CONTRA COSTA COUNTY - File #: 26-3329

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To: Board of Supervisors

From: Monica Nino, County Administrator

Report Title: Final Report on Round 2 Measure X Innovation Fund Projects

☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee

RECOMMENDATIONS:

ACCEPT the final report on the seven community-based projects funded in Round 2 of the Measure X Innovation Fund.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact. This is an informational report with no recommended action. All projects are funded by a one-time allocation of Measure X sales tax revenue.

Of the $2,077,455 allocated in the second round of the Innovation Fund, $50,000 was used for ten $5,000 planning grants and $2,027,455 for seven project grants, leaving $101,545 unallocated. All projects have been completed with a $144,234 balance unclaimed under several grants. The total balance available in the Innovation Fund is $245,779.

BACKGROUND:

On March 25, 2025, at the conclusion of a formal competitive bidding process, the Board of Supervisors approved the award of Round 2 Measure X Innovation Fund grants totaling $2,027,455 to seven promising projects. Contracts with each grantee were executed by the County Administrator effective May 1, 2025, since which time the projects have been underway. On May 19, 2026 the contract for Support4Recovery was extended by 60 days to allow the grant to be fully expended per direction from the Board of Supervisors on April 28, 2026. Through August 1, 2026, a total of $1,883,221 has been claimed by the grantees, leaving a balance of $144,234.

Below is a brief overview of each project, the Innovation Funds claimed by August 1, 2026, and a summary of performance and goals met. It also includes reported challenges and outcomes.

FINAL UPDATE

ROUND 2 MEASURE X INNOVATION FUND

East County Climate Initiative, Rising Juntos/Urban Habitat

Contract Award: $175,000

Claimed through July 1, 2026: $175,000, 100%

The East County ACT (Advancing Climate Transformation Together) initiative targets climate health inequities by training residents as Climate Ambassadors and conducting a community-based participatory climate needs assessment. In Quarter 4, the project reached a major milestone with the launch of its participatory assessment effort in Antioch, resulting in the community-led assessment and preparing resident leaders to drive the next phase of data collection, analysis, and advocacy.

Key Achievements

• Climate Ambassador Engagement:

o Continued engagement of a cohort of 50 Climate Ambassadors, comprised primarily of low-income Black and Latino/e residents from East Contra Costa.

o Held two planning meetings in March and April to finalize outreach coordination, prepare Ambassadors for assessment launch, and provide survey collection training.

• Assessment Launch & Data Collection:

o Successfully launched the participatory climate needs assessment in late April, creating opportunities for residents to share lived experiences related to extreme heat, air quality, energy affordability, and climate priorities.

o Collected 529 surveys to date, with outreach continuing through the summer.

• Outreach and Engagement:

o Climate Ambassadors and staff engaged 755 households across Antioch.

o Conducted 24 community events and outreach activities, reaching residents at libraries, food distributions, parks, apartment buildings, churches, community gatherings, and partner organizations.

o Reached an additional 226 residents with climate, health, and economic resource information.

• Partnerships:

o Strengthened partnerships with community organizations, service providers, faith institutions, schools, and public agencies to support outreach and survey distribution. These partnerships expanded our reach into communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.

Challenges
Many residents continue to face economic pressures, housing insecurity, immigration-related fears, and limited capacity for civic participation. Engaging renters, unhoused residents, seniors, families with young children, and people of color required sustained relationship-building and outreach in trusted community spaces. Despite these challenges, strong community partnerships and Ambassador leadership ensured effective and inclusive engagement.

Outcomes
The project successfully launched a resident-driven climate needs assessment, increased community education on climate and environmental health issues, and expanded local participation. To date, 529 surveys have been completed, providing meaningful community-informed data. Outreach efforts helped deepen awareness of climate-related challenges while strengthening resident leadership and capacity.

Outlook
Survey collection will continue through summer, followed by analysis and identification of key themes, challenges, and opportunities. Findings will be shared with residents, stakeholders, and decision-makers to inform climate resilience planning and advocacy. Climate Ambassadors will continue leading outreach and interpretation of findings. The project has established a promising model for community-led climate justice planning and will build on partnerships to advance equitable climate solutions in Year 2.

