Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

Santa Cruz County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 1: January 1, 2004 to May 31, 2004)

Project Description

The County of Santa Cruz partnered with the County of Santa Cruz Sheriff-Coroner's Office, Watsonville/Aptos Adult School, and Ecology Action of Santa Cruz to facilitate refurbishment and distribution of discarded computer equipment, and to upgrade the existing ProMAX materials reuse network using the CIWMB-funded NapaMAX Web site as a template. A vocational training program providing computer technician certification was established for inmates of the Sheriff-Coroner's minimum-security detention facility, who would, in the course of their study, refurbish to working order equipment that could be redistributed to low-income individuals, charitable organizations, and educational institutions. Sourcing and distribution of used computer equipment would be facilitated by an upgrade of the regional materials exchange program, ProMAX.

Overview

The grant application for this project was submitted in February 2003 for the FY 2002/2003 Reuse Assistance Grant cycle. The application was carried over and approved in the FY 2003/2004 cycle. The resulting contract was fully executed on January 6, 2004, and a start work notice issued on January 13, 2004. As the original proposal anticipated a start date in spring 2003, all timelines have been shifted at least one year.

Unforeseen events at County Sheriff have delayed implementation of the vocational training element of the grant. A staffing vacancy occurred in the position of inmate program coordinator, the point of contact within the department for the training program. After an unsuccessful recruitment for the position, the position was eliminated due to budget concerns. The duties of the position were recently assumed by another Sheriff staff person, and coordination on the project has resumed. Also, structural problems were discovered in the building designated as the classroom for the training program.

Work is proceeding on the ProMAX materials exchange network upgrade, although no bills have been submitted nor reimbursement requested to date.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Secure Agreements With Training and Software Subcontractors (Reimbursable Services).
In February 2004, the County engaged the services of subcontractor Ecology Action of Santa Cruz to undertake the major portion of the work of updating the materials exchange network. In March 2004 Ecology Action contracted with Genacom, the software consultant who constructed the NapaMAX Web-based network software, to revise it for use with ProMAX. Task 1 in relation to the ProMAX upgrade is 100 percent complete.

In the next reporting period, the County will craft agreements with the parties involved in the computer technician training program.

Task 2: Recruit and Hire Vocational Training Instructor (Matching Services).

Task 3: Revise Curriculum (Reimbursable Services).

Task 4.1: Set Up Classroom /Workshop Space (Matching Services).

Task 4.2: Procure Tools and Equipment (Reimbursable Services).

Task 5.1: Administer Training Program (Matching Services).

Task 5.2: Oversee Training, Enroll Students (Matching Services).

Task 5.3: Conduct Training Program (Reimbursable Services).

Task 5.4: Conduct Training Program (Matching Services).

Task 6: Student Examination Support (Matching Services).

Task 7.1: Procure Used Computer Products (Matching Services).

Task 7.2: Test and Refurbish Computers (Matching Services).

Task 7.3: Establish Computer Distribution System (Reimbursable Services)

Task 7.4: Safe Processing of Reside (Matching Services).
Due to unforeseen events at County Sheriff described above, work has not begun on the tasks to implement the computer technician training program. Work is anticipated to begin in summer 2004 and be completed by April 2005.

Task 8.1: Select Web Host (Reimbursable Services).
In May 2004 County contractor Ecology Action selected Genacom as the most cost effective host for the new ProMAX Web-based program. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.2: Coordinate ProMAX Transition to NapaMAX Template (Reimbursable Services).
The update of NapaMAX software for use by ProMAX is nearly complete. It will be finished and ready for testing early in the next reporting period.

Task 8.3: Perform Web Site Software Implementation and Testing (Reimbursable Services).
Testing will occur in the next reporting period as soon as the software upgrade is complete.

Task 9.1: Compose and Distribute Press Release (Matching Services).

Task 9.2: Produce and Distribute Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Inserts (Matching Services).

Task 9.3: Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Insert Reproduction and Fees (Matching Services).

Task 9.4: Produce and Submit Builders Exchange Newsletter Ad (Matching Services).

Task 9.5: Builders Exchange Newsletter Ad Fees (Matching Services).

Task 9.6: Initiate Web Site Links to ProMAX (Matching Services).
Promotion and publicity tasks will be completed in the next reporting period once the new ProMAX software has been thoroughly tested. Ecology Action attended the Santa Cruz Business Fair on May 26, 2004, and announced that the Web site will be accessible soon.

Task 10.1: Maintain Web Host (Matching Services).

Task 10.2: Maintain ProMAX (Matching Services).
The County has an ongoing contract with Ecology Action to provide public education services, including maintenance of the existing ProMAX program. In the next reporting period the County will incorporate additional responsibilities for hosting and maintaining the upgraded ProMAX network into the annual renewal of Ecology Action's public education contract.

*Permission was obtained from grant recipient to publish project profile.

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Last updated: June 25, 2008