Title
Report regarding a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the National League of Cities for an Advancing Economic Mobility grant and approving Budget Amendment #25.010 appropriating $20,000 in grant funds. (Michael Guss, Economic Development Specialist)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the National League of Cities to accept grant funding from the Advancing Economic Mobility Grant Program, and appropriate $20,000 in grant funds under Budget Amendment #25.010.
Body
BACKGROUND
Staff applied for a $20,000 grant from the National League of Cities (“NLC”) Advancing Economic Mobility Grant Program - a competitive, nationwide grant. The City of South San Francisco was one of 12 cities in the nation to receive the grant. The other 11 include: Aurora, IL; Burlington, VT; Chester, AR; Durango, CO; El Paso, TX; Frederick, MD; Grand Island, NE; Gustavus, AK; Lansing, MI; Linden, AL; and St. Peterburg, FL.
The goal of the Advancing Economic Mobility Grant Program is to assist cities in testing innovative ideas that boost the economic mobility of residents. The City applied for this funding to support the Promotores Program, which provides system navigation assistance to South San Francisco residents. To date, the Promotores Program has assisted 476 individuals by providing referrals to housing agencies, Medi-Cal, health care providers, and legal aid services, as well as making referrals to the City’s existing partners within the Economic Advancement Center (“EAC”). While 43% of South San Francisco’s population identifies as Asian American, the majority of clients served by the Promotores Program have been Latino. This grant enables enhanced outreach focused on the Asian American community in South San Francisco. The work of the Promotores generates clients for service-focused agencies operating at the EAC and contributes to the economic security of clients. This grant will enhance those services and expand the client population which benefits from services at the EAC.
To accept the funding and begin the project, the NLC has asked each awarded city to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with NLC for the duration of the project.
DISCUSSION
If the MOU is executed, the Promotores Program will conduct three community meetings focused on South San Francisco Asian American community members. An overview of services provided by the Promotores Program will be presented at the outreach meetings. Community meetings will be promoted in Tagalog, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Translation services from English into Tagalog, Mandarin, and Cantonese will also be available at each community meeting. Promotores staff will schedule follow-up consultations with attendees at each community meeting.
During follow-up consultations, attendees will receive assistance navigating the social services system. The Promotores will provide referrals to agencies that assist with food security, housing, employment, legal aid, and other organizations which support economic mobility.
The program will focus on reaching 99 individuals, or 33 at each community meeting. If participation is low, staff will work with community partners to pivot on community engagement to ensure the program is effective. Follow-up meetings will be offered to individuals attending outreach events; staff estimate that 40 individuals will receive follow-up assistance from the Promotores.
There will be regular meetings with NLC staff and other grantees during the course of the project. NLC staff will provide coaching to City staff and feedback on the project. The City will also work with the Organization for Chinese Americans, San Mateo and the Southeast Asian Development Center to ensure that outreach is effective and successful.
Work on this project will begin immediately upon execution of the MOU. The project end date will be January 31, 2025. In February, all 12 cities will be invited to share their projects collectively at an in-person NLC event. In addition to better connecting the Asian American community in South San Francisco to resources at the EAC, the program will give some additional exposure to economic mobility work being done in South San Francisco to a national audience.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund associated with adopting the resolution. No match is required for this grant.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the National League of Cities for the acceptance of grant funding from the Advancing Economic Mobility Grant Program, and appropriate $20,000 in grant funds under Budget Amendment #25.010.
Attachments:
1. Award Letter from National League of Cities