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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 10282003 - C95 FHS #64 .� Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS , FROM: FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE �',_. �g Casts DATE: OCTOBER 28, 2003 °°s A` au a ` County SUBJECT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION Recommendation: ACCEPT the report from the Community Services Director on jurisdiction and community partnerships within the Community Action Plan. Fiscal Impact: None Background: On June 17, 2003, the Board of Supervisors directed the Community Services Department to return to the Family and Human Services Committee regarding jurisdiction and partnerships with other agencies within the Community Action Plan. The Contra Costa County Community Services Department is the federally designated local Community Action Agency for Contra Costa County, It is responsible for developing programs for the County that eliminate poverty. As a Community Action Agency, the Community Services Department shall establish and maintain collaborative efforts and exchanges with other County departments and private and community based organizations in the planning, development and implementation of successful joint partnerships. These partnerships, over time, will provide comprehensive quality services to eligible County families and individuals to (1)limit/prevent economic dependence, (2)elevate poor individuals and families out of poverty and into self-sufficiency, and (3) provide a comprehensive support environment to prevent others from failing into poverty. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGN RE: � RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER "i t Nx$ y SIGNATURE(S): FEDERAL D. GLOVER -0 GIOIA ACTION OF BOARD ON October 28, 2003 APPROVE AS RECPMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS {ABSENT j�jp I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD AYES: NOES: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED October 28, 2003 JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Contact Person: Dorothy Sansoe(5-1009) CC: CAO CSD BY: `# r v DEPUTY DATE: October 15, 2003 TO Family & Human Services Committee, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors FROM: Tony Colon,Community Services Department, Executive Director SUBJECT: REPORT ON JURISDICTION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN RECOMMENDATION a- ACCEPT the report from the Community Services Department on jurisdiction and community partnerships within the Community Action Plan. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS/BACKGROC.TND: The attached report was initiated by the Community Services Department in response to direction by the Board of Supervisors on June 17, 2003 (Addendum to Item SD.3). The Board of Supervisors directed the Community Services Department to return to the Family and Human Services Committee within 90 to 120 days regarding jurisdiction and partnerships with other agencies within the Community Action Plan. The Contra Costa County Community Services Department is the federally designated local Community Action Agency for Contra Costa County. It is responsible for developing programs for the County that eliminate poverty. As a Community Action Agency, the Community Services Department shall establish and maintain collaborative efforts and exchanges with other County Departments and, private and community based organizations in the planning, development and implementation of successful joint partnerships. These partnerships, over time, will provide comprehensive, quality services to eligible County families and individuals to: (1) limit and/or prevent economic dependence, (2) elevate poor individuals and families out of poverty and into self sufficiency, and (3) provide a comprehensive support environment to prevent others from falling into poverty. Centra Costa County Community Services department Report to Board of Supervisors, Family& Human Services Committee October 20, 2003 2l04-Q5 Community Action Plan: Jurisdiction and Partnerships Foundation of Community Action — National and local National • Idea of focusing national attention and resources on poverty issues arose in the 1960s with President Kennedy. President Johnson took up the issue and assisted with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964. This was the country's first major social program since the 1930s • Underpinning thought was for local communities to develop their own unique solutions to the problem of poverty • Thousands of Community Action programs were developed, among them, Head Start Contra Costa County • Group of elected officials, agency directors and influential individuals joined to form the first Economic Opportunity Commission (later called Economic Opportunity Council) in September 1954 • The Commission determined that the EOC and Community Action programs should be housed within the county administration structure as a partnership between cities and the county • F=irst ECSC program, established in December 1964, was a countywide work-training program that was a joint cooperation with the cities of Pittsburg, Richmond and the county. It joined Home Visiting services with economic development to train hundreds of people. Community Action and the CommunityServices Block Grant Purpose &jurisdiction • CSBG was created in 1981 out of the remnants of the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act. Only designated Community Action Agencies are eligible for the funding, the purpose of which is to design local initiatives to ameliorate poverty and its affects. Contra Costa County Community Services Department is the only Community Action agency in the county. • CSBG funding is distributed to local entities through state agencies. In California, it is the Department of Community Services and Development that develops the distribution formula and oversees the allocation. - 1 - Centra Costa County Community Services Department Report to Board of Supervisors, Family& Human Services Committee October 20, 2003 • Community Action Plans (CAP) are developed by the local Community Action agencies on a bi-annual basis. This Plan is intended to outline community strengths and needs, as well as identify goals, objectives, and delivery strategies for a two-year period. Contra Costa County Community Action Plan • Geographic jurisdiction is the entire county * Demographic target population is low income communities • Program service eligibility is the Federal Poverty Guideline * Overarching goals of the CAP are linked to national and state standards, which is to increase individual, family and community self-sufficiency Common thread to Head Start and CSBG is that both are anchored in Community Action and both have advisory and/or governing components that are strongly linked to local self- determination and direct participation of stakeholders The_Z004-05 Community Action Plan / Community Services Block Grant Plan highlights: • Focus on economic development and self-sufficiency efforts, utilizing and expanding on the strength of existing CSD programs, as well as community partnerships • Top indicators identified through the community forum process are Family Support, Health, Employment, and Transportation • CSD will seek to address the varied and tangential issues related to poverty through active participation in coalitions and collaborations with global interest in poverty- related issues • Key direct service areas include providing support to One Stop Career Centers, Family Learning & Resource Centers, along with the case management and comprehensive service design for the 3,000 children and families reached by CSD • Delivery strategies also include provision of emergency support services through partnership with homeless shelters and local food bank Challenges ahead • CSSG reauthorization is before Congress. Not certain of direction. • Recent gubernatorial election may result in new appointee for the State CSSG office. It is not clear how the potential change of leadership would affect the level of support for local initiatives / programs. - 2 -