CONTRA COSTA COUNTY - File #: 24-3722

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally	Action Details	Meeting Details	Video
11/5/2024	1	BOARD OF SUPERVISORS	approved	Pass		Action details	Meeting details	Not available

To: Board of Supervisors

From: Monica Nino, County Administrator

Report Title: 3^rd Quarter Status Report on Measure X Innovation Fund Projects

☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. RECEIVE report on the third quarter progress of the five grant projects from the first allocation of Innovation Funds.

2. AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, or designee, to extend the grant period through June 30, 2025 for any grantee project not completed by January 15, 2025 and yet is demonstrating satisfactory progress as determined by the County Administrator.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact. Discretion to extend the grant period through June 30, 2025 will not increase grant awards.

Of the $2M allocated in the first round of the Innovation Fund, $30,000 was awarded and spent for five planning grants and $1,790,737 was awarded for five project grants, leaving an unallocated balance of $179,263. To date, $983,096 has been expended from the project grants, leaving an allocated balance of $807,642. Grantees can expend funds through January 15, 2025.

BACKGROUND:

On October 17, 2023, at the conclusion of a year-long competitive bidding process, the Board of Supervisors awarded Measure X Innovation Fund grants totaling $1,790,737 to five promising projects. Contracts with each grantee were executed by the County Administrator effective December 1, 2023, since which time the projects have been underway.

What follows is a short description of each project, Innovation Funds claimed per project through September 30, 2024, and a summary of progress made towards project goals. Also noted are any challenges or impediments reported by the grantees and any anticipated impacts those impediments may have on the project outcomes or timeline.

The County Administrator’s Office will continue to monitor progress, do what can be done to support the grantees, and report to the Board quarterly.

3^rd QUARTER UPDATE

Smart Food Lockers Project, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

Contract Award: $717,500

Claimed thru September 30, 2024: $160,893 (22%)

Program Summary: Purchase of food lockers to enable eligible individuals to retrieve food anonymously and at their convenience. Like the Amazon Hub Locker model, banks of 20 climate-controlled lockers can be placed either inside or outdoors at locations around the county. Food orders are placed electronically, and user codes are granted for food pick-up. Distributions will begin with a standard set of food staples, with a long-term goal of customizing selections for dietary preferences or restrictions. There is capacity for up to three locker fills daily, so each 20-locker bank can potentially serve 60 families/households daily.

3rd Quarter Status Update

The project team reports that the food lockers are slated to arrive later this month (16 weeks after order was placed), wrapped with site-specific branding and installed at the four sites in November. The lockers can begin operating immediately after being installed.

MOUs have been executed for all four sites (Refuge Food Pantry in Concord (Central County); Contra Costa College in San Pablo (West County); Los Medanos College in Brentwood (East County); and DVC San Ramon (South County) and the sites are in the final phases of preparation for the arrival of the lockers.

The following activities are planned for the 4^th Quarter:

• Click n Collect, the locker vendor, will train the Food Bank and partner sites on proper use, restocking, ordering, and food safety for the lockers (October 2024).

• Once the menu is finalized and the locker delivery dates confirmed, the project team will order the food (October 2024). As the project progresses, the team intends to develop a mechanism to collect client and partner feedback on the menu so that adjustments can be made to better meet the dietary needs and preferences of those being served.

• Once the lockers are installed, the project team will help the sites advertise and launch the program. The Food Bank’s internal designer will create a flyer specific to each site.

• After installation, sites will be issued the budgeted stipends to ensure they have the financial support they need to operate the program.

• Once the sites are up and running, the project team will work with each partner to assess bottlenecks that might prevent the program from running optimally or at maximum capacity. One possible pinch point that has been flagged is on-site refrigeration capacity after food is delivered but before it is moved over to the lockers. The project team will work with sites next quarter to make sure sites have the necessary resources to best serve the community.

Impediments. Since the initial project delays, the project team has made significant progress and project activities have advanced smoothly. Nevertheless, with the delayed start to locker operation, the project team may be unable to fully expend the contract award within the approved grant period. Since the only delay in the project schedule was due to the late delivery of the food lockers and the project has otherwise progressed as planned, staff is recommending extending the grantee term for this project through June 30, 2025. Staff believes that the extension will provide the best opportunity for the project goals to be fully realized. The consequence of not extending the grant term for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano would be either that the project balance will go unutilized, or that the balance will be fully expended but only on shelf-stable foods rather than a mix of fresh/perishable and shelf-stable foods.

Pittsburg Mobile Family Resources Program, Lincoln Families

Contract Award: $330,000

Claimed thru September 30, 2024: $152,342 (46%)

Program Summary: The Pittsburg Mobile Family Resources (PMFR) brings resource coordination and direct services together with community engagement. Through a network of service providers, the PMFR promises to provide youth and families with coordinated intake, direct services, resource navigation, and strengthened informal support/community engagement. For the project to succeed, the PMFR requires a strong community champion to lead the project.

