REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 23, 2025
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Revenue Contract with the California Department of Aging for CalFresh Expansion
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Revenue Contract No. 22-1110 (State Agreement No. CF-2223-20) with the California Department of Aging for the CalFresh Expansion program, updating Exhibit B, Attachment 1 - Budget Display, increasing the total contract amount by $146,929, from $444,639 to $591,568, and extending the contract term by one year for the total contract period of October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2026.
(Presenter: Sharon Nevins, Director, 891-3917)
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 impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The recommended amendment for the CalFresh Expansion (Outreach) program in the amount of $146,929 is funded 43% from Federal ($63,853) and 57% from State ($83,076) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Aging and Adult Services’ (DAAS) 2025-26 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a federally mandated program that is state-supervised, and county-operated in California. It is the largest food program in the state and provides an essential hunger safety net. The program provides food benefits to low income individuals and families that stretch their food budgets, making it easier to afford nutritious options like fruits and vegetables.
Outreach was created to increase equitable access and enrollment to the CalFresh program among likely eligible populations and hard-to-reach communities across the state and includes education and application assistance.
On June 18, 2018, Assembly Bill 1811, known as the Human Services Omnibus Trailer Bill, passed and reversed the CalFresh eligibility policy known as “cash-out,” under which Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Supplemental Payment (SSP) recipients were ineligible for CalFresh. As a result, the County expanded CalFresh eligibility to include older adults and individuals with disabilities receiving SSI/SSP beginning June 1, 2019. The County launched a widespread outreach effort to engage and enroll the newly eligible SSI/SSP recipients into the CalFresh program. Outreach activities included radio public service announcements across 14 markets within 36 counties in four languages. Additionally, a targeted social media video campaign was implemented to further extend the program’s reach. Agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, California Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services, and USDA, continue to encourage enrollment on their websites. These efforts ensure the older adult population can obtain adequate nutritional support without a change or reduction of their existing SSI/SSP benefits.
On November 15, 2022 (Item No. 6), the Board of Supervisors approved Contract No. 22-1110 (State Agreement No. CF-2223-20), in the amount of $444,639, for the period of October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2025, for Outreach services.
On August 27, 2025, DAAS received a Contract Release Memo from the California Department of Aging notifying them of an amendment to State Agreement No. CF-2223-20. The amendment includes a one-year extension through September 30, 2026, along with an additional $146,929 in funding for the Outreach program.
This amendment will allow DAAS to continue providing CalFresh services by collaborating with community-based organizations. These partnerships provide informational material about the benefits of participating in the CalFresh program to eligible individuals who are not currently enrolled. The intended outreach will aim to inform low income households about program availability, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. The expected impact of this outreach is to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to make an informed decision about applying for CalFresh benefits.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Lisa Rivas-Ordaz, Contracts Manager, 388-0222) on September 8, 2025; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 10, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (John Hallen, Principal Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on September 11, 2025.