The Gemma Project, Gemma

Contract Award: $425,000

Claimed through April 1, 2026: $425,000, 100%

The Gemma Project provides programming for justice-involved women during their incarceration, with an emphasis on facilitating their reentry into society. The project includes monthly meetings with various stakeholders, such as the Sheriff’s Office and the County Office of Education, to ensure a coordinated approach to programming and support services. Initial outreach commenced in July 2025, engaging incarcerated women to assess their needs and interest in the program. Outreach, policy advocacy, and in-custody programming have continued throughout Quarter 4, despite persistent facility-related constraints that limit cohort size and require an adapted curriculum.

Key Achievements

• In-Custody Day Program Launch:

o The third cohort of the Day Program began on April 11, 2026, concluding on June 6. Across three cohorts, 30 women have participated in the adapted in-custody curriculum.

o Staff maintained a consistent presence inside the housing module, building trust and securing a steady pipeline of interested participants.

• Community Engagement:

o The Gemma Project delivered 11 gender-responsive presentations throughout the grant period - 275% of the original goal. Recent presentations included those to the Contra Costa Public Protection Committee and the Scholars for Justice partnership event at Diablo Valley College.

o The program’s “Silent 10%” community event on June 25 convened justice-involved women, stakeholders, faculty, and community members to highlight policy gaps and center lived experience.

• Policy Advocacy Coalition:

o The coalition continued monthly meetings, identifying systemic gaps and developing policy recommendations focused on equitable access to gender-responsive programming-not simply repurposed male-centered models.

o Coalition findings were formally presented to the Public Protection Committee (May 18), with multiple members providing testimony.

Challenges

Ongoing delays in opening the West County Detention Facility’s new classroom continue to limit Day Program cohorts to 8 participants and require an abridged 3-hour weekly curriculum. These constraints prevented full implementation of the original program model; however, Gemma expanded Continuing Care Coordination through HealthRIGHT 360 to ensure women not placed in the Day Program received reentry support.

Outcomes

• Enrollment: Capacity continues to be limited to 8 participants per cohort due to ongoing facility delays. Across three cohorts, the program has served 30 women in the in-custody Day Program, with a revised projection of approximately 32 women served by the end of the grant cycle, consistent with Quarter 4 constraints

• Completion Rate: Cohort 3 enrolled 10 participants, of whom 6 completed at least 4 sessions. Early releases remained the primary cause of non-completion. Cumulatively across all cohorts, the program has sustained an 82% completion rate (excluding early releases), demonstrating continued strength in participant engagement under restricted conditions.

• Skill Development: Among participants with both pre- and post-assessments, 75% in Cohort 3 showed skill improvements, particularly in self-advocacy and coping skills. Across all cohorts, 77% of assessed participants demonstrated progress, aligning with earlier Quarter 3 trends and confirming strong learning outcomes.

• Continuing Care Engagement: 97% of Day Program completers entered Continuing Care services, and women unable to join in-custody programming due to limited classroom space continued to receive individualized reentry support through HealthRIGHT 360. Of the participants who reached follow-up benchmarks, 55% improved in three or more Quality-of-Life domains at 3 months, and 100% improved in three or more domains at 6 months.

• Reentry & Wellness: 70% of participants made progress in their Reentry & Wellness Plan Goals.

• Community Engagement: The project continued exceeding outreach goals, completing 11 community presentations (275% of target), significantly raising awareness about gender-responsive reentry needs. Social media engagement also increased substantially, driven by event promotion, community partnerships, and outreach related to the “Silent 10%” convening.

Outlook

The project will continue maximizing participation within existing facility constraints, launch a fourth cohort, expand individualized reentry support, and advance the coalition’s policy advocacy efforts.

Microloan Program, St. Vincent de Paul

Contract Award: $147,825

Claimed through July 1, 2026: $60,000, 41%

St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP) continues to advance its Micro Loan Program, aimed at providing low-interest loans and financial education to neighbors in need. While progress has been slower than anticipated, the program remains a promising tool for SVdP’s 700+ volunteer Vincentians.

Key Achievements (May 2025-June 2026)

• Loan Program Administration:

o As of July 1, 2026, the program has issued 7 total loans, including 6 low-interest emergency loans and 1 payday consolidation loan.

o 3 new loans were issued during Quarter 4, bringing the cumulative total loan value to $19,671.

o The range of loan amounts now extends from $1,670 to $3,500, with an average loan size of $2,810.

o Loan performance is mixed: 2 loans have defaulted, while others remain active.