3^rd Quarter Status Update

Convening a network of providers who center mental health and wellness as a core of their work to directly support youth and families is critical to the direction of the PMFR project. In Quarter 3, the project team finalized outreach and engagement of members to create a Community Advisory Council, with the first two meetings successfully held. Additionally, the team executed MOUs with partners and continued in the direct service phase of the PMFR. In Quarter 3, a group of 30 African-American Pittsburg elderly residents committed to wellness services, as well as 30 families of children attending Pittsburg schools. A community wellness event was also scheduled in Quarter 3. The following sessions were scheduled and/or held:

• Thurs, Sept 12, 2024 - Introductory Meeting

• Thurs, Oct 10, 2024 - Navigating the Emotional Landscape

• Thurs, Oct 17, 2024 - Ancestral Care and Memory

• Thurs, Nov 7, 2024 - Supporting Community Emotional, Spiritual, and Mental Health

• Thurs, Nov 14, 2024 - Supporting Community Emotional, Spiritual, and Mental Health

• Thurs, Dec 12, 2024 - Community Celebration and Giveaway

The project team identified 11 potential community-based organizations (CBOs) as potential partners for the PMFR project located in Pittsburg and Antioch, and an additional 9 CBOs throughout East Contra Costa County. During the 3^rd Quarter, the team’s project leader executed MOUs with 5 selected organizations that have a particular program focus in serving Pittsburg’s hard-to-reach African-American population.

The Community Leadership Council was established, comprising representatives from Quality over Quantity, People Who Care, Family Purpose, Dignified Path, Flawless Health and Wellness, and team members from Lincoln Families. The initial meeting of the group was held on September 12th, with a workshop convening held for participating members on October 10th. The topic of the convening was Navigating the Emotional Landscape.

In Quarter 3, 30 individuals committed to engaging in wellness services at the Pittsburg Senior Center. This African-American Wellness Group will hold a wellness event that has been scheduled for December 12th at the Pittsburg Senior Center. Additionally, 30 families are receiving family case management provided by Lincoln’s HOPE Contra Costa clinicians. The youth and families selected have high exposure to risk factors and childhood traumas. Families received coordinated intake, resource navigation, and support with basic needs.

Impediments. While the Bilingual Case Manager unexpectedly left Lincoln for other employment, Lincoln reports that it has successfully pivoted by having its Pittsburg-serving clinicians provide comprehensive case management services.

Hispanic Outreach Manager Project, Support4Recovery (S4R)

Contract Award: $143,237

Claimed thru September 30, 2024: $94,860 (66%)

Program Summary: The program will facilitate addiction treatment in the Hispanic community. It is modeled off BiBett's Pueblo del Sol program, which offers a residential detoxification program to Spanish speakers. The program goals are to increase awareness that recovery services are available in Spanish and to help individuals overcome barriers to getting substance abuse treatment, such as obtaining U.S. identification.

3^rd Quarter Status Update

Developing Partnerships. The collaboration between S4R and Casa Club de La Hispanidad has marked a significant expansion in the project team’s efforts to support the Hispanic community, particularly over the last two months. Through their joint initiatives, they have conducted multiple support group meetings. This partnership has enabled the project team to develop a robust plan of action designed specifically to address the legal and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) needs of Hispanics.

Trips to the Mexican Consulate. The project team’s concluding visit to the Mexican consulate, scheduled for the first week of December, will be the final project effort to assist clients in securing the legal documents required by the Department of Motor Vehicles for obtaining an ID or driver's license. Through this initiative, the team has observed firsthand the positive impact that legal documentation can have on an individual's ability to make constructive life choices.

Women’s Focus Group. The establishment of a women's support group marks a significant advancement in community-based recovery initiatives for Hispanic women affected by substance abuse. This collaboration with John Muir Health has created a unique platform where Hispanic women can openly share their experiences, access support, and advocate for services that are specifically tailored to their cultural and personal needs. Meetings are held twice monthly.

Referrals/Placements. During the 3^rd Quarter, the project team facilitated 9 housing, 1 detox, and 2 residential treatment placements. The team also conducted three women’s focus groups attended by a total of 15 women; trained bilingual counselors; referred 3 individuals to legal services, 1 to counseling, 1 to Family Court services, and 1 to work assistance; and assisted one individual to obtain his driver’s license.

Impediments. The limited availability of beds for detox and treatment for Hispanics in Contra Costa County has emerged as a significant challenge for the project. With only eight beds allocated for detox and 12 beds for treatment, the project team has faced constraints in meeting the growing demand for services within the Hispanic community. Despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness and extend support, the shortage of available beds remains a pressing issue.

Digital Inclusion Program, Tech Exchange

Contract Award: $500,000

Paid thru September 30, 2024: $500,000 (100%)

Program Summary: The program promises to source used computer devices from environmentally responsible businesses and individuals and refurbish and distribute devices to persons who receive public benefits and complete 8 hours of free digital skills training, and to nonprofit organizations that serve disadvantaged groups. Training will be offered in multiple languages. The program will employ STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) interns.

3^rd Quarter Status Update

During this period, Tech Exchange worked with ten organizations, including ongoing partners in West Contra Costa County like the Richmond Multicultural Institute and Richmond Public Library, which hosted digital skills course, and device giveaway partners such as the Pittsburg Youth Development Center (PYDC), a youth club that provides recreational and educational activities for the community. In addition to device distributions at PYDC, Tech Exchange provided devices for, and installed, a new computer lab at PYDC’s facility.

