To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Contra Costa THRIVES Guaranteed Income Program for administration by the Employment and Human Services Department.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE the Contra Costa THRIVES Guaranteed Income Pilot Program for administration by the Employment and Human Services Department for an estimated payment issuance period of January 2026 through December 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This program will be funded by $3,250,000 in Measure X funds, $1,000,000 in AB 109 funds, and $16,200 Voluntary & Emergency Services Team in Action (VESTIA) funds for a total funding amount not to exceed $4,266,200. These funds were allocated one time for the pilot project by the Board on October 22, 2024. It will serve 170 recipients over 18 months. Board approval of this recommendation authorizes the expenditure of these funds.
BACKGROUND:
On August 15, 2023 (D.4), the Employment and Human Services Department made a presentation to the Board of Supervisors titled “Universal Basic Income and Guaranteed Income Pilots”. The Board accepted the report and directed staff to seek income waivers for Guaranteed Income Pilot payment for individuals residing in Contra Costa County and applying for CalFresh.
On April 22, 2024 (D.1), the Board conducted a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Recommended Contra Costa County and Special District Budgets. During this hearing, the Measure X Community Advisory Board (MXCAB) recommended guaranteed income pilots as a funding priority. The Board directed that the Employment and Human Services Department and the Contra Costa Guaranteed Income Coalition report back to the Board.
On October 22, 2024 (D.4), the Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $3.25 million Measure X funds and $1 million AB 109 funds for a Guaranteed Income (GI) Program to be developed and administered by the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), serving all or some of the identified target populations: youth transitioning out of foster care, unhoused and unstably housed residents, families with young children experiencing financial hardship, low-income seniors, and individuals returning to the community after incarceration.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
There are no federal or state mandates related to this MX funded program which is at the sole discretion of the Board.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This action supports the third of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card, "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”.