• Financial Education and Client Support:

o 65 financial education sessions and loan-screening home visits have been delivered to neighbors in need since program start.

o Financial education continues to be a core component, helping applicants develop budgeting skills and long-term financial readiness.

• Program Capacity Building:

o Hired a part-time Microloan Coordinator in February to support outreach, applicant screening, and program administration.

o Expanded committee capacity with additional members, including a bilingual financial mentor.

• Outreach and Accessibility:

o Conducted 21 presentations to SVdP branches to increase awareness and referrals.

o Translated program materials into Spanish and expanded bilingual staffing support to improve accessibility.

Challenges

• Committee Capacity: The Micro Loan Committee is too small to effectively market and disseminate program information. Additional members are needed to expand outreach.

• Financial Mentors: Recruiting dedicated mentors has been difficult. Mentors are essential for guiding loan candidates and delivering financial literacy curriculum.

• Complexity of Financial Topics: Many SVdP volunteers (“Vincentians”) are not financial counselors and feel intimidated by technical loan processes. This limits their ability to identify candidates and support them through the program.

• Branch Engagement: More presentations at SVdP branches are needed to increase awareness and participation.

• Financial Literacy Tools: Multiple tools are used to address diverse needs but tailoring them to each neighbor’s situation adds complexity.

• Loan Readiness of Applicants: Neighbors in need are evaluated for viability to receive loans. Many candidates have significant challenges due to the difficult issues they face.

Outcomes

The program issued seven loans totaling $19,671, including six low-interest emergency loans and one payday-consolidation loan. Two loans defaulted. Although loan-volume targets were not met, the program documented meaningful borrower savings through the consolidation of payday and high-interest credit-card debt.

Outlook

Despite slower uptake, SVdP remains optimistic. The addition of a skilled Microloan Coordinator, expanded bilingual support, and increased branch outreach position the program for faster growth in upcoming quarters. While full-year loan targets were not met, Quarter 4 demonstrates measurable progress in capacity building, loan activity, and impactful debt reduction for participating families. Continued focus on committee development and mentor recruitment will strengthen long-term sustainability.

Antioch Schools Newcomer Inclusion Project, Lincoln

Contract Award: $205,600

Claimed through July 1, 2026: $169,905, 83%

Lincoln Families, a community-rooted organization serving Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, continues its mission to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health services for children and families. Through the Antioch Schools Newcomer Inclusion Project, Lincoln Families aims to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed services to immigrant families in Antioch. Quarter 4 was marked by significant program adaptation following the districtwide elimination of the Community School Coordinator (CSC) program, requiring Lincoln to shift from a multi-school model to targeted support at Park Middle School while continuing district-level consultation.

Key Achievements

• Direct Services and Case Management

o Continued providing direct support and case management at Park Middle School, including assistance with food distribution, clothing resources, transportation, housing support, bill assistance, mental health and healthcare referrals.

o Maintained individualized communication with families through in-person meetings and text messaging to respond quickly to emerging needs.

• Family Engagement and Parenting Support

o Completed a fully Spanish-language Cara y Corazón parenting group with 8 families, which is double the participation of previous cohorts.

o Survey results showed strong outcomes:

§ 88% better understood their adolescent

§ 88% increased confidence in parenting

§ 100% would recommend the program to other families

• School & District Coordination

o Participated in district-level California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) implementation meetings.

o Provided onboarding support to newly hired district Community School Coordinators, including guidance on community resources and best practices.

o Continued collaboration with AUSD leadership to sustain newcomer-focused support during CSC program restructuring.

• Multilingual Outreach

o Conducted targeted, multilingual outreach using bilingual flyers and digital invitations to ensure accessibility for Spanish-speaking and newcomer families.

• Newcomer Identification & Support

o Approximately one-third of the active caseload consisted of newcomer families, and Lincoln supported them in navigating school systems, accessing local services, and addressing basic needs during a period of heightened uncertainty.

Challenges

As of March 1, district funding changes to the Community School Coordinator (CSC) program resulted in the removal of Lincoln staff from Park Middle School and Dallas Ranch Middle School. In response to this ongoing challenge, Lincoln Families worked closely with the principal at Park Middle School (PMS) to identify ways to continue providing services outside of the district’s formal funding structure. While districtwide programming was no longer financially supported, AUSD leadership remained aware of and supportive of our continued direct service partnership with Park Middle School. Through this collaboration, we were able to sustain critical family support services, including connections to community resources, onsite food bank distributions, clothing closet access, and direct assistance for families experiencing immediate needs.

