Del Norte County supervisors unanimously accepted the closeout report for two 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public-service awards after staff and subrecipients described program results and community impact.

Administrative Programs Manager Tony presented the required closeout details for two 2021 CDBG awards that together totaled $500,000 for public-service activities. The funds supported Casa of Del Norte’s children’s advocacy program and the Del Norte Senior Center’s nutrition program. Tony reported the programs were completed within budget and performance periods set by state grant contracts.

According to the closeout materials and subrecipient presentations, CASA used the grant funding to recruit, train and supervise volunteer advocates; during the grant period CASA served 169 children, and noted that volunteer advocates often stay assigned to long-running cases that can last two years or more. Charlene Mazy, Executive Director of the Del Norte Senior Center, told the board the senior nutrition program delivered meals to 4,716 members age 60 and older and provided a combined total of 93,637 meals across congregate and home-delivery services. Tony said the county received $34,884 in administrative reimbursement for grant management and subrecipient oversight.

Speakers described how the funding supported essential services and reduced pressure on other county systems. "Without this money, it would be very difficult for us to continue to operate the Senior Nutrition Program," Charlene Mazy said, and she provided letters from meal recipients describing the program as life-changing and essential to their ability to remain at home. Christine (Casa representative) explained CASA’s role in training volunteers who are sworn in as officers of the court and assigned to child-welfare cases.

Board members asked about future CDBG opportunities. Tony said Del Norte County had a conditional award for 2024 funding and that the CDBG program issues Notices of Funding Availability on an annual basis; he also explained that multi-year grants often run on 36-month performance periods and that subrecipients may exhaust awarded funds earlier depending on service volume and inflation.

Public comment included concerns about whether the county would continue to receive CDBG funds and suggestions to coordinate volunteer recruitment between CASA and the senior center. The board voted to accept the grants’ results and close out the awards as meeting grant requirements.

The county’s acceptance of the closeout report authorizes staff to finalize grant records and continue applying for future CDBG opportunities to support similar public-service programs.