Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 2.59 Monterey County Children and Families Commission

This Chapter is adopted under the authority of Section 5, Division 108 of the Health and Safety Code, commencing with Section 130100, and Section 6, Article 3 of the Revenue and Taxation Code commencing with Section 30131, which sections were added with the passage of Proposition 10 on November 3, 1998, known as the "California Children and Families Act of 1998" ("Act"). This Chapter is intended to implement the provision of the Act as it pertains to the establishment of community based programs with funds made available through the Children and Families Trust Funds.

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4041, 1999; Ord. 4003, 1998)

The "California Children and Families Act", or "Act" means the laws and amendments to the California Constitution adopted on November 3, 1998, as the California Children and Families Initiative, Proposition 10, and any subsequent amendments thereto.

The "Monterey County California Children and Families Commission", or "Commission", means a Monterey County commission established pursuant to the California Children and Families Act, and pursuant to this Chapter.

"Regulation" means any regulation or rule adopted to implement the Act.

"California Children and Families Trust Fund" means an account established with the Monterey County Treasurer for the purpose of receiving and managing Act funds.

"Public hearing" means conducting all aspects of a public meeting in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4041, 1999; Ord. 4003, 1998)

There is hereby established a Monterey County Commission to be formally known as "Monterey County Children and Families Commission," which may also be known as "First 5 Monterey County." This Commission shall be a legal public entity separate from the County pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 130140.1(a)(1).

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4041, 1999; Ord. 4003, 1998)

There is hereby established a local Children and Families Trust Fund, to be set up by the Monterey County Auditor-Controller and Monterey County Treasurer to receive deposits of California Children and Families Trust funds. Funds deposited into said fund shall only be expended for the purposes authorized by the Act and only in accordance with a County Strategic Plan approved by the Monterey County California Children and Families Commission.

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4041, 1999; Ord. 4003, 1998)

The Monterey County California Children and Families Commission shall be composed of seven members to be appointed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors consistent with the Act as follows:

One member shall be the Director of the Monterey County Health Department or designee, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 130140(a)(1)(A)(i).

One member shall be the Director of the Department of Social and Employment Services, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 130140(a)(1)(A)(i).

One member shall be a member of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 130140(a)(1)(A)(ii).

The remaining four at large members shall be nominated by a review committee established by the Commission with final review and appointment by the Board of Supervisors. These at large nominees shall be selected from the following categories of individuals, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1 30140(a)(1)(A)(iii):

A. Persons responsible for management of childrens' services, public health services, behavioral health services, social services, public health services, social services and tobacco and other substance abuse prevention and treatment services.

B. Recipient of project services included in the County Strategic Plan.

C. Educators specializing in early childhood development.

D. Representatives of a local child care resource or referral agency or a local child care coordinating group.

E. Representatives of a local organization for prevention or early intervention for families at risk.

F. Representatives of community-based organizations that have the goal of promoting nurturing and early childhood development.

G. Representatives of local school districts.

H. Representatives of local medical, pediatric, or obstetric associations or societies.

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4041, 1999; Ord. 4003, 1998)

At large members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors for three-year terms, not to exceed a maximum of two consecutive terms, and, upon expiration of their term, may continue to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors until their successor is appointed. If a vacancy occurs prior to the expiration of an at large member's term and a successor member is appointed to serve the remainder of the unexpired term, the successor may serve up to two additional consecutive three-year terms.

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4003, 1998)

(Ord. No. 5323, § 1, 1-7-2020)

The members of the Monterey County Children and Families Commission shall serve without compensation. Said members, however, shall be entitled to be paid a reasonable per diem and be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses for attending meetings and discharging other official responsibilities as authorized by the Monterey County California Children and Families Commission, in accordance with the Monterey County procedures and at rates in effect at the time. Members of the Monterey County Children and Families Commission, however, who are County employees and who are otherwise compensated for the time expended on behalf of the Monterey County California Children and Families Commission, shall not be entitled to additional compensation. County employees who are commission members, shall, however, be entitled to be reimbursed for travel and related expenses incurred in the discharge of official Commission business.

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4041, 1999; Ord. 4003, 1998)

The Monterey County California Children and Families Commission members shall perform those duties as provided for in the California Children and Families Act, and particularly as set forth in Health and Safety Code Section 130140(a)(1)(C) through Section 130140(a)(1)(I), and such other duties which are reasonably necessary to discharge their responsibilities under the Act, including without limitation the following:

A. Adopt an adequate and complete County Strategic Plan for the support and improvement of early childhood development within the County, consistent with Health and Safety Code Section 130140(a)(C), (D), and (E).

B. Hold at least one public hearing on the Commission's proposed strategic plan prior to the adoption of the plan.

C. Review the County Strategic Plan on at least an annual basis, and revise such plan as necessary or appropriate.

D. Hold at least one public hearing on the Commission's periodic reviews of the County Strategic Plan and prior to adoption of any revisions to said plan.

E. Cause the submission of the adopted County Strategic Plan and any revisions to the State Commission.

F. Conduct an annual audit on or before October 15th of each year, conduct at least one public hearing prior to adopting any annual audit and report, and issue a written report to the Board of Supervisors on the implementation and performance of its functions during the preceding fiscal year, including the manner in which funds were expended, the progress toward and the achievement of program goals and objectives, and the measurement of specific outcomes through appropriate reliable indicators. The written report required by this Section shall be transmitted to the State Commission, and the Monterey County Commission shall make copies of its annual audits and reports available to members of the general public on request and at no cost.

G. 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 and shall cause such advisory committees to make recommendations and reports as deemed necessary or appropriate. These advisory committees may utilize the assistance of staff and/or professionals, as appropriate, for technical expertise and support.

H. Adopt a budget.

I. Conduct a public hearing on each annual report prepared by the State Commission.

(Ord. 5034 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 4041, 1999)