Outcomes

Despite challenges, project outcomes for Quarter 4 ultimately exceeded expectations. Lincoln

Families successfully maintained service continuity by shifting from a districtwide model to

targeted district-level consultation and direct school-site support at Park Middle School. We also

continued collaborating with AUSD staff at the district level to provide guidance and support

around ongoing Community Schools implementation planning.

Outlook

Despite the funding change, the project maintained direct services at one school and continued district-level consultation. Family survey results showed strong outcomes, although one district-level performance measure was only partially met and the youth-inclusion measure could not be directly assessed because youth survey data were not collected.

Promotoras de Salud, Hijas del Campo

Contract Award: $273,200

Claimed through April 1, 2026: $252,486, 92%

The Promotoras de Salud or Community Health Worker (CHW) program aims to enhance healthcare access for farm workers amidst challenges related to immigration enforcement and Medi-Cal funding cuts. Despite significant changes in Medi-Cal eligibility and rising fear within the immigrant community, the CHW team sustained strong outreach, direct services, and capacity-building efforts.

Key Achievements

• Insurance Enrollment:

o 63 individuals enrolled in or supported with Medi-Cal renewals.

o 8 additional community members were supported in applying for the Contra Costa Basic Health Care Plan.

• Outreach Impact:

o 111 outreach events conducted across farm sites, HDC headquarters, community events, and Los Medanos College.

o Over 1,430 individuals reached, including 1,306 farmworkers at agricultural sites.

• Community Engagement (quarter 4):

o Participation in 19 community events, including resource fairs, church-based outreach, youth events, and Pride activities.

o Conducted 7 educational workshops on topics including heat illness prevention, pesticide exposure, worker rights, wage theft, rest breaks, and compensation regulations.

• Direct Services:

o Supported 13 Mobile Health Clinic and food distribution days, as well as 26 additional food distribution days.

o 5 referrals to partner clinics and wrap-around service providers, including Dentists on Wheels, RotaCare, and La Concordia.

• Capacity Building:

o 6 professional development trainings for CHWs.

o Participation in regional immigration-enforcement coalitions provided timely updates and mental-health stabilization supports.

Challenges

Changes to Medi-Cal eligibility and limited alternative coverage options left many farmworkers uninsured, increasing demand for free Mobile Clinics and other community-based services. Staff also faced limited training and technical assistance for Covered California enrollment. At the same time, heightened immigration enforcement fears discouraged some community members from leaving home or seeking services and increased the need for mental health support.

Outcomes

The program substantially exceeded nearly all performance goals established at the beginning of the Measure X Innovation Fund grant. Over the grant period, CHWs conducted 140 field outreach days and reached more than 4,000 farmworkers, compared with the original goal of 2,400. They also assisted more than 250 community members with enrolling in or renewing health coverage, exceeding the goal of 150 enrollments.

CHWs participated in 72 community events, far surpassing the goal of 10, and completed 16 of the 20 planned educational workshops. They also participated in 19 professional development trainings. The program strengthened CHWs’ skills and confidence, expanded outreach to Los Medanos College and rural and unincorporated communities, and developed specialized capacity to assist H-2A workers facing labor exploitation and barriers to services.

Outlook

The Measure X Innovation Fund grant concluded at the end of the quarter. Hijas del Campo has secured public funding through the Los Medanos Health Advisory Committee, Contra Costa Health, and the Employment and Human Services Department’s Empowering Enrollment Initiative. Private funding has also been secured from Kaiser Permanente, The California Endowment, and the East Bay Community Foundation.

Hijas del Campo is a finalist for the Impact100 East Bay Award. If selected, the funding would allow the organization to transition CHWs from contract positions to part-time employment with medical and dental benefits. The organization is also seeking technical assistance from Visión y Compromiso to expand training and professional development opportunities and increase the range of services CHWs can provide.

The program has become an integral part of Hijas del Campo’s work and has demonstrated that the Community Health Worker model is an effective and sustainable way to connect migrant and seasonal farmworkers with healthcare, insurance coverage, health education, and other essential resources.

