Title:
Title
City Council COVID-19 Response: CARES Act Framework and Funding Priorities: Establishing the Youth Mental Health Program
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-01289
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution: 1) establishing the Youth Mental Health Program; and 2) establishing a $501,208 budget for the Youth Mental Health Program from the Federal CARES Act Program (G02610100) in the Federal CARES Act Fund (Fund 2704).
FileName
Contact: Christopher Conlin, Assistant City Manager, (916) 808-8526; Lindee Lane, Youth Development Policy Manager, (916) 808-1171, Office of the City Manager; and Bridgette Dean, LCSW, PPSC, Interim Director, Office of Community Response
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Coronavirus Relief Fund Programs
3-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: On March 13, 2020, the City declared a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 21, 2020, the City received $89.6 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Framework and Funding Priorities: On May 12, 2020, Council participated in a workshop to discuss a CRF framework and funding priorities and on May 26, 2020 adopted a general framework proposed by the Mayor for funding priorities. During the workshop, Council expressed overall interest in funding programs and projects that provide small business assistance, get people back to work, offer opportunities for youth enrichment, address homelessness and housing issues, and support families impacted by this pandemic. The deadline for expending CRF funds is December 30, 2020.
Over the last several months, departments have been working with the City Attorney’s and Auditor’s offices to quickly implement CARES Act funding appropriations in alignment with Council priority areas (see Attachment 2):
• Small Business Recovery and Assistance: Financial, technical, and entrepreneurship assistance to small businesses, non-profits, and community-based organizations (CBOs).
• Youth and Workforce Training Programs:
o Workforce Training: Fund programs and partner with workforce development providers, CBOs, and educational partners at all levels to retrain and uptrain workers dislocated due to the pandemic.
o Youth Enrichment: Implement robust programs, curriculum, and service for youth, including providing the necessary transportation and technology to support these programs.
• City’s Homeless and Rapid Re-Housing: Services to place unhoused individuals into permanent housing and implement homeless aversion programs.
• Arts, The Creative Economy and Tourism: Financial and technical assistance directly to support the arts, tourism, and creative economy that have been devastated by the current pandemic.
• Social Services (Family Services): Funding to support additional services for Sacramento families, including the expansion and availability of childcare services, food access, and programs that address domestic violence exacerbated by the stay-at-home orders.
• Council Community Impact Funding: Mayor/District specific funding to support community programs and operations impacted by COVID-19.
• Citywide Operations: Reimbursements for costs related to expanded medical leave programs, public safety, telecommuting, and health and safety purchases.
On June 9, 2020 the City Council held a joint meeting with the Youth Commission. Following the joint meeting, Council committed $1.3 million in CRF funds to create the Youth Mental Health Program. The goal of the program is to address the mental health needs of youth and families impacted by COVID-19. On September 8, 2020, Council authorized transferring $798,792 from the Youth Mental Health Program to establish the Citywide Youth-Work Based Learning Fall Program leaving a balance of $501,208 from the original $1.3 million commitment. The purpose of this report is to establish the Youth Mental Health Program and establish a budget of $501,208 from the Federal CARES Act Fund (Fund 2704) pursuant to council direction.
Policy Considerations: The City has been impacted by the global pandemic. Establishing programs and budgets that include federal CARES Act funding is consistent with City Council action relative to state and federal grant awards.
Economic Impacts: CARES Act funds and other eligible federal and state grants will assist the City in providing economic relief to residents and businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. Additionally, CARES Act spending will support and advance inclusive economic growth, improve the health of neighborhoods and support people, places, and actions that promote overall economic recovery and impacts immediately and well beyond this pandemic.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): 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)).
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): 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: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: The financial stressors caused by the pandemic coupled with the interruption of typical community supports due to the closures of public and social institutions such as schools has had negative impacts on the social, emotional, and physical needs of youth and families. Council authorization is required to establish the Youth Mental Health Program with a budget of $501,208.
Financial Considerations: This report recommends appropriating $501,208 in CRF funding to establish the Youth Mental Health Program (G02610114) from the Federal CARES Act Program (G02610100) in the Federal CARES Act Fund (Fund 2704). The current CRF program schedule is included as Attachment 2.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.