Board proclaims May CalFresh Awareness Month as county reports rising enrollment and program pressures

The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution Friday proclaiming May as CalFresh Awareness Month and heard a detailed update on participation, outreach and program threats from county staff.

Carrie Bierman, director of Social Services, and Susie Aceves, a department analyst, told the board that CalFresh participation in Marin has risen sharply since 2019 — from under 10,000 residents pre-pandemic to more than 16,000 as of January 2024 — an increase the department said represents an 86.9% jump in participation. Bierman noted that each dollar of CalFresh generates roughly $1.79 in local economic activity and said program spending for January translated to about $3.2 million in benefits generating about $5.7 million in local economic activity.

Staff described a concentrated outreach push to older adults, children and families and immigrants, noting a 93% increase in enrollment among people over 60 since 2019 and a 29% increase for children. The department also described expanded community outreach — more than 50 events in 2024 — partnerships with community-based organizations and a reconstituted CalFresh task force that holds regular meetings with county departments and partners.

Supervisors and speakers asked about data lags; Bierman said the county relies on the state CalSAWS system for official numbers and that 2023 was the most recent fully reconciled data set available. Supervisor Moulton Peters asked whether the county could produce more up-to-date internal counts; staff said local epidemiology partners are helping to produce more rapid estimates and that the state is working on improved reporting.

Officials warned of threats to the program at higher levels of government. Bierman and Aceves identified policy proposals being discussed at the federal and state levels — including lowering income eligibility thresholds toward 130% of the federal poverty level, limiting maximum household allotments for large households, expansion of work requirements and cuts to related benefits such as LIHEAP — that would shrink benefits or reduce eligibility. Staff emphasized the confusion such proposals have created among eligible residents and immigrant communities and said the county is emphasizing “no wrong door” outreach and options such as child-only cases that allow U.S.-citizen children in mixed‑status households to receive benefits.

Supervisors moved and approved the CalFresh Awareness Month resolution after thanking staff for on-the-ground outreach. The motion was made by Supervisor Rodoni and seconded by Supervisor Moulton Peters. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Ending — County staff said they will continue outreach, prioritize older adults and address misinformation about benefits and immigration consequences; no program rule changes were adopted by the board at this meeting.