Humboldt County Municipal Code Ch. 1 Local Children and Families Program

Sections: Purpose and Intent.

§ 571-2. § 571-3. § 571-4. § 571-5. § 571-6. § 571-7. § 571-8.

Establishment of the County Children and Families Commission. Duties of the Commission. The Strategic Plan. Establishment and Maintenance of Trust Fund. Advisory Committees. Interpretation. Severability. 571-1. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this chapter is to implement the provisions of the “California Children and Families Act of 1998” (Division 108, commencing with Section 130100, of the Health and Safety Code), enacted as an initiative measure at the November, 1998, election (Proposition 10). This measure created a statewide program for the purposes of promoting, supporting, and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age. The program is intended to facilitate the creation and implementation of an integrated, comprehensive, and collaborative system of information and services to enhance optimal early childhood development. The program is intended to emphasize local decision making, to provide for greater local flexibility in designing delivery systems, and to eliminate duplicate administrative systems. To this end, the program is to be carried out by a state commission and by local county commissions. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) 571-2. Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of this chapter: (a) “Act” means the California Children and Families Act of 1998. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (b) “County commission” or “commission” means the County Children and Families Commission established by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with Section 130140 of the Health and Safety Code. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/ 1998) (c) “County strategic plan” or “strategic plan” means the plan adopted by the County Children and Families Commission and submitted to the California Children and Families Commission pursuant to Section 130140 of the Health and Safety Code. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (d) “Local trust fund” means the local Children and Families Trust Fund established by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Section 130105(d)(2)(A). (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (e) “State commission” means the California Children and Families Commission established in accordance with Section 130110. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998)

571-3. Establishment of the County Children and Families Commission. (a) There is hereby established, pursuant to the authority of Section 130140 of the Health and Safety Code, a county Children and Families Commission, which may also be known as First 5 Humboldt. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/ 1998; Ord. 2329, § 1, 8/17/2004) (b) The commission shall consist of nine members who are residents of Humboldt County and are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Composition of the commission shall be as follows: (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2299, § 1, 04/15/2003) (1) One member shall be a member of the Board of Supervisors. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (2) Two members shall be employees of the Health and Human Services Department having management responsibilities with a focus on children and families. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2299, § 1, 4/15/2003) (3) The remaining six members shall be chosen from the public, and shall include representatives from any six of the following categories: recipients of project services; educators specializing in early childhood development; representatives of local child care resource or referral agencies; representatives of a local organization for prevention or early intervention for families at risk; representatives of community-based organizations that have the goal of promoting nurturing and early childhood development; representatives of local school districts; and representatives of local medical, pediatric, or obstetric associations or societies. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2299, § 1, 4/15/2003) (c) All members of the commission shall be voting members. All commission members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors. Members representing the Board of Supervisors and the Health and Human Services Department shall serve four-year terms. Three members of the public shall serve four year terms, and three members representing the public shall serve three year terms. Members representing the Board of Supervisors and the Health and Human Services Department may serve consecutive terms without limitation. No public member shall serve for more than eight consecutive years. A waiting period of one year is required before a public member may be reappointed after serving eight consecutive years. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2299, § 1, 4/15/2003) (d) Procedures for the conduct of business by the commission not specified in this chapter shall be contained in bylaws adopted by the commission. A majority of the active members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. Members on leave are inactive members. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2338, § 1, 3/15/2005) (e) Members of the commission shall not be compensated for their services, except they shall be paid reasonable per diem and reimbursement of reasonable expenses for attending meetings and discharging other official responsibilities. Per diem and expenses shall be at the same rates as applicable to county employees, as set forth in this Code. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (f) Subject to the approval of each participating county, two or more counties may form a joint commission to carry out the purposes of the Act, including adopting joint strategic plans or implementing joint programs, services, or projects. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2329, § 1, 8/17/2004)

