A series of recommendations by Vice-Chair Terra Lawson-Remer with leftover federal stimulus money today was approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Today’s 4-0 vote will direct the funds into specific programs proposed by Supervisor Lawson-Remer, including $8 million to build a new 100+ bed recuperative care facility for people experiencing homelessness and $13 million for workforce wellness one-time payments to address the impact of projected increases in healthcare costs, to support County employee well-being and hiring and retention goals. 

“Now we will be able to scale-up the number of recuperative care beds available in San Diego County to help people experiencing homelessness who need a place to recover after a medical emergency,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair, Board of Supervisors. “Once up and running, it will also help reduce overcrowding in our emergency rooms.

“Just as important, with today’s action, we will also be able to provide one-time payments to essential County workers who are facing rising costs. This will also assist with recruitment and retention of key positions,” Supervisor Lawson-Remer said. “I appreciate my colleagues for their support.”

During the discussion and vote on items 12, 13 and 14 – all involving how to spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the Board of Supervisors designated – the Board decided to consider in February Supervisor Lawson-Remer’s other recommendations regarding expansion of behavioral health workforce, creating County employee workforce housing, and advancing economic prosperity, climate justice, and small businesses by growing the the green economy.  The Board directed staff to prioritize the behavioral health workforce investments in the set of options that will return for consideration in February.