The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a $250,000 outreach, education and application‑assistance program aimed at helping residents enroll in Medi‑Cal and related benefits ahead of a state deadline.

Social Services Director Roderick Franks and Health Department Director Elsa Jimenez presented a joint plan the board asked staff to develop two weeks earlier. Jimenez said the outreach targets residents who remain uninsured or whose eligibility may change under state and federal policy updates. "Staff's recommendation is for a proposal of an investment of $250,000 that would focus on specific outreach engagement, education, marketing and public application assistance," Jimenez said.

The proposed spending plan divides the $250,000 roughly into three parts: training and support for community‑based organizations (estimated $5,000–$10,000), direct community outreach and application assistance delivered by selected CBOs (the bulk, about $190,000–$195,000), and a focused media/social marketing campaign (about $50,000–$60,000). The outreach partners named in staff materials included Central California Alliance for Health, Catholic Charities, First 5, the UFW Foundation, Watsonville Law Center and other community groups; United Way 2‑1‑1 will help route callers to local assistance.

Franks and Jimenez emphasized the program would use trusted messengers: community health workers and CBO staff who can do door‑to‑door outreach, attend faith‑based and community events and help applicants use the BenefitsCal portal. The staff packet also said the county and partners have convened regularly and that some organizations are already producing content in indigenous languages.

Community advocates urged prompt approval. Clarissa Reyes Becerra of the California Immigration Project told the board immigrant families rely on public programs for stability and opposed messaging that would cause people to forgo care due to fear. "Empowering families to make informed decisions — not ones from fear — is one of the best ways to keep our communities healthy and safe during this time," Reyes Becerra said. Adriana Melgosa of Watsonville Law Center, which fields legal queries from immigrant families, urged continuing funding beyond the short‑term window.

Supervisor Wendy Askew moved to approve the $250,000 investment and the use of contingencies; Supervisor Luis López seconded. The board voted unanimously to approve the plan and to direct the CAO and auditor‑controller to effect budget adjustments.

What the funding will do: the county will contract with or subaward funds to selected community‑based organizations to provide in‑language application assistance, pay for a focused media campaign to announce the deadline and resources, and train outreach workers and county staff on updated policies and how to use the BenefitsCal portal. Staff said they expect to provide reporting on outreach outcomes, including applications submitted and people reached.

Why it matters: staff said tens of thousands of Monterey County residents may be affected by the upcoming policy changes; the board framed the funding as an effort to reduce uninsured rates and avoid costlier emergency health care down the line. The board asked staff to return with partners' implementation plans and to continue outreach work after the immediate deadline if additional funding and partners are available.