DATE: October 24, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission for Educational Training and Outreach Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission to provide technology-related educational training and outreach services, effective upon execution through September 30, 2024, total not to exceed $786,543.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to provide technology training and outreach to older adults and individuals with disabilities to help reduce isolation and increase connections. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department will not be able to fulfill its agreement with the California Department of Aging (CDA) to provide outreach and technology assistance to older adults and individuals with disabilities through the Access to Technology (ATT) program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of $786,543 is funded with ATT grant revenue. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues have been included in the Department’s Org. 5610 FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On February 28, 2023, your Board approved allocation agreement A-23-093 with the CDA for the provision of the ATT program. The program is designed to address the “digital divide” among older adults and individuals with disabilities through the provision of digital devices, device training and education, internet service plans, and outreach. The Department has since purchased 200 iPads which will be distributed to Adult Protective Services (APS), In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), and other Adult Services clients who meet eligibility criteria.
The Department released a Letter of Interest for the Outreach and Education/Training Services portion of the ATT program on June 21, 2023, which closed on July 6, 2023. A total of 32 vendors were notified via Public Purchase. Fresno County Purchasing received no responses and advised the Department it was free to negotiate with the vendor of its choice.
The Department reached out to the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) based on the agency’s experience providing similar services to its Foster Grandparent program participants. EOC has the ability and capacity to quickly begin the needed services. They have experience providing supportive services to the program’s target population including technology-based education and training and are physically located within Fresno County.
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to provide training, education, internet access, and ongoing technical support for 200 eligible APS, IHSS, and other Adult Services clients. EOC will provide in-person, online, or telephone education and training to use iPads including one-on-one or in-person home visits when requested. Clients will learn about basic online navigation, scam prevention and cybersecurity, as well as how to access telehealth services, online events, music, games, libraries, and classes. EOC will also conduct outreach to ensure participation among underrepresented and isolated groups such as non-English speaking individuals, long-term care residents, geographically isolated and rural residents, and lower income persons who cannot afford to purchase technology. EOC staff are available to begin providing services upon execution of the recommended agreement.
The recommended agreement with EOC is effective upon execution through September 30, 2024. CDA previously notified the Department of an anticipated amendment to the agreement your Board approved on February 28, 2023, solely to change the expiration date from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2023. CDA ultimately changed that date to September 30, 2024. The agreement with EOC may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing thirty (30) days advance written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #57, February 28, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with EOC
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander