To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim January 2025 as Eligibility Work Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring January 2025 as Eligibility Work Month.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
In 1975, the National Eligibility Workers’ Association (NEW) established January as Eligibility Workers’ Recognition Month. The national organization is now known as NEW PATHS and its purpose is to improve the knowledge, skills, and overall professionalism of eligibility professionals in the human services field by providing information, training, and a network of services and support.
In Contra Costa County, Social Service Program Assistants (SSPAs) are the staff members who primarily perform eligibility work. Eligibility Work Month recognizes all county staff who support our community members by assessing and determining whether individuals/family members are eligible for public benefit programs and services that the County administers.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (3)"Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5)"Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
IN THE MATTER OF proclaiming January 2025 as Eligibility Work Month in Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, the Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) promotes a vision of a thriving community where all individuals and families can be healthy, safe, secure, and self-sufficient; and
WHEREAS, Social Service Program Assistants who perform eligibility work promote this vision, playing a crucial role in ensuring access to food, shelter, healthcare, childcare, education and transportation, and other essential services for individuals and families in our community; and
WHEREAS, eligibility work involves the expert administration of CalFresh, CalWORKs, Childcare, Welfare-to-Work, and Medi-Cal, processing 127,942 applications and 212,560 renewals during Fiscal Year 2023-24; and
WHEREAS, eligibility work also ensures the timely and efficient handling of caregiver paperwork and payments on behalf of foster children and children in childcare, and the administration of Adoption Assistance and KinGAP programs, processing 115 applications and 796 renewals during Fiscal Year 2023-24; and
WHEREAS, Social Service Program Assistants support older adults and individuals with disabilities to determine Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) applicants, processing 4,440 IHSS applications and 5,356 IHSS renewals during Fiscal Year 2023-24, as well as administer General Assistance (GA), processing a total of 10,402 GA applications during the same period; and
WHEREAS, eligibility work requires dedication, compassion, and expertise to help guide and support individuals through complex eligibility processes; and
WHEREAS, every day, EHSD Social Service Program Assistants who perform eligibility work demonstrate unwavering commitment, professionalism, and empathy in assisting vulnerable populations, fostering inclusivity and fairness; and
WHEREAS, our workers uphold the Department’s values of organizational excellence, exceptional customer service, open communication, innovation, ethical behavior, and diversity.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County does hereby proclaim January 2025 as Eligibility Work Month, recognizing and honoring the invaluable contributions of those who perform eligibility work to improve lives, foster dignity, and uphold the principle of equity for all community members.