Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 206-2016, which memorializes the County’s commitment to participating, in collaboration with other counties, in the “Rural Impact County Challenge” offered by the National Association of Counties.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board endorse participation in the National Association of Counties (NACo) “Rural Impact County Challenge” (RICC) by adopting and authorizing the proposed Resolution.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Rural communities provide critical resources, including the vast majority of food, energy, and environmental benefits for the rest of the country. Providing nearly 90 percent of renewable water resources, rural communities are home to millions of Americans, are a critical part of the nation’s economy, and include some of the most beautiful landmarks in the country.
Despite these benefits, too many Americans in rural areas are not sharing in our nation’s economic growth. A full 85 percent of our country’s persistent poverty counties are in rural America. Lack of opportunity is often compounded in rural communities by inadequate transportation, lack of access to services, and higher rates of drug and substance abuse.
NACo, in collaboration with the White House Rural Council, have come together on a national initiative to help advance counties’ efforts to reduce the number of rural children and families living in poverty. In El Dorado County, 12.3% of the children were living below the federal poverty level in 2010-2014 (source: www.WellDorado.org <http://www.WellDorado.org>). Nearly 100 counties have signed up to participate in the national initiative.
The RICC is a Call to Action demonstrating strong county leadership, commitment, and vision to achieve concrete results on behalf of rural children and families. This Call to Action asks counties to develop a plan of action that can be used to achieve local and state-level impacts.
Key components for County action include:
• To establish a diverse team of leaders and decision makers from multiple agencies committed to reducing the number of children and families in rural areas living in poverty;
• To develop a plan with measurable outcomes that improves access, participation, and evidence-based practices in early childhood education, nutrition, workforce development, and health and human services;
• To implement research-based approaches that advance the plan; and
• To track progress using data and information systems, and report on outcomes.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to adopt the Resolution, and could choose not to participate in the NACo RICC.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Department's recommendation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the Resolution and return one (1) certified copy of the signed Resolution to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Healthy Communities Strategic Plan
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director