SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE AMENDMENTS TO VOCATIONAL ENGLISH-AS-A-SECOND LANGUAGE CONTRACTS TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT FUNDING AMOUNTS TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINIANS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (HSEC-OIRA) utilizes various programs and funding to advance equity and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities. This is accomplished by removing barriers to help achieve self-sufficiency, integrate into society, and thrive. On September 26, 2023 (5), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized acceptance of Housing Assistance for Ukrainians (HAU) funding from the California Department of Social Services Refugee Programs Bureau, which is designated to provide housing and utility assistance to refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine.
HSEC-OIRA previously dedicated a portion of HAU funding into two Vocational English-as-a-Second Language (VESL) contracts. Both VESL contracts are administered by the International Rescue Committee and provide a range of supportive services to refugees. Services aim to bolster success in obtaining employment on the path to self-sufficiency. In addition, the HAU component of the VESL contracts offers critical housing and utility support for Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian eligible households who seek self-sufficiency in the San Diego County region. Today’s action requests the Board authorize amendments to increase the contract funding amounts to ensure that enrollment in the HAU program is completed by the State funding deadline of September 30, 2024, and that refugees continue to receive critical support services.
Today’s action supports the County vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind, as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by supporting programs that remove barriers to housing and provide resources for refugee populations, strengthening regional economic inclusion and equity.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, and Administrative Code Section 401, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to amend the Vocational English-as-a-Second Language contracts (#563364 and #563363), to increase the contract funding amounts, subject to the availability of funds and approval of the Agency Director, Health and Human Services Agency.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
According to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Refugee Programs Bureau, San Diego County is among California’s designated refugee-impacted counties (where large populations of refugees resettle). The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (HSEC-OIRA) recognizes the importance of an infrastructure of services through public-private partnerships to help immigrant and refugee populations achieve self-sufficiency, integrate into society, and thrive. HSEC-OIRA works collaboratively with other County departments and community partners to address economic and social inequities, many of which disproportionately impact immigrants and refugees. This includes activating a variety of strategies to ensure that immigrant and refugee populations do not feel isolated or become unhoused.
Built upon the success of the community and stakeholder engagement process in response to the influx of Afghans into San Diego County in 2021, HSEC-OIRA has been holding public facing engagements that include virtual and in-person listening sessions. In November 2023, HSEC-OIRA hosted a listening session at the Southeastern Live Well Center and collaborated with local community members by focusing outreach on local businesses and community-based organizations. A large proportion of attendees at the listening session were Ukrainian and expressed needs related to housing and language support. The effort to amend the Vocational English-as-a-Second Language contracts to increase the funding amounts will result in the continuation of essential housing and utility assistance to refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s action supports the County of San Diego Sustainability Goal #1 of engaging the community, Sustainability Goal # 2 of providing just and equitable access, and Sustainability Goal #4 of protecting the health and well-being of San Diegans. By engaging the community through collaborative partnerships, regional listening sessions, forums, steering committees, and surveys to collect community input, refugee support services programs have been designed to better serve the needs of refugee and immigrant communities. Refugee support services programs aim to remove barriers and provide opportunities for equitable access to resources to protect the health and well-being of all San Diego County residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-26 CAO Recommended Operational Plan for the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, this request will result in one-time costs and revenue of approximately $1,590,000 in FY 2024-25. The funding source is the California Department of Social Services Refugee Programs Bureau and is a one-time funding allocation from the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
San Diego County has been designated as a refugee resettlement site by the federal government since 1975 and has been one of the largest resettlement sites in the United States over the last decade. In addition, according to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB), San Diego County is among California’s designated refugee-impacted counties (where large populations of refugees resettle). Historically, programs and services for immigrant and refugee communities have been limited or unavailable due to immigration status. RPB offers statewide funding opportunities to local jurisdictions to provide immigrant and refugee services with the goal of reducing disparities among refugee communities.
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (HSEC-OIRA) oversees various refugee employment and support programs and leverages funding to advance equity and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities. This is accomplished by removing barriers to achieve self-sufficiency, integrate into society, and thrive.
The Vocational English-as-a-Second Language (VESL) program for refugee participants provides a multi-tiered approach to increase English proficiency while learning job-specific vocabulary and develop skills to obtain employment. Other services provided include workshops on financial and computer literacy, and driver education. Since 2015, the International Rescue Committee has been the contracted provider to serve newly arriving refugee families who have resettled in San Diego County through the VESL contracts. More recently in 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the VESL contracts were amended to provide housing assistance to refugees, special immigrant visa holders, and other immigrant populations.
On August 6, 2019 (9), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved submission of the 2020-2022 Refugee Employment Services Plan, now referred to as Refugee Support Services (RSS) Plan. The services outlined in the plan addressed priority issues identified through review of stakeholder feedback and other community data. Strategies included providing support to English language learners as they looked for employment and started work, strengthening connections between employers and refugee job seekers, increasing opportunities for acculturation, and helping connect refugees with important supportive services. The RSS Plan outlines programs based on federal funding received from RPB for refugee programs.
In August 2023, RPB notified HSEC that the County was eligible for an allocation of the 2023 Additional Ukrainian Supplemental Appropriation Act (AUSAA) funding. The funding is intended to provide refugee support services to Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians who were displaced due to the war in Ukraine. The funding included an allocation for the Housing Assistance for Ukrainians (HAU) program that provides time-limited housing and utility assistance via subsidies to eligible households. Following this notification, on September 26, 2023 (5), the Board authorized acceptance of AUSAA funding and authorized submission of the 2024-26 RSS Plan to RPB.
The VESL contractor has an extensive network of resources and experience in administering housing assistance programs. Recognizing the strong connection between housing stability and stable employment, HSEC amended the existing VESL contracts (#563364 and #563363) in March 2024 to expedite the program start date, maximize all potential benefits, and provide continuity of the provider relationship with the local Ukrainian community forged through the administration of the VESL contracts.
Today’s action requests the Board authorize amendments to the VESL contracts to further increase the contract funding amounts in order to maximize enrollment into the HAU program prior to the state funding deadline of September 30, 2024, and to ensure that refugees continue to receive critical support services.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today's proposed action aligns with the County of San Diego 2024-2029 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Community (Quality of Life), Equity (Health), and the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This is accomplished by providing increased access to resources, including programs and services that enhance the well-being of San Diegans and improve equity by reducing disparities and disproportionality in the refugee and immigrant population groups.
Respectfully submitted,
sarah e. aghassi
Interim Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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