SUBJECT
AUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT FOR CALWORKS EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND CONSULTANT SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Self Sufficiency Services provides a comprehensive array of mandated California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) employment and supportive services to assist families with limited financial resources in achieving economic independence. These integrated services include employment and training activities, housing and stabilization supports, childcare assistance, and other supportive services designed to promote long-term self-sufficiency. Services are coordinated and delivered through contracted providers across the region, with current contracts scheduled to end on December 31, 2026. As the current agreements approach expiration and program requirements continue to evolve, the County has an opportunity to both reprocure services and evaluate the existing delivery model to ensure it remains responsive to community needs and aligned with State direction.
To support this effort, and as part of the County’s ongoing commitment to operational efficiencies and continuous program improvement, a comprehensive assessment of the current employment services delivery model is needed to identify future opportunities to structure the program. To ensure a thorough, objective, and fiscally responsible evaluation, it is recommended that the County engage a consultant to conduct this assessment. Once the consultant has completed the assessment, the findings will be presented to the Board through a formal Board Memorandum.
Today’s item requests the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorize a competitive procurement of CalWORKs employment and supportive services allowing a continuation of these services to participants without interruption.
Today’s actions advance the County vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all and our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by upholding practices that align with community priorities and improving transparency and trust while maintaining strong fiscal management.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a Competitive Solicitation for CalWORKs Employment Services and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award one or more contracts for an initial term of one year and four one-year options and up to an additional six months, if needed, and subject to the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee; and to amend the contract as required, to reflect all changes in programs, services and funding.
2. In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue a Competitive Solicitation or take other authorized action for Consultant Services to conduct an assessment of the CalWORKs Employment Services and associated supportive services program components, including an analysis of a potential in-house model for service delivery, and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award contracts for a term of one year, with three option years and up to an additional six months, if needed and subject to the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee; and to amend the contracts as needed to reflect changes to services and funding.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County of San Diego Self-Sufficiency Services provides programs that promote job readiness, education, employment training and placement, housing stability, and other supports to help low-income families achieve economic independence. Services are designed to meet families at any point in their journey toward long-term self-sufficiency and are delivered at accessible locations by culturally responsive, trauma-informed staff. This approach ensures equitable access to comprehensive, personalized support and emphasizes economic stability, safety, health, and overall well-being, creating pathways for all families to thrive.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s actions support the County of San Diego (County) Sustainability Goal #2 to provide just and equitable access to County services and Sustainability Goal #4 to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the region. These goals will be accomplished by continuing to offer and strengthen existing programs and services for families in need of comprehensive, tailored support to achieve economic stability, safety, health, and overall quality of life.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-28 CAO Recommended Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, this request will result in estimated costs and revenue of $50,0500,000 in FY 2026-27, which includes an estimated one-time cost of up to $500,000 for the assessment of the CalWORKs employment services and associated supportive services program component and estimated costs and revenue of $50,000,000 in FY 2027-28. The funding sources include federal and State CalWORKs Allocation revenue, Refugee Support Services federal funding and one-time Realignment. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
This item was reviewed and approved by the Social Services Advisory Board at its April 8, 2026 meeting.
BACKGROUND
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Self-Sufficiency Services (SSS) offers a broad range of employment and supportive services to help families with limited financial resources overcome barriers to stability. These programs are offered in multiple languages and are available at regional hubs across San Diego County, serving some of the region’s most vulnerable residents. The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Employment Services (ES) is one of the programs administered by SSS. CalWORKs provides temporary cash assistance to eligible families with minor children to achieve self-sufficiency through employment.
The County receives annual allocations from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide CalWORKs Employment Services (ES) along with multiple other supportive services programs. The County’s CalWORKs allocation is based on its ES caseload and expenditures. These services are provided by contracted partners in close coordination with County staff. On average, between 12,000 and 13,000 participants receive CalWORKs ES assistance each month.
Most recently, on July 18, 2017 (8), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized competitive procurement of service providers for the County’s CalWORKs ES. Two contracts were awarded in 2017 to cover different regions of the county, with approximately 375 to 450 contracted staff collectively supporting the program. Prior to 2017, these services had been procured multiple times since the early 2000s.
Employment and Supportive Services
Recognizing that employment is foundational to long-term stability, CalWORKs ES begins with an orientation and a one-on-one assessment to develop a personalized plan. Participants are assigned to employment, education, training, and barrier removal activities based on work history, skills, goals, basic education needs, and any destabilizing factors (e.g., homelessness, domestic violence, mental health, substance use, or learning disabilities). Activity options include adult basic education, English as a Second Language (ESL) support, job search or readiness, community service, vocational education and training, secondary school/General Education Diploma, and employment. To accelerate entry into the workforce, Expanded Subsidized Employment provides part or full-time subsidized positions with the goal of transitioning to unsubsidized employment.
County-contracted partners assess the full range of needs that each participant’s household may be experiencing. While employment is critical to achieving long-term stability, participants must first have their basic needs met. Stable, permanent housing is essential for participants to focus on employment. For CalWORKs families who are unhoused or housing-unstable, the Housing Support Program offers intensive case management (assessment of housing barriers, individualized housing plans, financial coaching, legal resource referrals) and housing navigation to secure permanent housing. Assistance can include bridge housing, relocation and move-in costs, rental subsidies, and prevention to stabilize housing quickly.
