Supervisors' budget workshop spotlights uncertainty for family housing, senior nutrition and safety-net programs

Santa Clara County supervisors and staff warned May 13 that changes in state and federal funding could reduce services for families, older adults and people with disabilities, while frontline county social workers and advocates urged the board to preserve programs that prevent homelessness and support health.

At the Board of Supervisors' budget workshop, speakers and department leaders focused on uncertainty surrounding the Bringing Families Home program, reductions proposed to the HomeSafe program for older adults, changes to CalWORKs housing supports and persistent low meal-reimbursement rates from the Area Agency on Aging (SourceWise) that increase county general‑fund costs.

Why it matters: Supervisors and social‑service staff said those programs provide short‑term housing and services that stabilize people who otherwise face housing loss or worse health outcomes. Several speakers, including Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) staff, said cuts or administrative changes would make it harder to recruit and retain workers and could disproportionately affect families of color.

Kevin Lee, of Special Olympics Northern California, told the board the county’s investments support preventive health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and asked for continued support. DFCS staff raised internal concerns: “1 of the key areas that needs to be looked at higher is the hiring process for the academy on how individuals are trained,” said Mary Anne Wahab, who identified herself as a Social Worker 3 at DFCS and an SEIU 521 union chief steward. Carly Ecock, a DFCS social worker and SEIU assistant chief steward, said changes to job specifications would “make it more challenging and raise the minimum requirements to hire qualified workers.”

Bringing Families Home: Supervisor Ellenberg pressed agency leaders on whether the county would stop accepting new families if state funding for the Bringing Families Home program ends. Wendy Kinnearush, introduced in the hearing as an interim DFCS director, said advocacy is underway at the state level and that the county has costed a contingency: “Meaning that we wouldn't be taking any new families.” She added, “We will absolutely accept those funds. We need them, and we'll continue to serve those families” if the state continues funding, and the county will use one‑time allocations to honor commitments to currently enrolled families if the state funds do not continue.

CalWORKs and family housing supports: The board heard that some CalWORKs housing supports had been expanded in prior years with temporary state dollars and that the recommended budget returns those lines to base levels. KJ (acting director, Office of Supportive Housing) said the county will continue to serve families currently enrolled but that without supplemental funds the program will serve fewer additional families in the coming year.

Senior nutrition and SourceWise: Supervisor Ellenberg and Vice President Arenas pressed administration to challenge the local Area Agency on Aging, SourceWise, over low reimbursement rates for congregate and home‑delivered meals. Ellenberg read a memo prepared by program staff showing SourceWise reimburses Santa Clara County roughly $3.14 per congregate meal versus $8.90 in Sonoma and about $9.22 in Los Angeles. Ellenberg asked county administration to send a letter, copied to the California Department of Aging, requesting SourceWise’s budget submissions and an explanation for the disparity. County staff said they would proceed with that letter and be more assertive in conversations with SourceWise.

Federal food assistance update: James (county executive’s office staff) warned the board of a pending federal legislative proposal that would substantially cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He summarized a House Agriculture Committee markup that—if enacted—would shift costs to states and reduce benefits, a change he called “truly devastating” and the second largest expected federal hit to county services after Medicaid. He said the county would increase state and federal advocacy and provide updates as the federal process unfolds.

Staffing and program continuity: Several supervisors asked for off‑agenda reports and additional briefings on how proposed changes or reductions would affect caseloads, the number of families served and eligibility constraints tied to state reimbursement formulas. Supervisors requested more precise funding tables: totals, people served, and restoration options for programs they described as prevention and public‑safety investments.

What’s next: Supervisors directed staff to follow up with SourceWise (a requested letter to the agency), to provide off‑agenda briefings on foster‑care and CalWORKs housing impacts, and to report back before the final budget decisions. Public commenters and labor representatives asked the board to maintain both funding and staff engagement in program design to avoid unintended service disruptions for families and vulnerable clients.

Ending note: County leaders said they will continue to monitor state and federal developments and to prioritize housing and services that prevent homelessness and support seniors and children while pursuing advocacy and contingency strategies to limit service interruptions.