Sacramento Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Commission Meeting - November 6, 2025

The Sacramento Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Commission met on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 10:06 AM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order by Chair Monica Ruelas Mares and adjourned at 11:57 AM. Commissioners present: Ghafari, Kravitz-Wirtz, Richardson, Thomas, and Chair Ruelas Mares. Commissioners absent: Volcy and Williams. Key topics included an implementation update on the Children's Fund, a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and a draft Community Engagement Plan. Public testimony was heard on multiple items, and the commission discussed future strategic planning.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (2025-00168): Approved the Sacramento Children’s Fund Planning and Oversight Commission Regular Meeting Minutes dated August 7, 2025.
• Item 2 (2025-00452): Approved the Sacramento Children’s Fund Planning and Oversight Commission Follow-Up Log, with discussion on pending items such as a funding map, a presentation from the Office of Violence Prevention, and reporting standards.
• Item 3 (2025-01854): Received and filed the Sacramento Children’s Fund Annual Report FY2024/2025.
• Action: Motion by Commissioner Kravitz-Wirtz, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Passed 5-0 (two absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 4 (GBI NOFO):
  • Adro (United Way, California Capital Region) commended the commission for advocating for the GBI set-aside and emphasized the importance of a holistic approach including wraparound services.
  • Mercedes (California Youth Connection, Sacramento chapter) expressed excitement about the GBI program and stressed the need to protect participants' access to public benefits, such as CalWorks and CalFresh, before enrollment.
• On Matters Not on the Agenda:
  • April Havist (Sacramento Literacy Foundation) thanked the commission for funding and noted that 22% of foster youth can read, highlighting literacy as a critical issue.
  • Anna (SACKIDS First and Youth Forward) called for balanced and fair allocation of funds, raising concerns that the highest-score model may leave communities like native youth and violence prevention underserved. She recommended allocating by goal area and reviewing duplication.
  • Tona (El Paso Heights resident, tribal community advocate) urged the commission to uplift tribal youth and underrepresented communities, noting that groups like Native Sister Circle and Indigenous Healing Collaborative lack adequate funding.
  • Clarissa (Cal Center for Civic Participation, Youth Forward) noted that 50% of funding went to mental health, leaving the other four goals to share 50%. She requested that future grants be allocated by goal area and that grassroots organizations receive more support.

Discussion Items

• Item 4: Sacramento Children’s Fund Implementation Update and Guaranteed Basic Income NOFO (File ID: 2025-01851)

  • Staff presented updates: 14 of 15 CBO grant agreements executed, 14 advanced payments made, and a NOFO for GBI to be released in early December 2025. The NOFO targets 18-24 year-old foster youth with cash payments of at least $750/month for 2 years. $8 million is available over 5 years, with an initial 3-year grant of up to $4.8 million.
  • Commissioners discussed eligibility (including AB12 extended foster care), the requirement for an external evaluator (staff overrode a memo recommending no evaluation to comply with the measure), the importance of wraparound services being optional but including financial counseling, and the need to protect participants' public benefits. Commissioner Gafari raised concerns about learning from past grant review processes regarding conflicts of interest.
  • Commissioner Kravitz-Wirtz asked about alignment between the presentation and a memo recommending no evaluation; staff clarified they included an evaluator to meet reporting requirements. Vice Chair Richardson requested the PowerPoint slides.
  • Outcome: Reviewed and commented; staff will proceed with NOFO release and begin recruiting a review panel.

• Item 5: Sacramento Children’s Fund Planning and Oversight Commission - DRAFT Community Engagement Plan (File ID: 2025-01855)

  • Staff presented a draft plan for community engagement, including potential town halls, listening sessions, site visits, and resource fairs.
  • Commissioners discussed: site visits with grantees (starting in 3rd or 4th quarter 2025 to allow programs to launch), the purpose of town halls (to be determined with clear goals), a resource fair to uplift grantees and support grassroots organizations (with careful consideration to avoid misleading non-funded organizations). Vice Chair Richardson suggested spotlighting un-funded CBOs; Commissioner Thomas cautioned about potential misinterpretation. Commissioner Kravitz-Wirtz noted that site visits can feel weighty for grantees and suggested a lighter approach.
  • Outcome: Reviewed and commented. An ad hoc committee (Vice Chair Richardson and Commissioner Ghafari as co-chairs) will develop specific engagement activities and bring recommendations to the full commission.

Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions

• Chair Mares proposed a joint meeting with the Sacramento Youth Commission in an off month, possibly to discuss updates to the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). Staff noted they regularly present to the Youth Commission and confirmed a meeting in December.
• Commissioner Thomas thanked the public for their feedback and acknowledged the need to address underrepresentation of native youth and grassroots organizations. He raised questions about Prop 209 and using data to support targeted funding. The City Attorney advised that if data shows historic underrepresentation, decisions can be legally supported.
• Commissioners discussed revising the SIP in 2026, including revisiting the 50/50 split (city recommendation was 60/40 CBOs vs. public entities), considering goal-area allocations, and updating definitions of grassroots organizations. Chair Mares emphasized learning from past lessons and implementing changes.
• Commissioner Thomas noted two open seats on the commission (Mayoral seat and District 2 appointment) and encouraged applications.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Calendar (5-0).
• Reviewed and commented on the GBI NOFO; staff will finalize and release the NOFO as planned by early December 2025 with a July 1, 2026 contract start date.
• Reviewed and commented on the draft Community Engagement Plan; ad hoc committee to develop specific engagement activities (site visits, resource fair, etc.) and report back.
• The commission will consider a joint meeting with the Youth Commission and begin SIP revision discussions in 2026.
• Staff will follow up on pending items (funding map, Office of Violence Prevention presentation, reporting standards) with target timelines mentioned (e.g., mapping update by 3rd quarter 2026).