FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: September 14, 2026
Subject: Appointments to the Family and Children’s Trust Committee (FACT)
Submitted For: Marla Stuart, Director
Department: Employment and Human Services Department
Referral No: N/A
Referral Name: N/A
Presenter: Laura Malone, FACT Staff
Contact: Laura Malone, 925-608-4885
Referral History:
On January 7, 2020 the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2020/1 adopting policy governing appointments to boards, committees, and commissions that are advisory to the Board of Supervisors. Included in this resolution was the requirement that applications for at large/countywide seats be reviewed by a Board of Supervisors committee.
The Family and Children’s Trust Committee (FACT), was established in 1982 by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to make funding recommendations on the allocation of a variety of funds for prevention and intervention services to reduce child abuse and neglect, provide supportive services to families and children, and promote a more coordinated, seamless system of services for families. Funding for FACT supported projects derived from federal and state program legislation, and donations to the County’s Family and Children’s Trust Fund.
Every two years, the members of the FACT establish a series of County priorities for the use of these funds through review of existing data and reports and by holding Public Hearings in various areas of the county. The Committee then develops a competitive bidding process to select non-profit, community-based agencies that can best provide the services determined to be most important. Program recommendations are made to the Board of Supervisors which makes the final funding decisions. The Committee continues to evaluate these funded programs to ensure continued provision of quality service and achievement of stated goals. Programs currently being supported include countywide parenting classes, therapeutic day care for emotionally disturbed children, treatment for families, young children and teens with both substance abuse and child abuse issues, services for homeless families, and projects to support children whose mothers have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
On March 19, 2024 the Board of Supervisors approved a reduction of FACT Committee member seats from fifteen (15) to eleven (11). This reduction has allowed the FACT Committee to achieve quorum and meet regularly. Members are appointed by the Board and include citizens with expertise in children’s issues, education, law, non-profit agency management, public health, and program research/evaluation. Terms for all Commission seats are two years.
At Large and non-District appointed seat vacancies on the FACT have been assigned for Family and Human Services Committee review since 2003.
Referral Update:
The FACT Committee met on August 3, 2026, and vetted all prospective re-appointment requests. After review and vote, the FACT Committee recommends re-appointing Ms. Allen to the FACT At-Large Seat 1, Ms. Hampshire to the FACT Discipline Specific Seat 1 - First 5 Commission, and Dr. Shires to the Discipline Specific Seat 2 - Mental Health, all of which have a term expiration of September 30, 2026 and if approved will have a new term through September 30, 2028
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECOMMEND to the Board of Supervisors the reappointment of Nakenya Allen to the At-Large #1 seat, Emily Hampshire to the Discipline Specific #1 seat - First 5 Commission, and Dr. Rhiannon Shires to the Discipline Specific #2 seat - Mental Health with terms ending September 30, 2028 on the Family and Children’s Trust Committee (FACT).
Fiscal Impact (if any):
There is no fiscal impact for this action.