1 HUMAN SERVICES
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, July 24, 2025
2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, California
Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín
Councilmember Stuart Kasdin
Robert Nisbet, City Manager
Jaime A. Valdez, Assistant City Manager
JoAnne Plummer, Director of Neighborhood Services
Cassidy Le Air, Senior Management Analyst
Leonel Mendoza-Diaz, Recreation Supervisor
Public Participation
If you wish to make a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, the following methods are available:
Distribution to the Human Services Standing Committee - Submit your comment via email prior to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the Human Services Standing Committee meeting.
Please submit your comment to Cassidy Le Air at: [email protected]. Your comment will be placed into the record and distributed appropriately.
Please register for Human Services Standing Committee Meeting on July 24, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. PDT at:
ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION: Join Meeting Electronically at:
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S7S0bi0XTfexvJBQqbitqQ Zoom Webinar ID: 813 4154 0068
Zoom Passcode: 116124
Or dial: For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.
Mobile Options: US: +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 Mobile Webinar ID: 868 2584 0609
Mobile Passcode: 189159
2 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
You will be connected to audio using your computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP). A headset is recommended.
AGENDA
I. Public Comment
II. Consideration of Grant Funding for Nonprofits Assisting Community Members Affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
III. Discussion of Development of a Potential Roundtable to Convene Nonprofits to Improve Communication Channels
Americans with Disabilities Act: In compliance with the ADA, if special assistance is needed to participate in a City Council meeting (including assisted listening devices), please contact the City Clerk's office at (805) 961-7505. Notification at least 72 hours prior to the meeting helps to ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting. 3 MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 24, 2025
TO: Human Services Standing Committee
FROM: JoAnne Plummer, Neighborhood Services Director
Cassidy Le Air, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: Item I, II, & III Public Comment, Consideration of Grant Funding for Nonprofits Assisting Community Members Affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Discussion of Development of a Potential Roundtable to Convene Nonprofits to Improve Communication Channels
Item I. Public Comment
Receive public comment for items not listed on the Agenda.
Item II. Consideration of Grant Funding for Nonprofits Assisting Community Members Affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Recommendation:
Discuss and provide direction to staff for grant funding for nonprofits assisting community members affected by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities.
Background
Recent immigration activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have caused significant disruption in cities and communities within Santa Barbara County.
Most recently, on July 10, 2025, ICE agents conducted an immigration raid at farms in Carpinteria and Camarillo, arresting more than 300 individuals and detaining approximately 14 children. Protestors were also on scene and caught in the chaos of the situation.
ICE’s detainment of individuals that are congregating in public places, commercial establishments, schools, and places of work has created widespread instability, chaos, and fear. These events have caused negative economic and social impacts on the community. Fewer people are frequenting commercial and retail establishments, such as local restaurants, grocery stores, medical facilities, places of public accommodation, and entertainment venues, for fear of being targeted by ICE. 4 In response, the City Council held a special meeting on July 21, 2025, and directed the City Manager to convene the Human Services Standing Committee (Committee) to allocate $100,000 in grant funding to local nonprofit organizations providing frontline assistance to individuals and families impacted by ICE activities. The Council identified priority services including legal defense, mental health support, and direct services or financial assistance. Additionally, the Council authorized the Committee to make final funding decisions and select recipients without the need for further City Council approval.
Discussion
Staff have identified and contacted three local nonprofit organizations that provide services based on the identified criteria, ultimately providing public benefit to those affected by ICE activities. Representatives from each organization will be in attendance at the Committee meeting and will be available to discuss the services they offer to meet the community's needs. The organizations are listed below, along with recommended funding amounts, based on communications shared at the City Council meeting, totaling $100,000 available.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
• Emergency legal aid and defense
• Counseling and mental health support
• Direct services and financial assistance to separated families and children in crisis.
The nonprofit organization must provide services to community members impacted by ICE activities and serve a broad public purpose, with only incidental private benefit.
Organization Category Amount
805UndocuFund Direct services and financial assistance to separated families and children in crisis. $40,000
Immigrant Legal
Defense Center Emergency legal aid and defense. $40,000 LEAP (Learn Engage
Advocate Partner)
Counseling and mental health support.
Direct services and financial assistance to
separated families and children in crisis.
$20,000
Total $100,000
Following the Committee’s direction and funding recommendations, staff will work with the selected nonprofits to finalize their grant agreements, scope of services, and final budgets. Staff will ensure reasonable conditions so that the grant funds be utilized consistent with Council’s intent, City’s public interest, and in a written agreement.
Alternatives
The Committee may choose to modify the recommended funding amounts or direct staff to seek additional nonprofit organizations that provide services based upon the identified criteria.
5 Item III. Development of a Potential Roundtable to Convene Nonprofits to Improve Communication Channels
Recommendation:
Discuss the development of a potential roundtable to convene nonprofits to improve communication channels and provide staff direction on the desired stakeholders, purpose and objectives, and the format and frequency of the meetings.
Background
In addition to the July 21, 2025 special City Council meeting recommendation for the allocation of $100,000 in grant funding to local nonprofit organizations providing frontline assistance to individuals and families impacted by ICE activities, staff was also directed to look into periodically convening a roundtable of stakeholders including government agencies and nonprofit entities to exchange information and continuously stay informed about each organization’s actions in assistance of those affected by ICE activities.
Discussion
Staff seek input and direction from the Committee on the development of a nonprofit roundtable aimed at strengthening communication, coordination, and responsiveness between the City and local service providers regarding recent ICE activity in the community. This roundtable would offer a dedicated space for nonprofits to share how they are being impacted by current community conditions, discuss emerging needs, and provide timely information to the City to support appropriate follow-up or response.
The initial core group of stakeholders identified during discussion includes LEAP, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, Boys & Girls Clubs, CommUnify, Goleta Union School District, and Santa Barbara Unified School District. These organizations serve a diverse range of community members, providing essential services such as food access, healthcare, youth development, and education.
Staff requests the Committee’s input on whether this list represents the most appropriate and relevant participants for the roundtable, and whether any additional organizations should be invited to attend the initial convening. Staff maintain a list of nonprofits in the area as part of the Goleta City Grant program and can send out targeted invitations or surveys for participation.
The proposed purpose of the roundtable on this topic is to hear directly from frontline service providers about emerging community needs, identify service gaps, and share information with both the City and participating organizations.
Staff recommend that the Committee host the initial meeting to help define the roundtable’s structure and focus. After the initial convening, the group could meet quarterly or more frequently as needed in response to this emerging issue. Meetings may be held in person or virtually, depending on accessibility and availability. With Committee direction, staff will finalize the participant list, prepare a draft agenda, and coordinate logistics for the first meeting.
6 Alternatives
The Committee could choose to host a single convening to gather input from service providers, without committing to ongoing meetings. Following this initial session, staff would evaluate the input received and return to the Committee with recommendations on whether to continue the roundtable, along with proposed goals, objectives, and suggestions for meeting format and frequency.