Title:
Title
City Council COVID-19 Response: CARES Act Framework and Funding Priorities; Establish Youth Program of Prevention and Unified Power; Agreement: Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management: Youth Program of Prevention and Unified Power CARES Act Grant Agreement [Published for 10-Day Review 08/27/2020]
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-01029
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution: 1) establishing the Youth Program of Prevention and Unified Power; 2) establishing a $1.3 million budget for the Youth Program of Prevention and Unified Power from the CARES Act Program (G02610100) in the Federal CARES Act Fund (Fund 2704); and 3) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute a Youth Program of Prevention and Unified Power CARES Act Grant Agreement with Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management in an amount not to exceed $1.3 million.
FileName
Contact: Christopher Conlin, Assistant City Manager, (916) 808-8526; Lindee Lane, Youth Development Policy Manager, (916) 808-1171, Office of the City Manager
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Coronavirus Relief Fund Programs
3-Resolution
4-Exhibit A: Grant Agreement
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: On June 9, 2020, during a joint meeting with the Youth Commission, the City Council directed the City Manager to explore and determine Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) eligibility to fund Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management’s Youth Program of Prevention and Unified Power (“Program”). The purpose of the Program is to increase basic needs supports for youth and their families and other protective factors that are required to promote healthy youth development, such as social connections and mental health supports, that were lost or reduced due to COVID-19. The grant agreement provides $1.3 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) money to implement the Program.
To increase youth socialization and promote social emotional wellbeing, the Program will educate youth on standard COVID-19 protocols, host multiple weekly virtual activities including recreational, social, and academic focused to help mitigate learning loss due to COVID-19 disruptions. These virtual activities will include breakout rooms staffed by trained peer mentors, under the supervision of an adult, who will check-in with youth showing signs of emotional stress, including depression or anxiety and provide referrals to additional supports when needed.
Additionally, through one-on-one case management, care package delivery and the establishment of a collaborative youth provider referral network, Program staff will identify, support, and connect youth and their households to basic needs resources including food, health, mental health, substance abuse treatment and more. More than 7,000 care packages that include items such as food, technology and supplies to support youth virtual engagement, and PPE will be delivered to youth and their families weekly.
The Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management (“Center”) draws on the Foundation’s more than 30 years of experience as a grant maker in the social determinants of health field, by tapping into established administrative and financial infrastructure. The Center was founded by Sierra Health Foundation in 2012 as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is driven by the promise of equity for all by pursuing social, racial, and economic inclusion in communities across California. The Center has implemented numerous programs in the greater Sacramento area with large collaborations to address immediate community needs including the Black Child Legacy Campaign, My Brother’s Keeper, Youth & Community Pop-Ups and the Positive Youth Justice Initiative. These experiences and background render the Center uniquely qualified to execute this program.
Policy Considerations: The proposed action is responsive to the social, emotional, and physical needs of youth and families impacted by COVID-19 and therefore constitutes a necessary expenditure to mitigate the effects of the public health emergency.
The Sacramento City Code Section 4.04.020 and Council Rules of Procedure (Chapter 7, Section E.2.d) mandate that unless waived by a 2/3 vote of the City Council, all labor agreements and all agreements greater than $1,000,000 shall be made available to the public at least ten (10) days prior to council action. This contract was posted for 10-day review on August 27, 2020 as required.
The proposed action is consistent with the Council-approved Citywide Youth Development Plan and the Inclusive Economic & Community Development initiative.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: The proposed action is not a project under CEQA because it relates to government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to a specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§15060(c)(3), 15378(b)(4)). The proposed action involves activities that are exempt from NEPA under title 24, section 58.34, of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: Stark financial impacts of COVID-19 compounded by the interruption of typical community supports due to closures of public and social institutions such as schools, medical facilities and churches has had negative impacts on the social, emotional, and physical needs of youth and families, particularly the most vulnerable. Under typical circumstances, community-family support nets collectively provide critical protective factors that young people require for healthy development including connections to other supportive adults and their peers. Many parents are struggling to meet the basic physical and emotional needs of youth in their households.
In May 2020, the COVID-19 Resilience Poll (“Poll”) was conducted with over 2,500 greater Sacramento area residents and uncovered the severe impacts COVID-19 has caused in the region. By May, more than 150,000 jobs were lost, and unemployment climbed to over 14%. For those who saw an extreme reduction in income as a result of COVID-19, their ability to afford basic needs is severely heightened; nearly 70% reported that they cannot afford or can barely afford to pay rent or mortgage, 80% reported the same about paying bills and over 60% reported having an inadequate food supply.
These impacts and stressors, as well as general global pandemic worries have increased overall stress and anxiety levels to unrivaled highs. The Poll found high levels of stress and anxiety being reported across the board, but young people and people of color are feeling the emotional and mental health burden the most. Similarly, a citiesRISE survey that included 277 Sacramento youth, implemented during phase 1 of shelter in place, found that COVID-19 has increased levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Sadly, early in the stay-at-home order, two young adults died by suicide in North Sacramento/Natomas.
To reduce and mitigate the negative physical, social, and emotional effects on youth caused by COVID-19, youth development experts recommend that families and communities work together to promote the following protective factors: meet the basic needs of children, youth and families including food, shelter, and health/mental health care; ensure the presence of trusted and caring adults; ensure positive social connections - although in-person contact may be limited during COVID-19, all possible steps to minimize social isolation should be taken and; ensure the wellbeing of caregivers. It is recommended that Sierra Health Foundation be awarded $1.3 million to establish the Program which addresses elements of all protective factors previously mentioned for Sacramento youth and families in need.
Financial Considerations: On April 21, 2020, the City received $89.6 million from the CARES Act in CRF funds to address impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 9, 2020, during a joint meeting with the Youth Commission, the City Council directed the City Manager to explore and determine Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) eligibility to fund Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management’s Youth Program of Prevention and Unified Power (“Program”). This report recommends formally establishing a $1.3 million Program budget from the CARES Act Program (G02610100) in the Federal CARES Act Fund (Fund 2704). The CRF program schedule is included as Attachment 2.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.