Cary Lemos

The Council meeting agenda includes a presentation from the Nile Sisters Development Initiative followed by standing updates regarding refugee health programs, the State Refugee Coordinator, and the Governor's Office. Business items involve committee updates and recommendations from the Policy and Governance committees, including motions to amend bylaws regarding nomination limits and committee verbiage. Additionally, the Council will discuss standing committee strategy and address member seat terms, including vacancy updates and re-appointments.

The council received a presentation on the Newcomer Community Engagement Compensation Pilot Program, including engagement strategies and upcoming 2026 activities. Standing updates covered the Refugee Health Program, federal and state refugee coordinator reports, and Governor's Office updates regarding federal misconduct portals and budget processes. Discussion topics included an announcement of SAC member transitions, potential bylaws amendments for nominating processes, a proposal for a new legal services seat, and public concerns regarding federal policy changes, including impacts on Afghan newcomers and potential community support strategies. The council also explored proactive state-level interagency collaboration to address evolving refugee needs.

The third quarterly meeting covered several significant updates and discussions. The Governor's Office provided updates concerning a Supreme Court ruling on immigration enforcement profiling, ongoing litigation regarding state privacy systems (CalFresh and Medi-Cal), and the updating of the immigration resource website. The Refugee Health Program reported on 2,706 new arrivals since February 1st, emphasizing the critical four-month window for health screenings due to federal benefit reductions. The State Refugee Coordinator detailed the execution of the Afghan and Ukrainian Newcomer Support Programs, allocating approximately $50 million across 64 agencies, and preliminary planning for a fourth Afghan Support Center in Fresno County. Key discussion points included the consistency of self-funded Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) arrivals and the need for regular data sharing, clarification on the purpose of the GuideHouse engagement survey, and concerns about benefit processing timelines. During SAC Business, binding votes were conducted to elect Peyman Malaz to the Public Seat and Faisal Esmaty to the ECBO Member Seat. The Policy Standing Committee formally recommended the creation of a designated Legal Seat on the SAC. Public questions centered on resource availability for undocumented individuals and strategic planning to maintain resettlement capacity through 2029.

The 2026 Annual Progress and Services Report details California's progress on the 2025-2029 Child and Family Services Plan. It outlines updates on improving child and family outcomes, addresses systemic factors, and describes strategic goals for family engagement, permanency, well-being, and workforce development. The report further covers service delivery, grant management, and collaborative initiatives with Tribes and community partners, reflecting achievements from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The meeting marked the inaugural session of the IHSSA Statewide Authority, established as part of the In-home Supportive Services Program integration effort following the Continuum of Care integration. Key discussions focused on establishing the organizational structure, considering and adopting bylaws, and covering necessary organizational housekeeping. Legal guidance was provided regarding operating requirements under Robert's Rules of Order and the Bagley-Keehn Open Meeting Act, including public comment procedures and voting requirements. A transition report detailed administrative and operational support responsibilities being transferred from the Department of Social Services to the Authority. The timeline for the transition of collective bargaining responsibilities from local agreements to the Statewide Authority, contingent on county enrollment completion in the CCI program, was reviewed, noting San Mateo County's transition effective February 23, 2015.