To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Resources
Staff Name and Phone Number: Meira Bowcut 707-565-1851
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Women's Recovery Response Grant
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Human Resources Department to accept and administer the Women’s Recovery Response grant for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the amount of $25,000 for the period of May 2022 through March 2023. (4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls has an opportunity to support local commissions and direct service providers in support of recovery efforts from the pandemic by offering the Women’s Recovery Response Grant Program. This Grant Program has $5 million in one-time funds available to distribute to support local services. CSW applied for the Women’s Recovery Response Grant to create a report that will demonstrate challenges that women and girls in Sonoma County face in their daily lives, including, Access to Childcare, Access to Healthcare, Housing, and Poverty. The Commission was notified on March 15, 2022 that they were chosen to receive an award of $25,000.
Discussion:
The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is uniquely positioned to support local commissions and the direct service providers they work with to ensure that women’s needs for recovery from the pandemic are focused on statewide. The Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 129) established the Women’s Recovery Response to provide local assistance with $5 million in one-time funds. The investment will insert structural support and resources into the network of local commissions while the California Commission continues to act as a statewide convener, facilitator, and oversight administrator.
The Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established on December 23, 1975, to promote equal rights and opportunities that enhance the quality of life for all women and girls, and to address issues of discrimination and prejudice that negatively affect women in Sonoma County. In 2021, the Commission created a survey to collect stories about how women in Sonoma County were faring during the pandemic. The Commission received over 900 responses to their survey.
The award from the Women’s Recovery Response Grant will be used to analyze the data collected from the survey and create a report to make the information accessible. The report will demonstrate challenges that participants faced in their daily lives, including, Access to Childcare, Access to Healthcare, Housing, and Poverty. The report will show the impact of COVID-19 on women’s lives, such as changes in mental health and wellness, housing, caretaking responsibilities (elders, children, and others), and employment. These issues directly relate to women’s economic stability and can speak to their ability to recover from the pandemic.
The Commission, as a group of volunteers, does not have the resources to leverage the information collected equitably, effectively, and in a timely manner. The grant will provide the resources for this data to make a positive impact on the women and girls in Sonoma County, by funding a team of trained data scientists to translate research into stories that can support equitable policymaking. CSW has partnered with the Center for Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University to help us understand the types of support that women need as they struggle with the long-term economic effects of the pandemic and help CSW develop the report.
Armed with this data, the report will provide the information to empower community organizations, local government entities, and everyday citizens to develop effective and equitable solutions to the challenges facing the women and girls in our County. The Commission on the Status of Women will be providing a copy of the final report to local entities such as the Board of Supervisors, the Office of Equity, Human Services Department and other entities that may find this report useful.
Strategic Plan:
None.
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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$25,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
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$25,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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$25,000 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
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$25,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Funding will support a team of trained data scientists with the Center for Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University to create a report that will demonstrate challenges that women and girls in Sonoma County face in their daily lives, including, Access to Childcare, Access to Healthcare, Housing, and Poverty. The intent of the report is to support equitable policymaking and make a positive impact on the women and girls in Sonoma County. The funds will need to be appropriated in Human Resources’ FY 2022-23 budget via the supplemental budget adjustment process. The Resolution is requesting $25,000 be appropriated in the FY 2022-23 budget.
No additional staffing positions in support of this funding will be requested.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
1. Grant Award Letter
2. Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.