To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: 20-722-0 The Regents of the University of California - Contra Costa THRIVES Guaranteed Basic Income Program
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute an agreement with The Regents of the University of California, for its Davis Center for Regional Change in an amount not to exceed $615,261 to implement a comprehensive evaluation for Contra Costa THRIVES Guaranteed Basic Income Program for the period October 1, 2025 through June 30, 2032.
FISCAL IMPACT:
75% Measure X and 25% AB 109 funds budgeted in FY 25/26.
$167,445: 75% Measure X and 25% AB 109 funds will be budgeted in FY 26/27.
$75,391: 75% Measure X and 25% AB 109 funds will be budgeted in FY 27/28.
$36,919: 75% Measure X and 25% AB 109 funds will be budgeted in FY 28/29.
$35,746: 75% Measure X and 25% AB 109 funds will be budgeted in FY 29/30.
$34,582: 75% Measure X and 25% AB 109 funds will be budgeted in FY 30/31.
$75,441: 75% Measure X and 25% AB 109 funds will be budgeted in FY 31/32.
BACKGROUND:
On July 8, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved D.1. approving the Contra Costa THRIVES Guaranteed Income Pilot Program for administration by the Employment and Human Services Department to serve 170 recipients over an 18-month period.
The Regents of the University of California, Davis will be responsible for implementing a comprehensive evaluation of the Contra Costa THRIVES Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) program. This includes developing data collection tools, coordinating survey administration, issuing incentives to treatment and control group members, and managing data collection timelines in alignment with the program’s implementation schedule. The Regents of the University of California, Davis will analyze quantitative data to assess program outcomes, including impacts on financial stability, housing security, and recidivism. Additionally, regular progress updates and a comprehensive final evaluation report that includes findings, lessons learned, and recommendations to inform future guaranteed income initiatives will be delivered.
This agreement includes mutual indemnification to hold harmless both parties for any claims arising out of the performance under this agreement.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the proposed action not be approved by the Board of Supervisors, EHSD will lose the opportunity to carry out an independent, objective, and rigorous evaluation of the program’s outcomes. Without this evaluation, the County may be unable to clearly demonstrate the program’s impact on economic stability and other key measures. This could limit future funding opportunities, hinder efforts to replicate the program, and reduce stakeholder confidence in its effectiveness.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This agreement supports four of the five Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card, (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (3) "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families”.