Council approves human-services agreement with City of Chino; HOPE Family Resource Center highlighted

The Chino Hills City Council on July 8 authorized execution of an agreement with the City of Chino to continue collaborative human services programs that serve families in the Chino Valley Unified School District, including the HOPE Family Resource Center.

Mayor Bennett invited City of Chino and school-district representatives to describe the program before the vote. Carrie Franco, human services supervisor for the City of Chino, said the city’s human services umbrella includes the HOPE Family Resource Center, McKinney-Vento services, counseling for teens and youth, and a tobacco-use-prevention education program. “With your support, we've been able to continue to foster a good relationship with the school district,” Franco said.

Liz Lara, who identified herself as the family services program specialist for the school district, described HOPE as a collaborative, decade-old initiative that began with community members and district leaders to address student and family needs ranging from clothing and school supplies to housing instability. “It’s become stronger and stronger thanks to the community support of the Chino Valley,” Lara said. Officials said HOPE has served thousands over the past ten years and currently identifies more than 2,000 students and families experiencing housing instability in the school district.

Council members asked for clarification about the contracting and funding flow. Staff explained the formal contract is between the city of Chino and the contracting entity; the school district collaborates on HOPE and McKinney-Vento services and also contributes funding for counseling services. Carrie Franco and other presenters confirmed state grants and collaborative funding have helped sustain the program; presenters said the program has received state recognition as a model collaborative initiative.

HOPE provides direct distributions through a community care closet and a distribution center located at Los Serranos Elementary campus in Chino Hills. Presenters described partnerships with faith-based organizations, community groups and volunteers that regularly donate goods and support the program. Council members thanked staff and community partners for the program’s work and the motion to authorize the agreement passed 4-0.

Staff and presenters said residents can register or learn more through City of Chino resources; funding flows to the City of Chino under the executed agreement, with services delivered in collaboration with the school district and local partners.