DATE: August 24, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with Reading and Beyond
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to waive the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances as Reading and Beyond is the only partner that provided CalFresh Employment and Training services under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training Pilot; and,
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Reading and Beyond for CalFresh Employment and Training services, effective July 12, 2021 through September 30, 2021, total not to exceed $817,773.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow Reading and Beyond (RAB) to provide CalFresh Employment and Training (CFET) services to recipients of Non-Assistance CalFresh (NACF) benefits residing in Fresno County. The services will be funded with reallocated Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) funds and a cash match provided by RAB This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could elect not to approve the recommended actions; however, the reallocated funds will be returned to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and the CFET services provided by RAB will be discontinued immediately.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
The Department of Social Services’ request to waive the competitive bidding process is consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 as RAB is the only partner that provided CFET services under the SNAP E&T Pilot. RAB administered the SNAP E&T Pilot program from 2015-2018, which entitles them priority in requesting and receiving reallocated funding to continue a CFET program on an annual basis.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement is retroactive to July 12, 2021 due to the delay in approval from FNS of previously requested reallocated SNAP E&T funds. The Department received approval on July 8, 2021 and quickly worked with RAB to assess the needs of the program and develop a budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum amount of the agreement ($817,773) will be funded with reallocated SNAP E&T funds and a cash match provided by RAB. The CFET program requires a 50% match of ancillary expenditures ($135,000) provided to clients, which will be met by RAB. Estimated expenditures for this agreement from July 12, 2021 through August 24, 2021 are $38,000. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
In 2014, the County was selected to operate a SNAP E&T Pilot program designed to assist recipients of CalFresh benefits enter the workforce, increase earnings, and ultimately reduce their need for public assistance. From 2014 through 2018, the Department partnered with RAB to operate the Pilot. In 2018, the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) was amended to allow 50% of unallocated SNAP E&T funds to be prioritized for and distributed to programs that participated in the Pilot to continue administering an employment and training program on an annual basis.
In August of 2020, the Department submitted a request for reallocated funds to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for approval and submission to FNS. The Department was notified by CDSS of approval on July 8, 2021, with funding expiring on September 30, 2021.
RAB administers a CFET program that aids with job preparedness skills such as resume and cover letter preparation, online and handwritten application processes, comprehensive interview preparation, workplace etiquette, and conflict resolution. Components include Supervised Job-Search (SJS), Education, and Retention. SJS assists with job-search techniques appropriate for the current business industry while ensuring participants are looking for employment in areas that match with their skills. Education offers participants an opportunity to receive General Education Development preparation along with the opportunity for short-term certification and vocation training. Retention helps participants who become employed with job-related needs such as transportation assistance, clothing assistance, and job-related tools necessary to complete their work.
With your Board’s approval, the recommended agreement will be effective retroactively to July 12, 2021 and may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day advance written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #58, January 21, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Sole Source Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreement with RAB
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa