REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 10, 2023
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award from the California Department of Aging for the Access to Technology Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept and approve a grant award Agreement (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 adults with disabilities access to digital connectivity and technology, in the amount of $2,056,883, for the period of October 1, 2022 through December 31, 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 2022-23 budget, as detailed in the Financial Impact Section (Four votes required).
3. Authorize the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Aging and Adult Services - Public Guardian to execute and submit the grant award Agreement (Grant Agreement No. AT-2223-36) for the Access to Technology Program and any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the California Department of Aging, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
4. Direct the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Aging and Adult Services - Public Guardian to transmit all non-substantive amendments in relation to the grant award Agreement (Grant Agreement No. AT-2223-36) for the Access to Technology Program 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) 2022-23 budget will fund administrative costs, personnel, equipment, program services, and other operating costs. DAAS-PG is requesting adjustments to the 2022-23 budget as follows:
|
Funds Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
5360001000 |
51001010 |
Regular Salary |
Increase |
$91,971 |
|
5360001000 |
52002000 |
Operating Expenses Services and Supplies |
Increase |
$72,365 |
|
5360001000 |
52002116 |
Computer Hardware Expense |
Increase |
$785,702 |
|
5360001000 |
52002181 |
Cell Phones - Outside |
Increase |
$342,624 |
|
5360001000 |
52002400 |
Prof & Specialized Services |
Increase |
$40,103 |
|
5360001000 |
40509155 |
Federal - Pass Through |
Increase |
$1,332,765 |
Adequate appropriation and revenue will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The ATT Program is a 27-month pilot program authorized by California Assembly Bill 135, which appropriated this program funding and established the timeframe. The Program’s purpose is to meet the needs of older and adults and adults with disabilities to connect this population to technology to reduce isolation, increase connections, and enhance self-confidence in navigating digital and online resources. Acceptance of the ATT Program grant award will allow DAAS-PG to provide up to an estimated 1,000 older adults and adults with disabilities countywide access to digital connectivity, technology, and activities. These may include, but are not limited to, providing laptops, tablets, and smartphones; arranging 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 from DAAS-PG 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 determines 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. Should additional funding be awarded, DAAS-PG will return to the Board to request acceptance.
CDA requires proof the Board has accepted the grant award and has also identified which official is authorized to execute the grant award Agreement documents. To meet this requirement, DAAS is requesting authorization for the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of DAAS-PG, which is the exact title listed in the grant award Agreement documents, to execute and submit the grant award Agreement documents. This item is being presented at this time, as this is the first available date following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval at this time will not impact DAAS-PG services or activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Jackie Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 1, 2022; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Vanessa Doyle, Chief Deputy Controller, 382-3195) on December 5, 2022; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on December 14, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on December 20, 2022.