REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 9, 2025
FROM
MATT KNOX, Director, Veterans Affairs
SUBJECT
Title
California Department of Veterans Affairs Subvention Certificate of Compliance and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance Forms for 2025-26
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of the following annual certificates of compliance to the California Department of Veterans Affairs to receive 2025-26 local assistance funding:
1. Annual Subvention Certificate of Compliance
2. Annual Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance
(Presenter: Matt Knox, Director, 382-3280)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
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 will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) certificates of compliance are required to receive an estimated $1,000,000 in state subvention and $144,000 in state Medi-Cal funding. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Veterans Affairs (VA) 2025-26 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
VA assists San Bernardino County (County) veterans, current members of the military services, and their families in identifying and obtaining benefits and services through advocacy, outreach, and education to improve veteran's mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life. As the County Veterans Service Office, VA works closely with CalVet, the State's leading veterans advocate and resource. In addition, CalVet provides the County Veteran's Service Office jurisdiction's annual local assistance funding to support veteran services and activities. This funding has been received by the VA since 1989 and is authorized by Military and Veteran's Code Section 972 et seq., and related regulations.
To receive local assistance funding, CalVet requires the annual submission of the Subvention Certificate of Compliance and the Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance, as certified by the Board of Supervisors (Board). Per CalVet requirements, the compliance certificates must be signed by the Chair of the Board or other County official authorized by the Board to act on its behalf. The signed 2025-26 certificates of compliance are due to CalVet by January 31, 2026.
The Annual Subvention Certificate of Compliance certifies the County's adherence to California Code of Regulations, Title 12, Subchapter 4 and Military and Veterans Code Division 4, Chapter 5. This certifies that the County has appointed a veteran to serve as the County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO), remains compliant with the accreditation requirements for the CVSO and other staff, and adhered to other administrative requirements. The Subvention Program reimburses counties for a portion of their administrative costs for workload units performed. A workload unit represents a claim that has a reasonable chance of obtaining monetary or medical benefit for a veteran, dependent, widow/widower, or survivor. State subvention funds are distributed on a pro-rata basis using allowed subvention workload units.
The Annual Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance certifies the County's adherence to California Code of Regulations, Title 12, Subchapter 4, and acts as the application to participate in the Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program authorized by Military and Veterans Code Section 972.5. This certifies that the County has appointed a CVSO and adhered to fiscal and administrative requirements, as outlined by the cited code. The Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program reimburses for activities the CVSO performs that result in cost avoidance or savings to the Medi-Cal Program. Medi-Cal cost avoidance funds are distributed on a pro-rata basis using allowed Medi-Cal workload units.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Administrative Manager, 388-0241) on July 22, 2025; County Counsel (Jolena Grider, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 24, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 388-0218) on August 19, 2025.