(g) The commission’s meetings shall be subject to the open meeting laws set forth in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.) (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2200, § 1, 12/14/1999; Ord. 2222, § 1 - code sections relating to these ordinances have been previously repealed, 8/29/2000) 571-4. Duties of the Commission. (a) The commission shall adopt an adequate and complete county strategic plan for the support and improvement of early childhood development within the county, consistent with the requirements of the Act and any state regulations or guidelines hereinafter enacted to implement the Act. The commission shall conduct at least one public hearing on its proposed strategic plan before the plan is adopted. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (b) The commission shall, at least annually, carry out a periodic review the county strategic plan and revise the plan as may be necessary or appropriate. The commission shall conduct at least one public hearing on its periodic review of the plan before any revisions to the plan are adopted. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (c) The commission shall measure the outcomes of County funded programs through the use of applicable, reliable indicators and review that information on a periodic basis as part of the public review of its strategic plan. (Ord. 2365, § 1, 6/27/2006) (d) The commission shall submit its adopted strategic plan, and any subsequent revisions thereto, to the state commission. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2365, § 1, 6/27/2006) (e) The commission shall prepare and adopt an annual audit and report pursuant to Section 130150 of the Health and Safety Code. The commission shall conduct at least one public hearing prior to adopting any annual audit and report. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2365, § 1, 6/27/2006) (f) The commission shall conduct at least one public hearing on each annual report by the state commission prepared pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 130150 of the Health and Safety Code. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2365, § 1, 6/27/2006) (g) The commission shall administer the monies in the Children and Families Trust Fund, consistent with the requirements of the Act and its adopted strategic plan. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2365, § 1, 6/27/2006) (h) The commission shall make copies of its annual audits and reports available to members of the general public on request and at no cost. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2365, § 1, 6/27/2006) (i) The commission shall carry out such other duties as are prescribed by statute, regulation, or by the state commission. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2365, § 1, 6/27/2006)

571-5. The Strategic Plan. (a) The strategic plan shall be consistent with, and in furtherance of the purposes of, the Act and any guidelines adopted by the State commission pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 130125 of the Health and Safety Code that are in effect at the time the plan is adopted. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) (b) The strategic plan shall, at a minimum, include the following: a description of the goals and objectives proposed to be attained; a description of the programs, services, and projects proposed to be provided, sponsored, or facilitated; and a description of how measurable outcomes of such programs, services, and projects will be determined by the commission using appropriate reliable indicators. No strategic plan shall be deemed adequate or complete until and unless the plan describes how programs, services, and projects relating to early childhood development within the county will be integrated into a consumer-oriented and easily accessible system. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) 571-6. Establishment and Maintenance of Trust Fund. (a) There is hereby established a local Children and Families Trust Fund, to be administered by the commission. Funds allocated and appropriated to the commission shall be deposited in the trust fund and shall be expended only for the purposes authorized by the Act and in accordance with the strategic plan approved by the commission. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998; Ord. 2380, § 1, 2/27/2007) (b) The local trust fund shall be maintained and administered by the Commission as provided for by a written Fiscal Policy adopted by the Commission. The Fiscal Policy shall be reviewed at least annually, and shall contain, at a minimum, the following components: (Ord. 2380, § 1, 02/27/2007) (1) Investment guidelines; (Ord. 2380, § 1, 2/27/2007) (2) Establishment of a fiscal subcommittee, and duties of the subcommittee; (Ord. 2380, § 1, 2/27/2007) (3) Cash flow requirements; (Ord. 2380, § 1, 2/27/2007) (4) Reporting and monitoring requirements; (Ord. 2380, § 1, 2/27/2007) (5) Guidelines for management of the “Sustainability Fund.” (Ord. 2380, § 1, 2/27/2007) (c) The Commission shall set aside a portion of its trust monies for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a long-term, stable source of funds. This shall be known as the “Sustainability Fund.” Guidelines for management of this Fund shall be included as part of the Fiscal Policy of the Commission. The principal component of this Fund shall not be expended upon grant programs, except as allowed by the Fiscal Policy. (Ord. 2380, § 1, 2/27/2007)

571-7. Advisory Committees. The commission shall establish one or more advisory committees to provide technical and professional expertise and support for any purposes that will be beneficial in accomplishing the purposes of the Act. Each advisory committee shall meet and shall make recommendations and reports as deemed necessary or appropriate. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) 571-8. Interpretation. The provisions of this chapter are intended to be in addition to and not in conflict with state law. The provisions of this chapter are intended to implement the Act and shall, whenever possible, be construed as consistent with the Act. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/15/1998) 571-9. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable. (Ord. 2185, § 1, 12/ 15/1998) Chapter 1 – § 581-1. § 581-2. § 581-3. § 581-4.