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Board allocates $500,000 for immediate immigrant and refugee legal and education services, directs equity-driven rollout
Summary
The Board authorized $500,000 from general fund contingencies to support undocumented immigrants and refugees, approving a rapid, community-driven pass-through approach and directing staff to prioritize equity and coordination among providers.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a short-term funding package of $500,000 from general fund contingencies to support undocumented immigrants and refugees in response to federal policy changes. The board directed county staff to allocate funds using an expedited, equity-driven process that prioritizes community-based organizations and rapid outreach.
County staff had presented two options: a faster pass-through to an established collaborative of local immigrant-serving organizations (the Secure Families Collaborative) or a slower Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process and potential use of a new Community Foundation fund. After public comment from immigrant legal service providers, local nonprofits and the Community Foundation, the board voted to proceed with Option 1, but asked staff to make the distribution process inclusive and to build in ‘restorative’ stakeholder work as part of the rollout.
Speakers during public comment urged speed and coordination. Representatives of Secure Families, local legal-service organizations, the Community Foundation, and immigrant advocacy groups described rapid community clinics held in each supervisorial district and asked the county to move quickly to expand outreach and legal education. Several organizations also supported using an intermediary (Community Foundation) for medium-term private-public fundraising but cautioned that an immediate and trusted local pass-through was necessary to get funds to community providers within weeks rather than months.
Vice Chair Hermosillo moved the staff-recommended approach (Option 1) with an amendment to require restorative outreach among providers, equity-driven selection criteria, and flexibility to use funds for information-sharing and coordination infrastructure (client referrals, public education materials and rapid-response outreach). Supervisor Corsi seconded. The board approved the motion unanimously.
The motion authorizes the County Executive Office to execute agreements and distribute the $500,000; staff said they will issue publicly available summary reports on distributions and activity but will not require disclosure that would endanger clients. The board asked staff to coordinate reporting and to pursue private philanthropic matches and longer-term strategies with the Community Foundation and other partners.
Votes: Motion to proceed with Option 1 (pass-through, rapid allocation) with restorative, equity-driven requirements and flexibility for coordination activities (mover: Vice Chair Hermosillo; second: Supervisor Corsi) — Outcome: approved unanimously.
