Title:
Title
Sacramento Family Unity, Education, and Legal (FUEL) Network Grant Award
End
FileID
File ID: 2021-00221
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute a grant agreement with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation for a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000 to fund the continued operation of its Sacramento Family Unity, Education, and Legal (FUEL) Network.
FileName
Contact: Christopher Conlin, Assistant City Manager, (916) 808-8526, Office of the City Manager; Bridgette Dean, LCSW, PPSC, Director, (916) 808-1222, Department of Community Response
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Grant Agreement
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Since 2017, the City has consistently invested financial resources into the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation’s Family Unity, Education, and Legal (FUEL) Network. A collaborative comprised of myriad entities, the Sacramento FUEL Network is dedicated to helping Sacramento residents prevent, prepare for, or defend against the possibility of deportation through the provision of free legal, outreach, education, and mental health services. This report recommends awarding the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation with a $250,000 grant to fund the continued operation of the Sacramento FUEL Network.
Policy Considerations: In 1985, the City Council adopted Resolution 85-973 declaring Sacramento a “sanctuary city [that] shall serve as a haven for refugees now residing in the City of Sacramento until they can safely return to their homeland or until they receive federally recognized residency status”. In 2017, the City Council reaffirmed Sacramento’s status as a sanctuary city.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: This report concerns administrative activities and government fiscal activities that do not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(2) and 15378(b)(4) and are not subject to the provisions of CEQA (CEQA Guidelines15060(c)(3)).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: Given the City’s strong history of welcoming people of diverse background and immigrant status, staff recommends approval of the proposed $250,000 grant award to fund the provision of the following services:
• Legal services
o Provide pro bono legal services to at least 50 unduplicated persons. Such services shall include, but are not limited to:
§ Preventative legal services to help immigrants obtain immigration status and/or prevent against the possibility of deportation
§ Direct legal representation to detained immigrants in bond and/or deportation proceedings
§ Consultations and referrals to other pro bono immigration attorneys
• Outreach
o Conduct outreach about the FUEL Network to at least 1,500 unduplicated persons in need of immigration education or services
o Oversee a referral system including coordinating a 24/7 rapid response hotline
o Publicize Network services at events, online, and via social media
• Education
o Offer education and family preparedness services to at least 3,000 unduplicated persons
o Create and regularly update “know your rights” workshop curriculum and content
o Host at least five in-person or virtual partner meetings or trainings for members of the FUEL Network collaborative focused on improving service provision and ensuring coordination
• Mental Health Services
o Offer mental health services to at least 25 unduplicated immigrants. Such services shall include, but are not limited to:
§ Individual therapy sessions for immigrants impacted by deportation or immigration enforcement
§ Group therapy sessions for immigrants impacted by deportation or immigration enforcement
§ Psychological evaluations for individuals’ immigration cases
Financial Considerations: There is sufficient funding in the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation Multi-Year Operating Project (I02000800) for this grant award.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.