Hispanic Recovery Initiative, Support4Recovery (S4R)

Contract Award: $400,830

Claimed through August 1, 2026: $400,830, 100%

Support4Recovery’s Hispanic Recovery Initiative aims to provide culturally competent, gender-specific recovery solutions to underserved Spanish-speaking or limited/no English-speaking adult Hispanic residents of Contra Costa County who are affected by substance use disorders and related challenges, such as incarceration, homelessness, mental health conditions, and unemployment. During Quarter 4, the program continued supporting clients through residential treatment, outpatient services, education, mental health coordination, case management, and court-mandated programming. Year-end results demonstrate strong program completion and continued engagement among participants.

Key Achievements (May 2025 - July 2026)

• Client Engagement and Completion:

o 36 clients, or 55.4%, successfully completed the program.

o 16 clients, or 24.6%, remained actively engaged in services.

o Overall, 80% of clients successfully completed the program or remained engaged.

• Culturally Responsive Services:

o 98.4% of clients primarily spoke Spanish or were bilingual.

o 45 clients, or 69.2%, entered the program under court mandates and received support with program participation, court reporting, and legal compliance.

• Residential and Recovery Services:

o 58 clients, or 89.3%, received services through gender-specific residential programs.

o 7 clients participated through outpatient, sober-living, or other service pathways.

• Documentation and Family Support:

o 31 clients received assistance navigating passport or identity-documentation processes affecting access to employment, housing, legal services, and family reunification.

o 26 clients were parents or guardians of minor children and required family-centered case management and support.

• Client Milestones

o Successful graduation of one participant and transitions of others into sober living environments, demonstrating progress toward long-term stability.

Challenges

Clients continued to face barriers related to identity documentation, justice-system involvement, mental health needs, employment instability, and parenting responsibilities. Five clients lacked foundational documents needed to advance identity-documentation requests, while clients with minor children faced additional challenges related to childcare, school coordination, and consistent program participation.

Outcomes

The program demonstrated strong year-to-date performance, with 80% of clients either successfully completing the program or remaining actively engaged. Its culturally and linguistically responsive approach helped address gaps in substance use disorder treatment for Spanish-speaking residents while supporting court compliance, family stability, access to documentation, and transitions across residential and community-based recovery services.

Outlook

The program plans to expand identity-documentation assistance, family and childcare supports, data tracking, and educational and vocational partnerships. Priorities include connecting clients with documentation services, Spanish-language education and employment opportunities, and additional family-centered supports that promote continued participation and long-term recovery.

Library Tech Equity Connection, Tech Exchange

Contract Award: $400,000

Claimed thru July 1, 2026: $400,000, 100%

The Library Tech Equity Connection project aims to expand digital access and workforce development opportunities by providing community-based tech support services while training interns through a structured pre-apprenticeship model. Over the grant period, multiple intern cohorts completed training and gained hands-on experience assisting library patrons with technology access, device troubleshooting, internet connectivity, and digital skills development.

Key Achievements

• Volunteer Training: 100 of 100 volunteers trained through train-the trainer workshops.

• Digital Resource Development: Launched 11 multilingual instructional tech support videos to provide on-demand assistance, as well as offering in-person and remote assistance with device use, online navigation, connectivity, and technical troubleshooting.

• Intern Cohorts:

o Recruited, trained, and placed multiple intern cohorts at library-based help desks.

o Five interns completed the third and final cohort and participated in a capstone showcase.

o One intern from the first cohort extended the internship to continue developing workplace and technical skills.

o Provided mentorship, financial literacy, career-readiness activities, and exposure to technology and STEM career pathways.

Challenges
Two interns did not complete the final cohort: one was released after repeated absences, and another withdrew because of competing work commitments. These experiences highlighted the importance of clearly communicating attendance and time requirements during recruitment, maintaining proactive communication, and providing early support when scheduling or participation concerns arise.

Outcomes

The project met all established grant outcomes and performance benchmarks. Interns gained practical digital literacy, customer service, and technical-support experience while helping community members access devices, online resources, and essential digital services. Multilingual resources and in-person and remote support options expanded the project’s reach, while positive feedback from library staff, patrons, and interns demonstrated the value of combining community-based digital navigation with hands-on workforce training.

Outlook
Although the grant period has concluded, efforts will continue to connect interns with education, internships, employment opportunities, and professional development. Ongoing relationships with libraries, employers, workforce development organizations, and community partners are expected to help sustain career pathways for participants and extend the project’s impact beyond the grant period.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Not applicable.

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