In Q3, Tech Exchange also began device distribution partnerships with Diablo Valley College and Pittsburg Unified School District and launched multilingual digital skills classes at the Bay Point Library. Other new collaborations included Hijas del Campo, a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and services to migrant farmworkers and their families.

In Richmond, digital skills classes were held at the Richmond Multicultural Institute and Richmond Public Library. Tech Exchange connected with Richmond High School and Richmond Promise for the first time in the grant period, as well as YouthWorks, an employment services agency for Richmond-based youth from the ages of 16-24, to establish an internship partnership. In addition, a partnership with Ford Elementary is on the horizon, where Tech Exchange will host future internet enrollment events.

Tech Exchange is especially proud of the 101 adult learners who completed its 8-hour digital skills training course in Q3. Each Contra Costa resident not only gained fundamental knowledge about computers and the internet, but they also received a free laptop and a certificate of completion. To date, 249 adults have completed the classes, which have been offered at ten locations throughout the County in both English and Spanish. Looking towards the future, Tech Exchange has four cohorts planned for Q4 in fall 2024 and expects to meet or exceed its target of 300 learners by December 31.

Tech Exchange also continued its device distribution efforts in Q3, providing 120 computers to trusted CBOs and schools to redistribute to the community members who need them most. Thanks to the Innovation Fund, the project team has distributed a total of 416 devices to date, many to high school and college students. For example, Tech Exchange distributed 45 devices to Diablo Valley College’s NextUp program, which supports former foster youth on their educational journey. At the Pittsburg Youth Development Center, Tech Exchange contributed 25 desktop computers and monitors, collaborating to install a computer lab that will provide computer accessibility to community members and students. Through Pittsburg Unified School District, Tech Exchange provided 20 devices to be used as incentives for parents of students attending various program-based workshops and events. Through the Richmond Multicultural institute, Tech Exchange provided 30 devices for the purpose of providing outreach, encouragement for affordable internet signups, and promoting the Multicultural Institute’s food pantry.

Tech Exchange continued to collect used computer equipment from Contra Costa businesses, picking up 26 pieces of e-waste during Q3, bringing the total to date to 652. During the first nine months of the County grant, Tech Exchange has been able to provide direct service or devices to 665 individuals.

Impediments. No impediments reported this quarter.

Food Rescue Hero (FRH) Program, White Pony Express (WPE)

Contract Award: $100,000

Paid thru September 30, 2024: $75,000 (75%)

Program Summary: The FRH application (app) is a pioneering technology solution that connects food producers’ surplus with available volunteer food-runners. It works like Uber, only for free food distribution. FRH provides real-time food delivery, connecting volunteers with smaller food donors like restaurants, caterers, schools, and cafeterias. The app allows food donors to signal when they have excess food. Available volunteers are then pinged via the app and can claim the run, electing to pick up and deliver the food immediately to a matching recipient organization registered in the program. This ground-breaking technology facilitates the dual goals of feeding hungry people and reducing food waste.

3^rd Quarter Status Update

A major factor driving this project is the newly implemented California legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 1383 (Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016), which requires restaurants and smaller food providers to divert 20% of their edible organics from landfills to food recovery organizations like WPE. As a result, WPE has experienced an influx of smaller donations. The FRH app mobilizes volunteers to do the pick-ups and deliveries. Food purveyors have until next year to implement the law, which makes the project team’s work well timed.

WPE has continued to scale its FRH app during the third reporting period. The project team, with the support of a team of ‘food rescue heroes’, has already met the milestones planned in the grant. That said, they recognize there is still much to do to provide reliable access to food- and nutrition-security to people in need.

During the 3^rd Quarter, WPE moved to a new space in Concord, which has allowed the team to increase efficiency and safety. They also obtained a new refrigerator and freezer, which have much greater storage capacity. The challenge with FRH continues to be signing up new food donors, but the team has been able to increase its numbers with the help of the Innovation grant.

During the third quarter, WPE:

• Created and distributed a flier in English and Spanish with QR codes for easy access to sign up to donate food or volunteer.

• Designed a magnet in English and Spanish for placement on restaurant coolers and refrigerators to remind kitchen staff to call WPE for fast, on-demand pick-ups when they have extra food.

• Designed a window sticker to let patrons know they are part of the movement to end hunger and food waste.

• Educated the community, public officials, and decision makers by raising awareness about food waste, food insecurity, the new law, and how to act.

• Promoted food donor partners on WPE’s website and social media.

FRH will generate hundreds of fresh food deliveries, which will complement and expand WPE’s already effective Food Rescue Program.

Impediments. A knowledge gap persists as food producers and restaurants are unclear about reporting, accountability, and compliance with SB 1383. The Innovation Fund Grant is being used, in part, to create materials for distribution that educate and train these providers about the benefits of repurposing edible food waste to feed hungry people in our community.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Should the Board not consent to extending the grant period for certain grantee projects, some portion of grant awards may go unutilized, and some grantees may not be able to accomplish their project goals.