation of North
Richmond, but more can be accomplished with an expanded partnership and additional
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resources. I
The Board of Supervisors has assisted the Partnership in the past through distributing outreach
materials and encouraging volunteers to get involved. We look forward to your continued support
and welcome any suggestions you may have for additional partners and financial resources. I
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