SUBJECT
Title
APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND DONATIONS RECEIVED BY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY IN CALENDAR YEAR 2025 TO A.B. AND JESSIE POLINSKY CHILDREN’S CENTER AND CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SIGN LETTERS OF APPRECIATION TO THE DONORS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) Policy A-112 and the San Diego County Administrative Code Section 66 requires Board approval to accept gifts and donations over $5,000. The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) periodically receives monetary gifts and in-kind donations of over $5,000 to benefit children temporarily residing at the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center (PCC) and children involved with CFWB. PCC is a County-operated Temporary Shelter Care Facility administered by CFWB and provides 24-hour care for up to 10 calendar days for children and youth under 18 years of age who can no longer safely remain with their family of origin due to abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment.
On April 8, 2025 (5), the Board approved to accept the gifts and donations valued at $47,893 for Calendar Year (CY) 2024. Today’s action requests the Board to accept gifts and donations valuing $26,479 for CY 2025 which includes $20,957 for the benefit of children at PCC and $5,522 for the benefit of children involved with CFWB.
This item 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 furthering collective efforts to maximize resources through community partnerships and making these resources available and accessible.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. In accordance with County Administrative Code Section 66 and Board Policy A-112, accept gifts and donations totaling $20,957 to the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center from Promises2Kids; and accept gifts and donations valuing $5,522 to benefit children involved with Child and Family Well-Being from Promises2Kids.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign letters of appreciation, upon receipt, on behalf of the County of San Diego to the donors.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) periodically receives monetary gifts and in-kind donations of over $5,000 to benefit children temporarily residing at the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center (PCC) and children involved with CFWB. PCC is a County-operated licensed Temporary Shelter Care Facility administered by CFWB and provides 24-hour care for up to 10 calendar days for children and youth under 18 years of age who can no longer safely remain with their family of origin due to abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. Some of the services provided at PCC include physical and mental health services, medication support, and crisis services to all youth entering the facility and throughout their length of stay. In Calendar Year (CY) 2025, PCC served 592 unduplicated children.
PCC represents a unique public-private community partnership that continues to generate periodic gifts and donations from individuals and private corporations for the children residing in this temporary shelter. The partnership maximizes resources available and ensures children at PCC and involved in CFWB have access to gifts and donations that aid youth in maintaining family and community connections and fosters their continued sense of belonging despite the barrier of being unable to safely live with their biological families or in their communities.
Expenditures from gifts and donations received provide all children with increased access to recreational and special events, celebrations, and other items or activities that cannot be funded by other funding sources. Monetary and in-kind donations received are monitored and publicly disclosed through the Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board meetings and annual reporting to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
As a result of the generous contributions from community members and organizations in San Diego County, donations benefit and enrich the lives of children who are temporarily staying at A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center (PCC) and involved with the County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB). The proposed action to accept gifts and donations received by HHSA supports the County Sustainability Goal #1, to engage the community in meaningful ways by building strong collaborations with community partners who provide donations. Additionally, the proposed action supports Sustainability Goal #2, to provide just and equitable access to resource allocation by removing barriers to participation in special events, special activities, and other enhancements that directly benefit the children that would otherwise not be available to them.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) received donations valued at $26,479 between January 2025 and December 2025 to support activities of children at the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center and to support children involved with CFWB. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
This item was presented as an informational item to the Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board at its regular meeting on April 16, 2026.
BACKGROUND
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) Policy A-112 and the San Diego County Administrative Code Section 66 requires Board approval to accept gifts and donations over $5,000. The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) periodically receives monetary gifts and in-kind donations over $5,000 to benefit children temporarily residing at the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center (PCC) and children involved with CFWB. On April 8, 2025 (5), the Board approved to accept the gifts and donations valued at $47,893 for Calendar Year (CY) 2024.
PCC is a County-operated Temporary Shelter Care Facility administered by CFWB and provides 24-hour non-medical care for up to 10 calendar days for children and youth under 18 years of age who can no longer safely remain with their family of origin due to abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. PCC was built on County owned land with funds raised from private donations received through Promises2Kids. The campus includes six residential cottages, a nursery for infants, a medical clinic, school, library, cafeteria, gymnasium, two swimming pools, three playgrounds, and a recreation field. In CY 2025, PCC served 592 unduplicated children with an average daily population of 21 children.
PCC represents a unique public-private partnership that continues to generate periodic gifts and donations from individuals and private corporations for the children residing in this temporary shelter. Monetary donations are deposited to the HHSA PCC Trust Fund. Typical expenditures pay for recreational and special events and for the purchase of toys and other items for the children. During CY 2025, PCC received the following monetary and in-kind donations of over $5,000 to benefit the children at PCC and throughout CFWB:
PCC Monetary Donations
• Promises2Kids donated gift cards in the amount of $300.
PCC In-Kind Donations
• Promises2Kids donated new toys, sports equipment, art supplies, and event tickets valued at $20,657.
Donations received throughout CFWB are disbursed to the children in care to assist with their educational and recreational needs. During CY 2025, the following cumulative donations over $5,000 were made to benefit children involved with CFWB:
CFWB Monetary Donations
• Promises2Kids donated gift cards in the amount of $175.
CFWB In-Kind Donations
• Promises2Kids donated new toys, school supplies, sport equipment, and clothing, valued at $5,347.
Today’s action requests the Board to accept gifts and donations valuing $26,479 for CY 2025 which includes $20,957 for the benefit of children at PCC and $5,522 for the benefit of children involved with CFWB and sign letters of appreciation to the donors.
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 Sustainability (Economy and Resiliency) and Community (Engagement, Quality of Life, Communications, and Partnership) as well as the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe and thriving communities. This is accomplished by providing equitable opportunities for transitional age youth to receive services and support to secure and maintain a safe environment and advance their goal of self-sufficiency.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - Letters of Appreciation