REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 24, 2024
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Grant Award from the California Department of Aging for the Access to Technology Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Rescind Item No. 6 from the August 20, 2024 Board Agenda in its entirety.
2. Accept and approve Amendment No. 1 to Grant Award Agreement No. 23-16 (Grant Agreement No. AT-2223-36) from the California Department of Aging for the Access to Technology Program to provide older adults, 60 years of age and older, and individuals with disabilities access to digital connectivity and technology, updating Exhibit C - General Terms and Conditions, and the Budget Summary, which increases the grant amount by $467,247, for a total grant award amount of $2,524,130, and decreasing the term by three months, for the revised period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024.
3. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments to the Department of Aging and Adult Services - Public Guardian’s budget, as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Glenda Jackson, Assistant Director, 798-8528)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not require additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The grant award from the California Department of Aging (CDA) for the Access to Technology (ATT) Program is 100% state funding and does not require a local match. Approval of the necessary adjustments to the Department of Aging and Adult Services - Public Guardian’s (DAAS-PG) budget will fund administrative costs, personnel, equipment, program services, and other operating costs. DAAS-PG is requesting adjustments to the 2024-25 budget as follows:
|
Funds Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
5360001000 |
52002181 |
Cell Phones - Outside |
Increase |
$467,247 |
|
5360001000 |
40509155 |
Federal - Pass Through |
Increase |
$467,247 |
Adequate appropriation and revenue will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On August 20, 2024 (Item No. 6), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Amendment No. 1 (Amendment) to Grant Award Agreement No. 23-16 (Agreement). However, the Amendment’s signature page and Exhibit C, which updates the ATT Program’s General Terms and Conditions, were omitted due to a clerical error. Since the Board reviewed and approved the Amendment as an incomplete record, DAAS-PG recommends that the Board approve Recommendation No. 1 to rescind Item No. 6 from the August 20, 2024 Board Agenda and approve the other Recommendations, with the clerical error corrected, so the Board reviews and approves the entire Amendment. This is also the cleanest way, for record keeping purposes, to correct the clerical error.
The ATT Program was created as a 27-month pilot program authorized by California Assembly Bill 135, which appropriated this program funding and established the pilot timeframe. The ATT Program’s purpose is to connect older adults, 60 years of age and older, and individuals with disabilities to technology to reduce isolation, increase connections, and enhance self-confidence in navigating digital and online resources. These may include, but are not limited to, providing laptops, tablets, or smart phones providing reliable internet access via service plans; developing and/or arranging education and training on the use of technology; and conducting outreach regarding the ATT Program.
To date, DAAS-PG has procured 1,800 mobile devices for the ATT Program with its initial allocation of $2,524,130. On November 14, 2023, CDA emailed all counties notifying them that additional funding was available due to only 42 out of 58 counties opting to participate in the ATT Program. The excess funding became available for redistribution to the 42 participating counties that expressed interest, and DAAS-PG was awarded $467,247 in reallocated funding. Approval of the Amendment, which increases the grant amount by $467,247, would allow for the purchase of an additional 700 devices to provide older adults and adults with disabilities access to digital connectivity, technology, and activities.
The Amendment also shortens the term by three months due to CDA issuing Program Memo 23-15 (Memo) on July 21, 2023. The Memo announced cancellation notices to be issued for several programs containing Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) funding, including all ATT Program contracts, noting that the Agreement term end date of December 31, 2024 would be shortened to September 30, 2024 and all expenditures would now need to be spent by then. CDA did not provide an explanation for shortening the HCBS expenditure deadline.
On August 9, 2022 (Item No. 5), the Board approved and authorized the submission of a grant application to CDA for ATT Program funding, in the amount of $2,793,450, for the period of October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.
The original grant submission budget exceeded the planning estimate provided by CDA, and on September 14, 2022, DAAS-PG was asked to reduce the budget until CDA determined whether more funding was available based on the number of participating counties.
On October 21, 2022, DAAS-PG received Grant Agreement No. AT-2223-36 from CDA, in the amount of $2,056,883, for the period of October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. It was specified that if additional funding was awarded, DAAS-PG would return to the Board to request acceptance.
On January 10, 2023 (Item No. 6), the Board approved the Agreement (Grant Agreement No. AT-2223-36) from CDA, in the amount of $2,056,883, for the period of October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Jackie Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 11, 2024; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Vanessa Doyle, Chief Deputy Controller, 382-3195) on September 11, 2024; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on September 12, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on September 12, 2024.