The Community Services Block Grant is funding administered by the federal government that is dedicated to assisting local communities combat poverty. Yolo County receives approximately $300,000 in Community Services Block Grant funding each calendar year. In order to receive the funds, a key stipulation is that local service areas must conduct a bi-annual needs assessment and develop an accompanying action plan for how the community will use the funds to better serve low-income individuals and families.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is the Governing Board for local Community Services Block Grant funding. However, as required by federal statutes, the Board of Supervisors has appointed a 15-member advisory body called the Yolo County Community Services Action Board to assist with administering these funds. The Community Services Action Board works with staff in the Health and Human Services Agency to oversee the bi-annual needs assessment and develop a recommended version of the Community Action Plan, which comes to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.
The following sections explain how the Yolo County Community Services Action Board conducted its needs assessment and developed its Community Action Plan for calendar years 2022 and 2023.
Needs Assessment and Public Input Process
The Community Services Action Board used a two-pronged methodology consisting of public forums and surveys to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.
Staff convened three online public forums. The purpose of the forums was to allow attendees to provide testimony regarding the needs of low-income residents on several critical service topics, including education, elderly services, emergency assistance, employment, housing and homelessness, income, and youth services.
Staff also administered a survey, available in paper and online, to collect further testimony as to the needs of low-income residents. The public was notified of the forums and survey via press releases and social media. Additionally, the information was advertised with stakeholder groups, community partners, and providers.
Staff shared the data and information that was collected during the public input process with the Community Services Action Board at their May meeting. After reviewing the information, the Community Services Action Board provided recommendations on what low-income service delivery options to prioritize in upcoming Community Services Block Grant funding rounds in calendar years 2022 and 2023. Staff prepared a draft Community Action Plan based on this information, which was made publicly available in early June. The Community Services Action Board hosted a Public Hearing at their May meeting to receive public comments on the draft Community Action Plan. At the meeting, the Community Services Action Board recommended extending the comment period to allow for more time for public feedback and voted to approve the version of the Plan that is attached to this report (Attachment A).
2022-23 Community Action Plan
Similar to past findings, the recent assessment indicated an overwhelming need for housing and homeless services, followed by employment assistance, emergency assistance, and education. One question asked survey respondents to indicate the most pressing need for low-income individuals and families in Yolo County. When asked to rank the needs from 1-10 with 1 being the most pressing need for low-income individuals and families in Yolo County and 10 being the least pressing need, the 150 individuals completing ranked homeless and housing services as the highest need with a weighted score of 6.85, followed by employment services with a weighted score of 6.43, emergency assistance with a weighted score of 6.25 and education with a weighted score of 6.07. Based on these results, Yolo County’s Community Action Plan for calendar years 2022 and 2023 proposes to prioritize using Community Services Block Grant funding for the following services:
- Housing and Homeless Services— finding and keeping safe, decent and affordable housing. According to the results of the needs assessment, priorities within the housing and homeless services category include housing navigation assistance, eviction prevention assistance such as help paying rent and/or utilities, supportive services to assist persons to maintain their permanent housing, and transitional/bridge housing.
- Income and Employment Assistance—assisting with employer engagement and recruitment, providing job placement assistance and skills training.
- Emergency Assistance—meeting the immediate needs of food, shelter, clothing, and protection from violence. Priorities within this category include emergency shelter beds for persons and families experiencing homelessness, meals for food-insecure persons and families, as well as safety from crime and domestic violence.
- Education – priorities within this category include providing adult education programs, English as second language classes, life skills training, literacy classes, career/technical education assistance, K-12 retention and persistence services, and access to higher education (i.e. community college, 4-year college).
Next Steps
Staff, in partnership with the Community Services Action Board, is recommending that the Board of Supervisors take several actions related to the 2021-22 Community Action Plan, including:
- Approve the Yolo County Community Services Block Grant Community Action Plan for calendar years 2022 and 2023;
- Authorize the Chair to sign the 2022-23 Community Action Plan; and
- Authorize the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to sign all related forms and amendments to the Plan.
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