CORE Investments
Total Expenses
$5,708,945
-4%
1Total Revenues
$828,942
-23%
2General Fund Contribution
$4,880,003
0%
3
District Sales Tax Contribution
$0
0%
4
Other Fund Contributions
0
0%
5
Funded Staffing
0.00
0.00
6Website
Overview
Mission Statement
The Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments is both a funding model used for a recurring Request for Proposals, and a movement to achieve equitable health and well-being in Santa Cruz County, using a collective impact, results-based approach that is responsive to community needs.The vision of CORE Investments is that Santa Cruz County is an equitable, thriving, resilient community where everyone shares responsibility for ensuring the health and well-being of all people, at every stage of life. The vision is achieved through a mission to inspire and ignite collective action to ensure Santa Cruz County is a safe, healthy community with equitable opportunities for all to thrive.
Department Overview
CORE Investments represents a commitment to promote the health and well-being for all county residents to thrive. Through the administering of Board of Supervisor dedicated funding to support programs working to improve equitable outcomes across CORE conditions and the county, the Human Services Department (HSD) manages a procurement process for the funds and reports on progress to the Board of Supervisors.Budget Summary
Department Budget Overview
Overall Budget Summary
The Proposed Budget recommends appropriations of $5,708,945, funded by revenues of $828,942 from the City of Santa Cruz and a General Fund Contribution of $4,880,003.Expenditures decrease by $250,000 and revenues decrease by $251,058, primarily due to a reduction in the City’s contribution, detailed below. The budget maintains full support for CORE Investments funding and related activities that promote equitable outcomes and community well-being across Santa Cruz County.
Currently, CORE Investments funds 35 community-based organizations to provide 43 programs to promote well-being across the county. The funding cycle is currently for a three-year period, and Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 will be year two of three. The CORE Subcommittee is examining reprogramming of the third year of funding, and will bring recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in August 2026.
All 43 CORE programs have submitted mid-year reports on their progress in FY 2025-26. Initial review shows that most programs are on track to meet both their participant targets and activity goals. The goal across all CORE-funded programs is to collectively serve 10,835 participants. Uncertainty about future funding, limited staffing, and staffing turnover and transitions are challenges reported by many CORE programs.
Emerging Issues
Emerging Issues
CORE Subcommittee: In April 2025, the Board of Supervisors established the CORE Subcommittee, comprised of Supervisor Cummings and Supervisor De Serpa, to review and recommend revisions to the CORE Investments program. Given historic County support for safety net services, and the severe reductions facing both the County and its community partners due to federal and State cuts in FY 2026-27, the Subcommittee recommended focusing available resources on five core safety net areas: Food and Nutrition; Housing and Homelessness; Health; Seniors and People with Disabilities; and Children and Families.
The Subcommittee is working with County Executive Office and Human Services Department staff and plans to present formal recommendations for the final year of the current cycle and future funding cycles to the Board of Supervisors in August 2026. These recommendations may shape future CORE Investments funding priorities and program activities. Similarly, the City of Santa Cruz established a subcommittee to assess the City’s CORE contributions, and their decisions may impact the program moving forward.
The Subcommittee is working with County Executive Office and Human Services Department staff and plans to present formal recommendations for the final year of the current cycle and future funding cycles to the Board of Supervisors in August 2026. These recommendations may shape future CORE Investments funding priorities and program activities. Similarly, the City of Santa Cruz established a subcommittee to assess the City’s CORE contributions, and their decisions may impact the program moving forward.
Department Operations and Performance
Divisions
Services
CORE Investments
Expenses
$5,708,945
Operational Plan Objectives and Accomplishments
This division supports various department objectives
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Proposed/In-Progress/Amended
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Major Budget Changes
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Budget Details
The charts below show department expenditures and revenues by division and service. Click on the pie charts to drill down for more detail. Complete detail can be found on the County's Transparency Portal.
Expenses by Expense Type
Expenses and Revenues over time
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