COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
1600 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, ROOM 335, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92101-2470

AGENDA ITEM

DATE:

May 19, 2020

TO:

Board of Supervisors

XX

SUBJECT
RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR
CARES ACT FUNDING (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
The novel coronavirus has not only been a debilitating and deadly disease, its impact on economic,
physical and emotional health has been devasting. Unemployment has skyrocketed, businesses
have closed down and we are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety.
San Diego County will rebound from the COVID-19 public health crisis and critical dollars from
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be crucial for recovery in
our region. We must move with purpose to balance the $334 million in CARES Act funding that
we have already received so that we underwrite our costs for responding to the crisis while also
providing equitable support for the communities, businesses and constituents we serve.
Today’s action provides a comprehensive plan for the CARES Act funding so that we fully address
the County’s response to the crisis, and distribute funding for city expenses, economic recovery,
behavioral health, child welfare and childcare for essential workers.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER AND SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB
1. Approve the following comprehensive plan for CARES Act funding:
a. $175 million for the County response
b. $100 million for T3 – Test, Trace and Treat
c. $5 million for childcare for essential workers
d. $20 million to cities for documented Covid-19 expenses (other than City of San Diego)

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RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS WITH A
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e. $17 million for economic stimulus in the region
f. $15 million for Behavioral health telehealth capabilities and $2 million for Child
Welfare Services expanded outreach
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board within 45 days with
recommendations on implementing economic stimulus programs for restaurants and small
businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis based on $17 million of CARES Act funding.
3. Establish appropriations of $15,000,000 in Behavioral Health Services, Services and
Supplies, to provide funding for costs related to telehealth capabilities, electronic health
record upgrades and care coordination, outreach and engagement and workforce
recruitment and retention associated costs based on federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and
Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funding. (4 VOTES)
4. Authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, upon successful
negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, to enter into a contract or
contracts, and to amend existing contracts, to enhance behavioral health services telehealth
capabilities, upgrade electronic health record and care coordination, and provide outreach
and engagement and workforce recruitment and retention in response to the COVID-19
pandemic and stay at home order.
5. Establish appropriations of $2,000,000 in Child Welfare Services, Services and Supplies,
to enhance existing contracts to include expanded outreach, services and support for at-risk
families identified by school districts who are disconnected since closure due to COVID19 pandemic based on CARES Act CRF. (4 VOTES)
6. Authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, upon successful
negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, to enter into a contract or
contracts, and to amend existing Child Welfare Services contracts, in support of the
Wellness Checks for Families program.
FISCAL IMPACT
If approved, today’s allocation will set the allocation for the $334 million in CARES Act Funding.
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BACKGROUND
The novel coronavirus has not only been a debilitating and deadly disease, its impact on economic,
physical and emotional health has been devasting. Unemployment has skyrocketed, businesses
have closed down and we are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety.
San Diego County will rebound from the COVID-19 public health crisis and critical dollars from
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be crucial for recovery in
our region. We must move with purpose to balance the $334 million in CARES Act funding that
we have already received so that we underwrite our costs for responding to the crisis while also
providing equitable support for the communities, businesses and constituents we serve.
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Economic Stimulus for Small Businesses
Small businesses have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses have had to lay
off staff and completely upend their business models. Unemployment rates are now greater than
27 percent, with disproportionate impacts to our hospitality sector. The economic squeeze is taking
its toll on workers, and about one in six callers to 2-1-1 San Diego has requested emergency food
assistance. Around 45 percent of San Diego restaurants have closed entirely due to COVID-19,
according to the Department of Environmental Health. Those that are in operation have set up
delivery, pick-up or take-out, and are operating with reduced capacity and employees. The strain
on our local economy is expected to persist unless concerted and aggressive measures are taken to
kick-start small businesses and lay the foundation for a successful and smooth economic recovery.
As more businesses are now resuming operations, the infusion of federal stimulus funds can help
our small businesses overcome painful hurdles in the months ahead.
Adapting Health and Human Service Delivery
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which has closed schools, community centers, libraries
and other social venues has literally shut down and isolated our vulnerable community members.
We know that vulnerable populations thrive when they have community supports and services
readily at their disposal. In response, we need to be innovative in our approaches to delivering
critical health and human services and adapt them to the changing environment. This includes
revitalizing our behavioral health system to provide the technology infrastructure, software and
staff training to provide services through telehealth. We can also leverage our existing network of
Child Welfare Services contractors to proactively reach out and support youth and families
identified by school districts countywide who are at risk of entering the child welfare system.
Today’s action provides a comprehensive plan for the CARES Act funding so that we fully address
the County’s response to the crisis, and distribute funding for city expenses, economic recovery,
behavioral health, child welfare and childcare for essential workers.
We urge your support.
Respectfully submitted,

NATHAN FLETCHER
Supervisor, Fourth District

DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District

ATTACHMENT(S)
N/A

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AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION SHEET

REQUIRES FOUR VOTES:

☒

Yes

☐

No

WRITTEN DISCLOSURE PER COUNTY CHARTER SECTION 1000.1 REQUIRED
☐
Yes ☒
No
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOARD ACTIONS:
N/A
BOARD POLICIES APPLICABLE:
N/A
BOARD POLICY STATEMENTS:
N/A
MANDATORY COMPLIANCE:
N/A
ORACLE AWARD NUMBER(S) AND CONTRACT AND/OR REQUISITION
NUMBER(S):
N/A
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: Districts 4 and 2, Board of Supervisors
OTHER CONCURRENCE(S):

N/A

CONTACT PERSON(S):
Paul Worlie
Name
(619) 531-5544
Phone
Paul.Worlie@sdcounty.ca.gov
E-mail

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Jeff Collins
Name
(619) 531-5522
Phone
Jeff.Collins@sdcounty.ca.gov
E-mail

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