To: Board of Supervisors
From: Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Report Title: Rescind Prior Board Action Pertaining to Gift Cards and Transportation Vouchers for Clients of the FMCH Programs
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RESCIND Board action of September 24, 2024 (C.71), which pertained to the purchase of gift cards and transportation vouchers for Public Health’s Family, Maternal and Child Health Programs; and APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to purchase on behalf of the Health Services Director, gift cards and transportation vouchers totaling an amount not to exceed $71,596 for clients of Public Health's Family, Maternal and Child Health Programs including applicable fees and shipping for the period from September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action will result in additional expenditures of $340 up to a total amount of $71,596 and will be funded by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and California Home Visiting Program (CHVP). Funding received for this program includes financial support for eligible clients that include food, transportation, and other items of care. No County general funds will be used.
BACKGROUND:
Family, Maternal and Child Health Programs (FMCH) within the Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health (CCH) operate evidence-based programs to provide vulnerable women and their children with education, resources, and support during pregnancy and the early years of the child’s life. Several of our programs for pregnant women, new mothers and families receive funding specifically to provide food and other emergency assistance including transportation and items to care for the women and their families.
The Prenatal Care Guidance (PCG) Program (5826) aims to promote optimal pregnancy health and birth outcomes by providing brief intervention in-home support and educational services to low-income pregnant women residing in Contra Costa County. PCG offers up to three home visits for a pregnant woman and provides education, support and resources to ensure that all the family’s immediate needs are met.
Client assistance to include the following gift cards and transportation vouchers:
• 80 Target gift cards each with a $25 value, totaling $2,000.
o For moms and their babies to provide food and other emergency assistance. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 80 Savemart gift cards with a $25 value, totaling $2,000.
o Participants can receive food assistance to assist with hardship regarding food insecure families if they express an emergency need. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 32 Clipper cards, $25 value, plus a $3 per card fee, plus applicable shipping up to $100; totaling $996.
o Participants can receive transportation assistance if they express an emergency need.
The Adolescent Family Life (5802) Program’s goal is to support expectant and parenting youth, age 21 and under, using the evidence-informed Positive Youth Development (PYD) model to increase access to needed services, increase social and emotional support, and build resiliency, empower youth to cultivate personal autonomy to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, and strengthen youth knowledge and self-efficacy for education and career attainment.
Client assistance to include the following gift cards and transportation vouchers:
• 120 Target gift cards each with a $25 value, totaling $3,000.
o For youth and their babies to support youth to thrive. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 44 Visa Drive cards each with a $25 value, totaling $1,100.
o Gas cards to assist youth with keeping their doctors’ appointments, attend school, etc. Gas cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 35 Clipper cards, $25 value, plus a $3 per card fee totaling $105, plus applicable shipping up to $100; totaling $1,080.
o Clipper cards to assist youth with keeping their doctors’ appointments, attend school, etc.
The Black Infant Health (BIH) Program (5827) receives State general funds through the California Department of Public Health to implement an education and social support model which sponsors prenatal and post-partum support groups for women in West and East County.
Client assistance to support group attendance include the following gift cards and transportation vouchers:
• 600 Target gift cards with a $25 value, totaling $15,000.
o BIH participants may be eligible to receive these gift cards as a welcome baby gift upon enrollment, for incentive for participation/completion of prenatal group, upon completion of two Life Planning Sessions, and/or upon completion of the Satisfaction survey. An additional gift card is allowable if clients express an emergency need, when present at a case conference by FHA, and approved by the BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 400 Savemart gift cards with a $25 value, totaling $10,000.
o Participants may be eligible to receive these gift cards if an emergency need must be addressed and when present at case conference by FHA, and approved by BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 200 Visa Drive cards with a $25 value, totaling $5,000.
o Participants may be eligible to receive these gift cards if an emergency need must be addressed and when present at a case conference by FHA, and approved by BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 200 Clipper cards, with a $25 value for a total of $5,000, plus a $3 per card fee, plus applicable shipping up to $100; totaling $5,700.
o Participants may be eligible to receive transportation assistance if they express an emergency need. Such need must be present at case conference by FHA, and approved by BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Need to supply transportation support for our participants to and from group sessions
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program (5799) is funded by the CDPH Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) California Home Visiting Program and provides intensive home visiting services provided by Public Health Nurses throughout the pregnancy until the child’s second birthday.
Client assistance to include the following gift cards and transportation vouchers:
• 350 Target gift cards with a $25 value, totaling $8,750.
o NFP clients may receive a gift card as a welcome gift upon enrollment, at 6-month breastfeeding continuation, at program completion (≥ 2 years), and/or if needed to address an emergency need. Such need must be present at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting by Public Health Nurse and approved by the NFP Nurse Manager. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 142 Visa Drive cards with a $25 value, totaling $3,550.
o Each client can receive 2 cards per program phase (Pregnancy, Infancy and Toddlerhood). Must be present at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting and approved by NFP Nurse Manager. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 43 Clipper cards with a $25 value, plus a $3 per card fee, plus applicable shipping up to $100; totaling $1,304.
o Each client can receive 1 card per program phase (Pregnancy, Infancy and Toddlerhood) or as needed. Must be present at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting and approved by NFP Nurse Manager.
The California Home Visiting (5793) State General Expansion Funding to be utilized solely for the purpose of implementing or expanding Nurse-Family Partnership Home Visiting Programs.
Client assistance to include the following gift cards:
• 300 Target gift cards with a $25 value, totaling $7,500.
o Eligibility criteria: 1) each NFP client will receive 1 card as a welcome gift upon enrollment, 2) each eligible client will receive a card at 6-month breastfeeding continuation, 3) each client will receive a card at program completion (≥ 2 years), and 4) clients can receive additional cards if they express an emergency need. Must be present at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting by Public Health Nurse and approved by the NFP Nurse Manager. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 100 Visa Drive cards with a $25 value, totaling $2,500.
o Each client can receive 2 cards per program phase (Pregnancy, Infancy and Toddlerhood). Must be present at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting and approved by NFP Nurse Manager. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 72 Clipper cards with a $25 value, plus a $3 per card fee, plus applicable shipping up to $100, totaling $2,116.
o Each client can receive 1 card per program phase (Pregnancy, Infancy and Toddlerhood) or as needed. Must be present at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting and approved by NFP Nurse Manager.
On September 24, 02024 the Board of Supervisors approved agenda item C.71 to purchase gift cards and transportation vouchers totaling an amount not to exceed $71,256 for clients of Public Health’s FMCH Programs for the period from September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
In January 2025 the CHVP Budget was revised to include an additional $340 in transportation vouchers for the Nurse-Family Partnership Programs (5799 & 5793). Approval of this action will align the total cost for these programs with their budgeted amounts. All other gift card and transportation voucher amounts remain unchanged.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this request is not approved, the department will not be able to utilize funding specifically allocated for food, emergency assistance and transportation for clients. The inability to provide these financial supports may negatively impact the health and well-being of vulnerable women and their children living in our County.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT
FMCH Programs achieve all 5 Children’s Impact Statements: Children Ready for and Succeeding in School; Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood; Families that are Economically Self Sufficient; Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.