|
DATE: |
November 7, 2023 and December 5, 2023 |
07 |
SUBJECT
Title
SECOND CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE:
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE AND BOARD POLICY SUNSET REVIEW 2023; APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PROVISIONS IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RELATING TO THE GENERAL RELIEF PROGRAM (NOVEMBER 7, 2023 - FIRST READING; DECEMBER 5, 2023 - SECOND READING) (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On November 7, 2023 (07), the Board of Supervisors took action to further consider and adopt the Ordinance on December 5, 2023.
In accordance with San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) Policy A-76, Sunset Review Process, the County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) periodically reviews County Administrative Code and Board Policy to ensure policies reflect current Board standards and practices.
Today’s actions seek Board approval to amend provisions in the San Diego County Administrative Code relating to the General Relief Program and extend the Sunset Review date; and determine no change is necessary to Board Policy A-128, Comprehensive Homeless Policy and approve the Sunset Review date.
The ordinance makes non-substantive changes to remove language that is not currently used in California law. It will be introduced to the Board on November 7, 2023, and if approved, will be scheduled for adoption on December 5, 2023. If the proposed ordinance is altered on December 5, 2023, a subsequent meeting date will be selected for the ordinance’s adoption.
This item supports the County’s vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically underserved as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished as the County Administrative Codes and Board Policies provide a framework for a county that is healthy, safe, and thriving. Additionally, in alignment with the Board’s commitment to transparency and open government, the Sunset Review process is an opportunity for HHSA to reflect on current policies through an equity lens and recommend changes that allow for greater transparency.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Consider and adopt (second reading):
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RELATING TO THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY GENERAL RELIEF PROGRAM.
2. Update the Sunset Review date of the San Diego County Administrative Code, Article XV-C, General Relief Program, to December 31, 2030.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
As part of standard practice, the County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) performs an annual review of Board Policies and County Administrative and Regulatory Codes that are sunsetting to ensure alignment with current San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) values and to ensure that they are updated to reflect applicable laws and regulations. In alignment with the Board’s commitment to transparency and open government, the Sunset Review process is an opportunity for HHSA to reflect on current policies through an equity lens and recommend changes that allow for greater transparency.
The changes recommended support the Board’s framework toward achieving better outcomes for consumers. The recommended changes regarding Article XV-C, General Relief Program, reflect the County’s priority in supporting policies that address disparities and disproportionality and ensure access for all through a fully optimized health and social service delivery system and upstream strategies.
Future Sunset Reviews will continue to utilize an equity lens and a quantitative data-driven approach. Additionally, it is anticipated that these actions will have a positive impact on equity-seeking groups including, Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, youth, and the LGBTQ+ community.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s actions strive for programs and operations that reflect the County of San Diego’s (County) values and priorities. By aligning with the County’s Sustainability Goals, the changes reflect more equitable, sustainable, and impactful practices. Specifically, extending the Sunset Review date for Board Policy A-128, Comprehensive Homeless Policy, aligns with Sustainability Goal #1 engaging the community in meaningful ways, by investing in community-centered approaches and collaborative leadership to address homelessness. Board Policy A-128 also aligns with Sustainability Goal #2, providing just and equitable access to County services and resources by prioritizing services for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and are part of a particularly vulnerable populations.
Today’s action related to Article XV-C, General Relief Program, supports the County’s Sustainability Goal #2, by continuing to focus investments on chronically underserved communities, and investing in resilience in vulnerable populations. By updating the sunset date of this ordinance, this action continues to align available County resources with services to maintain fiscal stability and ensure long-term solvency as well as creates policies to reduce poverty, promoting economic sustainability for all. In addition, amendments will ensure the capability to respond and recover to immediate needs for individuals in the region.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommendations. There will be no change in net general fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
This item if approved will be presented to the Social Services Advisory Board (SSAB) at their regular meeting on November 15, 2023 as an informational item.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) Policy A-76, Sunset Review Process, the County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) periodically reviews Board Policies and the County Administrative Code and Regulatory Code. Revisions to Board Policies and the County Administrative Code are recommended to reflect current Board standards and practices and to reflect any changes in laws, policies and regulations that govern County departmental operations and services.
Sunset Review of Article XV-C
Effective January 1, 2022, the State of California removed all references to the word “alien” in California state statutes. Assembly Bill 1096 (2021) states:
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to make only non-substantive changes that remove the dehumanizing term “alien” from all California code sections. Nothing in this measure shall be interpreted to make any substantive change to existing law, including, but not limited to, eligibility for federal programs or benefits that are available to a person who meets the definition of “alien” under state or federal law.
The proposed revisions to Administrative Code, Article XV-C, General Relief Program, will align with California law by removing the word “alien” in Section 264 and the title of Section 265. The changes in this Ordinance are non-substantive and are not intended to not expand or reduce eligibility criteria or requirements.
The next Sunset Review date is proposed to be December 31, 2030.
Sunset Review of Board Policy A-128
No changes are requested to Board Policy A-128, Comprehensive Homeless Policy, except for updating the Sunset Review date to December 31, 2030. Board Policy A-128 was revised per Board direction on April 6, 2021 (6) and those revisions were adopted by the Board on February 8, 2022 (1). County Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities led the enterprise-wide collaborative efforts to revise Board Policy A-128 to incorporate the Board’s guiding principles on addressing homelessness and the revisions centered around the County’s Framework for Ending Homelessness to incorporate and capture the County’s comprehensive current and future efforts to address and end homelessness. The proposed Sunset Review date change to this Board Policy is attached as Attachments C and D.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the County of San Diego’s (County) 2023-2028 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Sustainability (Resiliency), Equity (Health and Housing), Empower (Innovation) and Community (Engagement), and the regional Live Well San Diego vision by ensuring County policies are transparent, efficient, inclusive, data-informed, outcome- and evidence-based, equitable, sustainable, and culturally responsive to support the health and social services provided to the residents of San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Interim Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - ORDINANCE NO. - CLEAN
Attachment B - ORDINANCE NO. - INFORMATIONAL COPY
Attachment C - Board Policy A-128, Comprehensive Homeless Policy - CLEAN
Attachment D - Board Policy A-128, Comprehensive Homeless Policy - INFORMATIONAL COPY