Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Community Pathway Grant Funding from the County of Orange for the Westminster Family Resource Center and Approval of Associated Staffing and Budget Adjustments.
End
From: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Accept $200,000 in additional grant funding from the County of Orange to implement the Community Pathway Program at the Westminster Family Resource Center;
B. Approve Amendment Two to Contract No. MA-063-25010752 between the County of Orange, City of Westminster, Interval House, and Olive Crest, and authorize the City Manager, or designee to execute the amendment and related documents, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney;
C. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the necessary grant agreements and related documents, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney;
D. Approve the proposed job descriptions for Community Services & Recreation Manager, Family Support Advocate, and Community Engagement Coordinator positions;
E. Eliminate the position of Assistant Director of Community Services;
F. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, REVISING RESOLUTION NO. 5347, AMENDING THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH AND INCLUDING JUNE 30, 2029”;
G. Revise the Citywide comprehensive salary schedule consistent with the above-mentioned salary schedule approvals; and
H. Approve a budget amendment to appropriate $200,000 in additional County grant funding to the Family Resource Center and authorize a budget adjustment to the General Fund Community Services Administration program for $76,099 for the remaining six months of Fiscal Year 2026-27 to support the General Fund portion of the new Community Services & Recreation Manager position, two (2) Family Support Advocate positions, and one (1) Community Engagement Coordinator position.
end
BACKGROUND
The City operates the Westminster Family Resource Center in partnership with the County of Orange as part of the Families and Communities Together (FaCT) network. WFRC has been continuously funded in this capacity since 2021. The current three-year agreement covers July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 with the option to renew for two additional years at the conclusion of the funding cycle. WFRC provides services to help families overcome challenges, access community resources, and improve their overall well-being.
The County has proposed a budget expansion to the City’s agreement of an additional $200,000 during the current funding cycle to implement the Community Pathway Program and expand WFRC’s preventive services and longer-term case management capabilities (Attachment 1). WFRC currently provides short-term case management services to families in need. While these services help address immediate concerns, some families face ongoing challenges that require additional assistance. Families may return to the center months after their cases have been closed or need to be referred to outside agencies for longer-term support. The additional funding would support the staffing and service capacity necessary to implement the Community Pathway Program and expand services for Westminster families.
Community Pathway Program
The Community Pathway Program focuses on helping families address challenges before they escalate into more serious circumstances. Through individualized, strengths-based services, the program aims to strengthen family stability, promote child safety and well-being, and reduce the likelihood of children entering the foster care system.
The program would expand WFRC's existing case management services by allowing staff to work with families over a longer period. Rather than providing short-term assistance and closing a case, staff would maintain regular contact with families, monitor their progress, and provide continued support as they work toward greater stability and self-sufficiency.
As part of the program, staff would receive enhanced training in motivational interviewing, an evidence-based approach that helps families identify challenges, recognize their strengths, and establish achievable goals. This approach, combined with ongoing communication and coordinated services, would help families develop the skills and resources needed to achieve lasting stability.
The expanded program is expected to serve approximately 30 to 45 active families at a time while strengthening coordination with schools, healthcare providers, County departments, and other community organizations.
As the County continues to expand its focus on prevention-based family services, Community Pathway services may be incorporated into the scope of future Family Resource Center funding opportunities, including the County's next request for proposals (RFP). By implementing the program now, WFRC could develop staff expertise, establish service delivery practices, and demonstrate experience with the County's evolving service model. This experience could strengthen the City's competitiveness in future funding opportunities and help position WFRC for continued success.
Proposed Family Resource Center Staffing Changes
To implement the Community Pathway Program and expand services, staff proposes transitioning two existing part-time Family Support Advocate positions and one part-time Community Engagement Coordinator to full-time positions. Funding currently allocated to these three part-time positions would be redirected to support the proposed full-time positions, supplemented by the additional County funding. The current employees would transition into the corresponding full-time positions, providing continuity of services and allowing WFRC to build upon their existing experience and relationships with the families served. This change would increase staffing capacity for ongoing case management, individualized family support, and community outreach.
The proposed staffing changes are summarized below:
|
Position |
Current Staffing |
Proposed Staffing |
|
Family Support Advocate |
2 part-time positions |
2 full-time positions |
|
Community Engagement Coordinator |
1 part-time position |
1 full-time position |
The proposed full-time positions would be supported by existing and additional County grant funding. Continued funding for these positions beyond the current grant agreement would be evaluated as part of future County funding opportunities and the City's annual budget process.
Community Services & Recreation Manager Position
The Community Pathway Program scope of work requires participating Family Resource Centers to dedicate 25% of a full-time supervisory position to oversee the program's implementation, administration, and compliance with County requirements. The existing WFRC Supervisor is fully allocated to programs and services funded under the City’s current FaCT grant agreement and, under the County’s funding requirements, cannot also fulfill the supervisory requirement for the Community Pathway Program. As a result, an additional 0.25 full-time equivalent (FTE) of supervisory capacity is required to implement the new program.
To meet this requirement, staff proposes establishing a Community Services & Recreation Manager position by reclassifying the existing Assistant Director of Community Services position. The proposed Manager would spend 25% of their time overseeing the Community Pathway Program, with the remaining 75% dedicated to departmental management and operations.
In recent years, the Community Services and Recreation Department has experienced significant growth, including expanded grant-funded programs, additional staffing, capital improvement projects, facility operations, contracts and agreements, public art initiatives, and large-scale community events.
