REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 20, 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. 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, increasing 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.
2. 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).
3. Authorize the Director of the Department of Aging and Adult Services - Public Guardian to execute any subsequent non-substantive amendments to Grant Award Agreement No. 23-16 (Grant Agreement No. AT-2223-36), on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
4. Direct the Director of the Department of Aging and Adult Services - Public Guardian to transmit any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(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 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 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
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.
On August 9, 2022 (Item No. 5), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and authorized 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 a Grant Award 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. 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 Grant Award Agreement No. 23-16 (Grant Agreement No. AT-2223-36) (Agreement) from CDA, in the amount of $2,056,883, for the period of October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.
On July 21, 2023, the CDA issued Program Memo 23-15, announcing 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 by three months and all expenditures would now need to be spent by September 30, 2024. CDA did not provide an explanation for shortening the HCBS expenditure deadline.
CDA initially provided $48,500,000 for all 58 counties to participate in the ATT Program. 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 in receiving additional funding for the ATT Program. DAAS-PG submitted a revised budget form to the CDA requesting to receive some of the reallocated funding.
On July 22, 2024, CDA approved DAAS-PG’s budget revision (CDA 3003 Rev 01/2024), allowing for the reallocation of an additional $467,247 to DAAS-PG’s ATT Program.
To date, DAAS-PG has procured 1,800 mobile devices. To continue to provide older adults and adults with disabilities access to digital connectivity, technology, and activities approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement would allow for the purchase of an additional 700 devices.
DAAS-PG is requesting approval of an accompanying item, increasing Contract No. 24-275 with T-Mobile USA, Inc., to allow for the procurement of these additional devices.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Jackie Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 24, 2024; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Vanessa Doyle, Chief Deputy Controller, 382-3195) on August 5, 2024; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on August 5, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on August 5, 2024.