Committee approves reports and amends motion to study whether volunteer service can count for Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility

The Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee on Oct. 1, 2025, approved two commission reports and approved an amended motion directing the city administrative officer (CAO) to study whether city-sponsored volunteer opportunities could be designated as "approved volunteer community service" for purposes of Medi‑Cal and CalFresh eligibility.

The chair noted and filed the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners' report on the tea time reservation system and market-resale activity and moved to approve the Board of Library Commissioners' recommendation to enter a publishing agreement. The chair then moved to amend the first instruction of item 3 to require the CAO, with assistance from the chief legislative analyst and consultation with the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Los Angeles Public Library and the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, to report on the feasibility and requirements for designating city-sponsored volunteer opportunities as qualifying "approved volunteer community service" for purposes of Medi‑Cal and CalFresh eligibility. The amendment received a second and was approved.

The committee recorded the approvals and noted and filed the associated commissioner reports. The chair asked staff to return with any necessary contract or funding authority to implement recommendations identified in department reports.

Next steps: the CAO will prepare a report in coordination with departmental partners; the committee will be asked to consider any required authority to accept grants or expand contracts as part of that follow-up.