200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #433
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5160
Fax: (714) 765-4454
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2023
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN
SUPPORT OF THE ANAHEIM MOBILE FAMILY RESOURCE
CENTER PROGRAM
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): NO ITEM # 07
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, accept funding from the State of California and increase the Community Services Department’s FY 2023/24 budget by $1,500,000 in support of the Anaheim Mobile Family Resource Center Program.
DISCUSSION:
The Anaheim Mobile Family Resource Center (AMFRC) pilot program was established in 2021 through an Anaheim Community Impact Grant funded by the Samueli Foundation.
The new mobile program was established as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the City’s desire, through the Community Services Department, to connect available resources to those living in isolated neighborhoods. A series of neighborhood “pop-up” resource fair events were scheduled in 16 neighborhoods and connected youth, families, and senior citizens with information and referral services, emergency financial assistance, and access to shelf-stable food and vaccines.
The AMFRC program shifted in 2022 from a pilot program to being officially adopted into the City’s Neighborhood Services general programming plan. The mobile program has since expanded to serve a total of 28 high-need neighborhoods with three visits scheduled per neighborhood annually, in the spring, summer, and fall. The success of the program lays in leveraging relationships with community and local non-profits to join the City in hosting resource events in neighborhoods and establishing trust and working relationships with residents.
In August 2023, the City received notification from the California State Department of Housing and Community Development that funding in the amount of $1,500,000 was approved for the AMFRC program. State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia supported an earmark which was approved for the AMFRC program. This fund allocation will be made payable through the State’s General Fund and be dispersed directly through the Department of Housing and Community Development to the City.
Accept Funding from the State of California for Anaheim Mobile Family Resource Center Program October 24, 2023
This one-time funding from the State will support an additional planned expansion to serve a total of 34 neighborhoods and will offer much needed operational support to ensure the program’s future success by strengthening infrastructure and providing critical operational support. Funding will be expended over the course of three years and includes the acquisition of program vehicles, enhanced support for new neighborhood improvement projects, the purchase of general program operational supplies, and support for community clean-up events and neighborhood success celebrations.
These community engagement opportunities provide various city departments and local non-profit community organizations with the opportunity to establish communication, create trust, and build relationships which links isolated neighborhoods and its residents to City Hall.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The Community Services Department’s Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget will be increased by $1,500,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services