A Report by the 2015-2016 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury*

Recommendations 11

• R1
  The County should organize an event to educate select city managers, economic development officers and local Chambers of Commerce Representatives about (a) the economic gains to be realized from increased CalFresh participation, and (b) how to sponsor their own local enrollment events, after identifying funds to do so. RESPONDENT RESPONSES Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future.
• R2
  The County should recruit representatives of local businesses, such as business associations and/or Chambers of Commerce, area farmers markets, and cities with high concentrations of prospective CalFresh recipients for membership in the CalFresh Partners Group. RESPONDENT RESPONSES Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future.
• R3
  The County should issue a press release announcing May as CalFresh month and emphasizing the economic gains for local businesses that result from increased CalFresh participation. In addition to other local newspapers, the press release should be sent to the Contra Costa County edition of the Chamber Link, the weekly newsletter of the Association of Chambers of Commerce, which reaches over 10,000 recipients in Contra Costa County. RESPONSES RESPONDENT Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. Contra Costa County 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report 1601
• R4
  The County should extend CalFresh enrollment outreach to schools, senior centers, and senior housing, either directly or through the CalFresh Partners Group, after identifying funds to do so. RESPONSES RESPONDENT Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future.
• R5
  After identifying the necessary funds, the County should return budgeted FTE staffing for EHSD to last year's levels, and use County temps as necessary to meet and maintain that staffing level after determining the legality of doing SO. RESPONDENT RESPONSES The recommendation requires further analysis. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
• R6
  After identifying the necessary funds, the County should fast- track the current project to streamline the recruitment and hiring processes by Human Resources, after considering the various legal requirements governing the County's recruitment and hiring. RESPONSES RESPONDENT The recommendation has been implemented. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
• R7
  , the County should correct the signage at office locations with CalFresh information and application intake capability to include the hours of operation and notice of CalFresh (or "Food Stamps") presence outside of the building, and directions to CalFresh information or service (preferably bilingual) inside the office if no greeter or knowledgeable receptionist is present. RESPONDENT RESPONSES Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. Contra Costa County 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report 1601
• R8
  The County through its Department of Information and Technology should (a) prioritize the resolution of firewall issues that currently prevent remote access of existing CalFresh applications; (b) support EHSD's expansion of the text messaging system, "PROMPTLY" to CalFresh; (c) investigate feasibility of internet- based communication modes such as Skype for EHSD, (d) add a link to 511 to the CalFresh website, and (e) mention 511 in the menu options in the automated telephone answering system, after identifying funds to do so. RESPONDENT RESPONSES Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future.
• R9
  The County should schedule a series of meetings between those departments that administer need-based programs to explicitly encourage increased cross-program referrals. RESPONDENT RESPONSES The recommendation has not yet been Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors implemented, but will be implemented in the future. Contra Costa County 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report 1601 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT – 1503 TIME FOR A NEW LOOK AT PENSION COSTS The County Could Save Nearly $100 Million a Year through a Sensible and Fair Approach to Pension Reform
• R10
  The School Board should follow all of it policies. RESPONDENT RESPONSES WCCUSD School Board of Education The recommendation has been implemented.
• R11
  The School Board should ensure that the CBOC contains a member from each category required by California Education Code Section 15282. RESPONDENT RESPONSES WCCUSD School Board of Education The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. Contra Costa County 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report 1601