Currently, three operational supervisors report directly to the Community Services Director. As the Department's responsibilities have expanded, there is an increased need for dedicated management-level oversight of day-to-day operations and functions that extend across individual program areas. The Community Services & Recreation Manager would provide this additional level of management, coordinate activities across divisions, provide supervision and guidance to staff, and ensure continuity of departmental operations.
In addition to supporting the Community Pathway Program, the Manager would assume responsibility for several department-wide functions that currently require oversight by the Director or other supervisory staff. These responsibilities would include facility operations; contract and grant administration; long-term facility use and operating agreements; public art initiatives, including the Signal Box Art Program; department-wide marketing and communications coordination; large-scale community events; and other cross-divisional programs and operational responsibilities.
As the Department's responsibilities continue to evolve, the management of City facilities and associated agreements requires ongoing coordination and administrative oversight. These responsibilities may include monitoring contractual obligations, coordinating with other City departments, and maintaining relationships with outside operators and community partners. The Community Services & Recreation Manager would provide additional management-level support in these areas, helping to facilitate coordination, consistency, and continuity in departmental operations.
The proposed Community Services & Recreation Manager position would address the supervisory requirements of the Community Pathway Program while strengthening the Department's overall management structure, operational accountability, and continuity of leadership. Allocating 25% of the position to Community Pathway allows the City to leverage the new County funding while the remaining 75% supports department-wide operations and services. The Community Services & Recreation Manager would retain the existing Assistant Community Services Director salary range, with an updated title and job description reflecting the revised responsibilities.
The proposed funding allocation for the Community Services & Recreation Manager position is summarized below:
|
Funding Source |
Position Allocation |
|
County |
25% |
|
City General Fund |
75% |
|
Total |
100% |
The proposed staffing changes are anticipated to take effect January 1, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County of Orange has proposed a budget expansion to the City’s agreement of $200,000 in additional grant funding to implement the Community Pathway Program at the Westminster Family Resource Center. The additional revenue would support the transition of three existing part-time positions to full-time and fund 25% of the proposed Community Services & Recreation Manager position.
The proposed staffing changes are anticipated to take effect January 1, 2027. Accordingly, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget amendment reflects the salary and benefit costs associated with the remaining six months of the fiscal year, from January 1 through June 30, 2027.
The proposed budget amendment includes the following adjustments:
|
Budget Adjustment - FRC program 71800 |
FY 2026-27 amount (6 months) |
FY 2027-28 amount |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
County of Orange Community Pathway Grant |
$100,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Salary and benefit expenditures |
|
|
|
Family Support Advocate (FSA) (2) |
$ 85,427 |
$170,854 |
|
Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC) |
$ 42,157 |
$ 84,315 |
|
Community Services & Recreation Manager ( 25%) |
$ 25,367 |
$ 50,733 |
|
Existing budget adjustments |
|
|
|
Reduction or Transfer of Existing Part-Time Salary and Benefit Appropriations |
$52,951 |
$105,902 |
|
Budget Adjustment - General Fund program 70000 |
FY 2026-27 amount (6 months) |
FY 2027-28 amount |
|
Salary and benefit expenditures |
|
|
|
Community Services & Recreation Manager (75%) |
$76,099 |
$152,198 |
The requested General Fund appropriations would support the portion of the Community Services & Recreation Manager position dedicated to departmental operations.
City staff will coordinate with the Finance Department to finalize the necessary budget adjustments and incorporate ongoing staffing costs into future budgets, subject to continued grant funding and City Council approval.
Acceptance of the grant will increase revenue in the Family Resource Center (71800-34490) Intergovernmental County Other by $100,000, increase salaries and benefits in the Family Resource Center program 71800, and objects 40000-40062 by $100,000, increase salaries and benefits in Community Services Administration program 70000 and objects 40000-40062 by $76,099 for fiscal year 2026-27.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The additional County grant funding would allow the Westminster Family Resource Center to expand its preventive services and provide longer-term, individualized case management to families in need. The proposed staffing changes would increase the Center's capacity to serve families while providing the supervisory oversight required by the County.
Establishing the Community Services & Recreation Manager position would also strengthen departmental management and operational oversight as the City's programs and responsibilities continue to grow.
While continued Community Pathway funding beyond the current grant cycle is not guaranteed, successful implementation would provide the City with an opportunity to demonstrate positive service outcomes and strengthen its position for future County funding opportunities.
Approval of the recommended actions would allow the City to accept the additional grant funding, implement the Community Pathway Program, and make the necessary staffing and budget adjustments.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Amendment Two to Contract No. MA-063-25010752
2. Proposed Resolution to Amend Salary Schedule for Management, Administrative and Confidential Employees
3. Job Description - Community Services & Recreation Manager
4. Job Description - Family Support Advocate
5. Job Description - Community Engagement Coordinator
6. Management, Administrative and Confidential Salary Schedule, effective July 11, 2026, redlined
7. Management, Administrative and Confidential Salary Schedule, effective January 9, 2027, redlined
8. Management, Administrative and Confidential Salary Schedule, effective July 10, 2027, redlined
9. Management, Administrative and Confidential Salary Schedule, effective July 8, 2028, redlined
10. Citywide Comprehensive Salary Schedule - July 11, 2026
11. Citywide Comprehensive Salary Schedule - January 9, 2027
12. Citywide Comprehensive Salary Schedule - July 10, 2027
13. Citywide Comprehensive Salary Schedule - July 8, 2028
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager