To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Report Title: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE a one-time allocation of Contra Costa Futures Funds (CCFutures) to La Piana Consulting to conduct a LGBTQIA + Service Survey
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE a one-time CCFutures allocation, in the amount of $50,000 towards a LGBTQIA+ Service Survey conducted by La Piana Consulting for the community benefit of Supervisorial District IV and Contra Costa County
FISCAL IMPACT:
This proposal would allocate a one-time $50,000 grant to La Piana Consulting from the remaining balance of the CCFutures to provide for additional community benefits of LGBTQIA+ Service Survey within Supervisorial District IV and Contra Costa County.
BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa Future Fund Establishment
On February 4, 2003, the Board of Supervisors created the Contra Costa Future Fund (CCFutures) by dedicating a portion of the Transient Occupancy Taxes revenue collected from the Renaissance Club Sport Hotel located in the unincorporated Walnut Creek (Contra Costa Centre area).
On October 25, 2011, the Board of Supervisors considered a recommendation of the Finance Committee to deposit all TOT funds (including revenues from the Renaissance Club Sport Hotel for CCFutures programs) into the General Fund as general-purpose revenue and that any future allocations for CCFutures be discussed during the annual budget process rather than through an automatic allocation of TOT revenue. Following this direction fiscal year 2012/13 was the first, full fiscal year that all TOT revenues were deposited directly into the General Fund as unrestricted general-purpose revenue. As of the beginning of fiscal year 2024/25, $1,077,605 CCFutures TOT revenues remain available for allocation.
On August 1, 2023, the Board authorized future use of the remaining one-time CCFutures funds to be directed towards Economic Development in Supervisorial District IV, provide a source of matching fund programs and community benefits to be administered by the District IV Supervisor.
Contra Costa County LGBTQIA+ Service Survey
The LGBTQIA+ population in Contra Costa County is increasingly visible in all parts of the County. Although LGBTQIA+ residents’ needs parallel those of the general population - affordable housing, food assistance, employment assistance, health care, education, etc. - these residents may face barriers to access or may find service providers are unwelcoming or uneducated about their lives and specific needs. In some cases, the LGBTQIA+ population faces unique hurdles, including elevated need for behavioral health support, tobacco addiction, health care, gender transitioning, or other situations where the LGBTQIA+ population faces elevated risks, identity-specific care, or the hurdle of discrimination from caregivers or employers.
Currently, the primary LGBTQIA+-specific service provider in Contra Costa County is the Rainbow Community Center in Concord. Although Rainbow offers a range of services, the bulk of its direct services are in behavioral health. There are several smaller or volunteer groups active in the County, as well, such as Somos Familia and PFLAG. Many other service providers have actively sought to provide welcoming and knowledgeable services to the community.
These positive steps notwithstanding, no comprehensive survey of LGBTQIA+-specific services has been conducted in Contra Costa County. A full understanding of services offered does not exist. Without that information, the gaps in services remain invisible, making it difficult for service providers, funders, and county programs to adequately serve the population with an array of programs that serve the range of community needs
Today’s action requests the Board to authorize a one-time CCFutures allocation, in the amount of $50,000, to be directed towards La Piana Consulting to conduct the LGBTQIA+ Services Survey
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
none