REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 5, 2023
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Revenue Contract with California Department of Aging for Digital Connections Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Revenue Contract No. 23-789 (State Revenue Agreement No. DC-2223-20) with the California Department of Aging to provide Digital Connection Program services, updating Exhibit A - Scope of Work, Exhibit B - Budget Detail, Payment Provisions, and Closeout, and Exhibit B, Attachment 1 - Budget Display, with no change to the total contract amount of $56,687, and extending the contract term by nine months, for a total contract period of February 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
(Presenter: Krystle Rowe, Deputy Director, 891-3870)
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 will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The revenue contract in the amount of $56,687 for the Digital Connections Program is one-time funding to support digital literacy among eligible older Californians aged 60 and over, and people aged 18 years and older who are disabled as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Funding allocations include $25,967 for administration and $30,720 for direct program and connectivity services. Connectivity services include the provision of broadband, digital literacy, and outreach in support of equipment distribution. This program is funded by the State through the allocation of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) funds and administered through the California Department of Aging (CDA). There is no match required. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Aging and Adult Services’ (DAAS) 2023-24 budget and will be included in the 2024-25 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On August 14, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order (EO) N-73-20 to improve broadband speed and access in California, including improving download speeds and to bridge the digital divide for two million Californians who lack broadband access. The EO specified older adults as a priority population at-risk of isolation and loneliness when impacted by the Digital Divide. The Digital Divide refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern technology, such as computer and internet access. This gap occurs between rural and urban populations, between younger and older generations, and also differs by race, educational levels, and socio-economic status.
On July 25, 2023 (Item No. 6), the Board of Supervisors approved Contract No. 23-789 (State Revenue Agreement No. DC-2223-20) to provide Digital Connection Program services in the amount of $56,687 for the period of February 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
On September 8, 2023, CDA purchased and delivered 560 iPad devices to DAAS for distribution to eligible older Californians aged 60 and over, and people aged 18 years and older living with a disability as defined by the ADA. The objective is to reduce the digital divide among the population and support virtual basic literacy skills training, so that this demographic has the opportunity and ability to stay virtually connected to friends and family and keep up with news and trends, which will aid in reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
On July 21, 2023, the CDA issued Program Memo 23-15 regarding the HCBS program, announcing time extensions for all programs containing HCBS funding. Federal guidance from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services allowed states to exercise a time extension, however, the CDA stated in previous Program Memo 22-20, dated December 12, 2022, that California did not intend to exercise the time extension. The CDA did not provide any explanation for this change in direction.
The recommended amendment extends the contract through September 30, 2024, and resolves inconsistencies in the CDA standard agreement language regarding accounting and the administrative allocation. Exhibit A is being revised to extend the end date of the pre-paid data plan for all iPads and free technical support from December 31, 2023 to February 29, 2024, and Exhibit B is updating the expenditure of funds deadline from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on October 23, 2023; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 15, 2023; Finance (Christopher Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on November 15 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on November 15, 2023.