SSS also provides supportive services to ensure participants can begin and continue participating in assigned CalWORKs ES activities. These include transportation services such as bus passes, mileage reimbursement, van pools, car repairs, car ownership assistance, parking, and rideshare options. In addition, ancillary support is made available for required items: books, tools, uniforms, licensing/permits, and disability related accommodations. Participants in postsecondary programs may receive advanced payments for books and supplies; those pursuing self-employment may receive limited start-up essentials needed to perform their work. Diaper supportive services are also available for families with children under 36 months. Payments are issued in advance, so participants are not required to use personal funds.
In addition, while participating in CalWORKs ES program, participants receive support if their family is experiencing a crisis or a challenging situation that could interfere with employment activities. The Family Stabilization (FS) program provides short-term support to CalWORKs participants experiencing emergencies such as domestic violence, behavioral health needs, housing or utility crises, or vehicle maintenance issues that prevent participation in CalWORKs ES assigned activities. Once approved, participants develop a FS plan and can receive services like eviction prevention assistance, bridge and rental housing support, help with past due utilities, and Transportation Emergency Assistance for critical vehicle repairs. On average per month, 77 individuals receive housing support, 224 receive utilities assistance, and 112 receive transportation support. These cases are complex and require intensive specialized case management. The case management and services focus on removing immediate barriers, stabilizing the household, and helping participants return to regular CalWORKs ES requirements.
The Stage One Child Care program supports current and former CalWORKs participants by helping them access childcare while they work or participate in approved activities. The program uses a multistage structure to guide participants from initial entry through longer term stability. Participants may request childcare at any time, with eligibility beginning the day the request is made, and they may choose the childcare arrangement that best meets their needs, including care by a friend, relative, licensed, or license exempt provider of their choice. On average per month, 1,347 children are enrolled in childcare. The County’s role includes supporting participants in understanding program requirements and also provides administrative support in receiving, reviewing, and approving attendance records for processing payments to the providers selected by participants.
To help participants who may struggle in employment or CalWORKs ES activities due to a learning disability, SSS provides supportive Learning Disabilities (LD) services. At their initial assessment, participants are offered an LD screening and may request an evaluation at any time. Screenings and evaluations are voluntary and completed by a trained specialist who assesses learning strengths, barriers, and needed accommodations, and provides a written report that guides the participant’s employment and training plan. If an LD is confirmed, reasonable accommodations and supportive activities such as adult basic education, tutoring, or adjusted participation hours are incorporated to help the participant succeed. On average per month, approximately 22 individuals are screened for Learning Disability services.
In addition, and as required by the California Department of Social Services, the County provides culturally responsive, multilingual Refugee Employment Services (RES) for newly arrived refugees. Through this program, eligible refugees, those with qualifying immigration status who have been in the United States for 60 months or less, who are at least 16 years old, and who are employment-ready, receive up to 60 months of employment-focused support. RES offers a comprehensive set of employment and integration services, including development of a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan, job search and retention activities, life skills, acculturation classes, vocational ESL, and in-depth case management to address barriers. Through contracted partners, refugees also receive assistance with Vocational English language learning, systems navigation, school enrollment, childcare coordination, transportation, and social-emotional needs. On average per month, approximately 126 individuals receive Refugee Employment Services.
Together, these integrated services form a comprehensive system of support that meets participants where they are, removes barriers before they become crises, and builds a clear pathway toward lasting stability. By aligning employment, housing, childcare, transportation, and individualized supportive services, the County ensures participants have not just the opportunity to work, but the foundation to thrive. CalWORKs ES and supportive services strengthen economic mobility, stabilize households, and ultimately transform short-term assistance into long-term self-sufficiency.
This integrated, client-centered approach is reflected in the positive outcomes of the program. The County continues to lead the State in CalWORKs performance outcomes. According to the CDSS CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review dashboard, the County consistently surpasses statewide benchmarks and peer counties. Of the 10 reported measures, in which data is available, San Diego has exceeded state averages in 8 for the last 12 consecutive months. These measures include participant orientation attendance, first activity engagement, fewer instances where participants face penalties for not meeting program requirements (lower sanction rates), and more frequent resolution of those penalties when they do occur (higher sanction resolution rates). These indicators reflect strong program integrity, sustained participation, and timely case progression.
Reprocurement of these services will support the County’s goals for equitable contracting, by breaking the work into smaller contracts, making it easier for different organizations to serve the areas with the highest need. It will also prioritize cultural responsiveness through service delivery models. This will expand opportunities for multiple diverse offerors as well as promote partnerships with small, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, and other community-based organizations. To continue to lead the State in CalWORKs performance outcomes, successful offerors will be held to robust performance goals to ensure programmatic metrics are achieved and surpassed. Today’s action requests the Board authorize a competitive procurement of employment and supportive services allowing a continuation of these services to participants in all County regions without interruption.
The CalWORKs program has expanded significantly over the years through State mandates and core program components reflect longstanding legislative direction and prescribed service models. While these requirements form the foundation of current service delivery, they continue to evolve as State priorities shift, community needs emerge, and new policy decisions are made. As the landscape changes, the County’s implementation of CalWORKs ES will adapt accordingly to remain aligned with CDSS guidance and ensure families receive services that are responsive, relevant, and effective. Procurement of consultant services will support the County’s commitment to operational efficiencies and continuous program improvement. A comprehensive assessment of the current CalWORKs ES structure is recommended to analyze, evaluate and propose enhancements to future service delivery. Staff will procure a consultant to lead the analysis of the current program and help to identify opportunities for consideration by the Board and a timeline for implementation. Once the consultant has completed the assessment, the findings will be presented to the Board through a formal Board Memorandum.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the County of San Diego 2026-2031 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Equity (Health) and Community (Quality of Life) as well as the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This is accomplished by supporting services for families with limited financial resources and promoting self-sufficiency throughout San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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