To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Paul Dunaway 565-3673, Gary Fontenot 565-5931
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities Access to Technology Grant Contract Amendments
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a Resolution to execute the Access to Technology Standard Agreement amendment with the California Department of Aging (CDA) increasing the amount by $181,004 for a total of $1,027,691.
B) Authorize the Director of the Human Services Department to execute a contract amendment with Community Tech Network to increase the contract by $162,904 for a new total not to exceed $924,922 using Home and Community Based Services funding distributed by the California Department of Aging to provide Access to Technology services.
C) Adopt a Resolution adjusting the Human Services Department Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget to increase appropriations by $144,803 to reflect increased funding received from the California Department of Aging for Access to Technology services. (4/5th Vote Required)
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Executive Summary:
The Human Services Department is requesting that the Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Human Services to execute the Access to Technology Standard Agreement amendment with the California Department of Aging (CDA) increasing the amount by $181,004. The Department is further requesting authority for the Human Services Director to execute a contract amendment with Community Tech Network, increasing the amount by $162,904, for a new not to exceed total of $924,922 for the Access to Technology program. The Access to Technology program is intended to connect older adults and adults with disabilities to technology to help reduce isolation, increase connections, and enhance self-confidence. Lastly, a budget resolution amending the FY 2023-24 budget is requested to increase appropriations resulting from increasing CDA funding for this program.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is responsible for planning, advocating, and providing funding for services that support the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers throughout Sonoma County. The AAA has received time-limited funding from the California Department of Aging (CDA) for the Access to Technology (ATT) Program.
On August 14, 2020 Governor Newsom issued Executive Order (EO) N-73-20 to improve broadband internet access in California, including improving download speeds for all Californians and bridging the gap for two million people who lack broadband access. The EO specifies older adults aged 60 and older as a priority population. 34% of adults 60 and over do not use the internet because they lack the necessary technology, they do not have internet access, and/or they do not have the knowledge to use the technology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDA reported that the lack of broadband led to increased risks of loneliness and isolation for older adults with potentially negative outcomes to their mental and physical health.
In response, the CDA released non-competitive grant funding to county Human Services Departments to implement the ATT Program, a pilot program to connect older adults and adults with disabilities to technology to help reduce isolation, increase connections, and enhance self-confidence. The Human Services Department submitted a proposal on August 29, 2022 to participate in this grant opportunity and was awarded $846,687.
In December 2023 CDA reallocated unspent ATT funding to participating California Area Agencies on Aging. The additional amount allocated to Sonoma County in the CDA Standard Agreement amendment is $181,004, bringing the total amount of funding for the ATT program to $1,027,691.
The CTN contract amendment increases the contract amount by $162,904 for a new total not to exceed $924,922, replaces Exhibit A (Scope of Work), and replaces the line item budget table in Exhibit B (Fiscal Provisions/Budget). The allowable amount of 10% ($18,100) of the ATT funding will be used for AAA administrative costs.
The budget resolution is needed since the additional ATT funding in the amount of $181,004 was not budgeted. HSD requests approval to increase FY 2023-24 appropriations by $144,803, based on the remaining contract term as follows: FY 2023-24 $144,803 (12 months) and FY 2024-25 $36,201 (3 months). The remainder of the funds, $36,201, will be included in the FY 2024-25 budget.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 4: Implement countywide technological solutions to promote resiliency and expand community access.
Objective: Objective 1: Leverage funding and seek grants to expand communications infrastructure within the community to improve equitable access to broadband, wireless, and cell phone services.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
February 28, 2023 - Adopted a resolution to authorize the Director of HSD to execute contract AT-2223-49 with CDA to accept Older Adults Recovery and Resilience funding in the amount of $846,687 and contract with Community Tech Network to provide Technology services.
September 13, 2022 - Adopted a resolution to authorize the Director of HSD to execute contract #IF-2223-27 with CDA to accept Older Adults Recovery and Resilience Funding.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY 24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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$36,201 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$144,803 |
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Total Expenditures |
$144,803 |
$36,201 |
$0 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$144,803 |
$36,201 |
$0 |
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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 |
$144,803 |
$36,201 |
$0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The additional ATT funding in the amount of $181,004 was not budgeted. HSD requests approval to increase FY 2023-24 appropriations by $144,803, based on the remaining contract term as follows: FY 2023-24 $144,803 (12 months) and FY 2024-25 $36,201 (3 months). The remainder of the funds, $36,201, will be included in the FY 2024-25 budget.
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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):
No staffing impacts. Funding previously approved in board item 2022-1298 on February 28, 2023.
Attachments:
1. Resolution to Execute Agreement with CDA
2. Budget Resolution for ATT
3. Standard Agreement AT-2223-49-A1
4. Community Tech Network Service Agreement Amendment 1
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None