Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5ths
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Noelia Corzo, District 2
Supervisor David J. Canepa, District 5
Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse and The John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities for the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program for Domestic Violence Survivors and Appropriation Transfer Request
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse to administer the County’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program for Domestic Violence Survivors for a term from December 10, 2024, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $298,000, and granting a waiver of the competitive bidding requirements pursuant to San Mateo County Ordinance Code 2.83.050(e); and
B) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $348,000 from Measure K Reserves to the County Executive’s Office for the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program for Domestic Violence Survivors.
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BACKGROUND:
On January 17, 2023, the Board received a presentation regarding guaranteed income projects in the county, and the Board created an ad hoc committee (Committee) comprised of Supervisors Canepa and Corzo to further study the issue and return to the Board with recommendations. On July 11, 2023, the Board approved a Guaranteed Income pilot program for transitional age foster youth.
Subsequently, the Committee requested that staff explore a similar guaranteed income pilot program for domestic violence survivors (Pilot Program). Staff has since been working with the Committee and Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) to develop the Pilot Program.
DISCUSSION:
Pilot Program Overview
The Pilot Program is designed to address the unique challenges faced by domestic violence survivors, particularly those experiencing economic abuse. Financial dependence on an abuser often complicates the process of leaving an abusive relationship, especially for individuals with minor children. In the first year, survivors typically face multiple hurdles, including legal filings, securing childcare, and finding new housing - each of which requires financial independence, a bank account, a good credit rating, and the ability to cover expenses on their own.
The goal of the Pilot Program is to help provide a pathway to financial stability/independence to individuals who are leaving abusive relationships in connection with a range of other supportive services from CORA.
The Pilot Program would provide 20 eligible individuals with $1,000 unconditional, unrestricted regular monthly payments for 12 months, totaling $240,000.
Eligible individuals under the Pilot Program are required to meet the following criteria:
• Enrolled client of CORA services
• Adult with at least one minor child residing with them
• Income level at or below 30% of the Area Median Income
• In transition or living independent from the abuser
Agreement with CORA to Administer Pilot Program
Staff has negotiated an agreement with CORA to administer the Pilot Program for a term of December 10, 2024, through June 30, 2026, in exchange for payment not to exceed $298,000 (Agreement).
As administrator of the Pilot Program under the Agreement, CORA would provide a dedicated part-time case manager to ensure participants maximize utilization of CORA’s existing service offerings, serve as the clients’ primary point of contact and ensure quality data collection and tracking, and contract with a payment disbursement partner, Community Financial Resources, to facilitate monthly direct deposit guaranteed income payments, by enrolling participants in banking through a US Bank Focus Card, and provide de-identified transactional data. Additionally, CORA would participate in program evaluation and reporting to assess impact.
The $298,000 payment to CORA under the Agreement is allocated as follows: $230,000 will be disbursed to eligible individuals as guaranteed income payments under the Pilot Program; $20,600 will be paid to the payment disbursement partner; and the balance, $47,123, will be paid to CORA for personnel and operating expenses in the administration of the Pilot Program.
Evaluation of the Pilot Program
The County will separately enter into an agreement with the Gardner Center, the terms of which are in final negotiation, to evaluate the Pilot Program’s impact and participants’ experiences through the program. The maximum fiscal obligation under the agreement with the Gardner Center will not exceed $50,000, which amount is included in the requested ATR of $348,000.
Timeline
The target start date for the Pilot Program is January 1, 2025, with distribution of guaranteed income payments through June 30, 2026.
Budget
The total estimated budget for the Pilot Program is $358,000 to cover the following:
|
Expenses |
Total Budget |
County |
CORA |
|
Direct guaranteed income payments |
$240,000 |
$230,000 |
$10,000 |
|
CORA program administration, personnel and operating expenses |
$47,123 |
$47,123 |
$ - |
|
Payment Disbursement (managed and procured by CORA) |
$20,600 |
$20,600 |
$ - |
|
Program Evaluation (Gardner Center) |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$ - |
|
Total Expenses |
$358,000 |
$348,000 |
$10,000 |
Notably, CORA will also contribute $10,000 in private funding towards the direct guaranteed income payments with the intent of diversifying the source of funds and exempting the Pilot Program from income calculations for purposes of public benefits, including CalFresh.
Request to Waive Bidding Requirements for CORA’s Services
CORA is the only agency in San Mateo County dedicated solely to serving those affected by domestic violence meeting the requirements detailed in the Domestic Violence Centers Act, which requirements include providing victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal representation, advice, and accompaniment, a 24-hour hotline, counseling, and community outreach. As such, staff requests a waiver of the competitive bidding requirement for acquisition of the services provided under the Agreement, pursuant to Section 2.83.050(e) of the County’s Ordinance Code.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT:
Survivors of domestic violence who are on a path to financial independence face unique economic challenges due to the high cost of living in the county. According to the 2024 California Self-Sufficiency Standard data, an adult with an infant needs a monthly wage of $12,254 or $69.63/hour to be self-sufficient. The Pilot Program seeks to reduce the gap between the current social safety net system. Approval of this request aligns with the County’s commitment to equitable outcomes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total County costs for the program is $348,000. The County would enter into agreement with CORA for program administration and case management for an amount not to exceed $298,000, and an agreement with Gardner Center for program evaluation in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Approval of the Appropriation Transfer Request in the amount of $348,000 will budget Measure K reserve funds and associated expenditures to the County Executive’s Office FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget for the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program for Domestic Violence Survivors.