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ORD- 2015 -013 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD of COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 19, 2416 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 7 -a <br />SUBJECT: Family Success Alliance Request for Social Justice Funding and Approval of <br />Budget Amendment #8 -A <br />DEPARTMENT: Health Department PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) I No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />None <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Colleen Bridger, 919-245-2412 <br />Meredith Stewa r, 919-245-2070 <br />PURPOSE: To approve Budget Amendment #8 -A transferring funds from the Social Justice <br />Fund to the Family Success Alliance to 1) pilot kindergarten readiness and literacy programs for <br />at least one school in each of the pilot Family Success Alliance zones; and 2) provide initial <br />funds to a zone partner agency for a Family Success Alliance navigator in each zone. <br />BACKGROUND: The Family Success Alliance (FSA) was created with support and approval <br />from the Board of Commissioners in June 2014 in response to Health Department reports about <br />the growing issue of child poverty in Orange County. In May 2014 Health Department staff <br />highlighted a large and multi-disciplinary body of research showing that a family's income <br />shapes a child's educational, employment, and health outcomes throughout their life. In <br />particular, children who have adverse childhood experiences that are more common among <br />families experiencing poverty are at higher risk of health outcomes like obesity, depression, and <br />substance abuse. <br />FSA staff and zone partners have worked since January 2416 to collect qualitative and <br />quantitative date about the state of the cradle-to-college/career pipeline in each zone. A total of <br />132 community surveys, 21 in -depth interviews, and 6 focus groups were conducted between <br />January 34th and March 13 th across the two zones. FSA staff also analyzed secondary <br />quantitative data, such as birth data and school performance data, and reviewed existing <br />community reports publically available for each zone, such as Self Help's Northside Housing <br />Market Action Plan. Each zone reviewed the resulting data at a community meeting, and took <br />part in activities to choose initial priorities for action. <br />Zone 4 prioritized the need for transportation, activities to prepare children for kindergarten, and <br />increased support for Latino families. Zone 6 prioritized affordable housing, activities that <br />