To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Gift Cards and Transportation Vouchers for Clients of the FMCH Programs
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to purchase on behalf of the Health Services Director, up to 865 gift cards and transportation vouchers including applicable fees and shipping totaling an amount not to exceed $38,350 for clients served by Public Health's Family, Maternal and Child Health Programs for the period of August 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The gift cards and transportation vouchers are funded by the California Department of Public Health and California Home Visiting Program. 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 (FMCH) Programs 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(ren)'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.
A detailed breakdown of the gift cards and transportation vouchers designated for client financial assistance is provided in the program descriptions below. The total authorized amount of $38,350 will include $100 to cover applicable fees and shipping costs. To safeguard the appropriate use of program funds, gift cards are issued as ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms-restricted) cards, ensuring that incentive funds are directed exclusively toward food, emergency assistance, and transportation needs. These restrictions expressly prohibit the use of funds for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, ammunition, or lottery items.
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:
• 20 Walmart ATF gift cards each with a $25 value, totaling $500
o For youth and their babies to support youth to thrive. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
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 includes the following:
• 260 Target gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $13,000.
o BIH participants may be eligible to receive these gift cards as a motivator for participation/completion of prenatal and postpartum group. An additional gift card is allowable if clients express an emergency need, when presented at a case conference by FHA/case manager, and approved by the BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 70 Savemart gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $3,500.
o Participant may be eligible to receive these gift cards if an emergency need must be addressed and when presented at case conference by FHA/case manager, and approved by BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 20 Savemart gift cards each with a $25 value, totaling $500.
o Participant may be eligible to receive these gift cards if an emergency need must be addressed and when presented at case conference by FHA/case manager, and approved by BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 140 Uber gift cards each with a $25 value, totaling $3,500.
o Participants may be eligible to receive these gift cards to attend prenatal and post-partum group. If an emergency need must be addressed and when presented at a case conference by FHA/case manager, and approved by BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
• 20 Chevron gift cards each with a $25 value, totaling $500.
o Participants may be eligible to receive these gift cards to attend prenatal and post-partum group. If an emergency need must be addressed and when presented at a case conference by FHA/case manager, and approved by BIH coordinator, as funds of last resort. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program (5799) is funded by the CDPH 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:
• 35 Walmart ATF gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $1,750.
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 presented 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.
• 25 Chevron gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $1,250.
o Each client can receive one card per program phase (Pregnancy, Infancy and Toddlerhood). Must be presented at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting and approved by NFP Nurse Manager. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
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:
• 200 Walmart ATF gift cards each with a $50 value, totaling $10,000.
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 presented 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.
• 75 Chevron gift cards with a $50 value, totaling $3,750.
o Each client can receive one card per program phase (Pregnancy, Infancy and Toddlerhood). Must be presented at case conference or 1:1 supervision meeting and approved by NFP Nurse Manager. Gift cards are not for alcohol/tobacco/firearms purchases.
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 needs of 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.