DATE: August 6, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment to Standard Agreement with California Department of Aging for Access to Technology Program Grant Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment A1 to the Standard Agreement (State Agreement No. AT-2223-10) with the California Department of Aging for the provision of services under the Access to Technology Program, decreasing the terms by three months for a revised term of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024 and increasing the allocation amount by $223,748 to a total of $1,280,493; and
2. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Chairman to execute Amendment A1 to the Standard Agreement (State Agreement No. AT-2223-10) as required by the California Department of Aging to identify the signatory official and accept the additional grant funding.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department to receive additional funding from the California Department of Aging (CDA) for the Access to Technology (ATT) program which aims to connect older adults and individuals with disabilities to technology to help reduce isolation and increase connections. This item is county wide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department will not receive the additional ATT program allocation, and the CDA will issue a cancellation notice terminating the existing agreement as of September 30, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department to receive an additional $223,748 in ATT program funding. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2024-25 Requested Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On February 28, 2023, your Board approved allocation agreement A-23-039 (State Agreement No. AT-2223-10) with CDA for the provision of the ATT Program. This program is designed to address the “digital divide” among older adults and individuals with disabilities through the distribution of digital devices, training and education, internet service plans, and outreach for eligible individuals that meet the program criteria. This program criteria include Fresno County residents who are at least 60 years old or have a permanent physical disability; who have no access to a computer/tablet or internet; and who are living alone, living in a residential care facility or assisted living facility, homebound due to health reasons, and/or have mobility issues or a functional disability. The goal of the program is to reduce isolation and increase interactions with other people and communities, risk factors that can result in negative outcomes to mental and physical health.
On July 21, 2023, CDA issued Program Memo 23-15 which notified all participating counties of the updated ATT program end term of September 30, 2024. In November 2023, CDA announced the availability of additional ATT program allocations that were resulted from 17 of the 58 counties choosing to opt out of the program.
In order to accept the additional ATT program funds, CDA requires the Department to submit a board resolution which identifies the signatory official and shows acceptance of the grant funds. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department to receive the additional $223,748 of ATT funds resulting from the redistribution, shortening of the contract terms by three months from December 31, 2024 to September 30, 2024 and updating of associated Exhibits accordingly. The additional funds will allow the Department to serve additional eligible Fresno County residents through the purchase of additional devices and arrangements for their internet service access.
The recommended amendment differs from the County standard contract model as CDA requires use of the State standard agreement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #57, February 28, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment with the California Department of Aging
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander