Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively bid Funding Out Agreement 8019 with Live Violence Free, with an approximate annual obligation of $60,000, contingent on funding availability, and for the term of December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively bid Funding Out Agreement 8081 with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships, with an approximate annual obligation of $60,000, contingent on funding availability, and for the term of December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreements 8019 and 8081, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the Net County Cost or the term of the Agreements; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the HHSA Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreements 8019 and 8081.
FUNDING: 100% Marriage license fees in accordance with California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 18305 (b).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Domestic Violence Shelter-Based (DVSB) services, as outlined in the California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 18290-18309.8, encompass a range of critical offerings, including 24-hour emergency shelter services, a crisis hotline, psychological and peer support counseling, referrals to existing services, advocacy, and emergency transportation for victims of domestic violence.
Funding for DVSB services in the County is derived from fees associated with the issuance of marriage licenses, as per Section 26840 of the Government Code. This funding is then disbursed to the contracted service providers on a quarterly basis, with the allocation being in sync with the available funds in the Domestic Violence Special Fund. Complying with the Government Code, the revenue collected and interest accrued in the County's Domestic Violence Special Fund fluctuate and are fairly distributed on a quarterly basis among the County's contracted Domestic Violence Service Organizations, who are responsible for providing the specified services.
The County, through its Public Health Division, under the provisions of Section 26840 of the Government Code, is required to undergo a competitive selection process to identify qualified providers to be awarded funding through the County's Domestic Violence Special Fund, to provide DVSB services. As a result of the competitive selection process, the contracted providers shall meet the following objectives:
a. Provide temporary emergency and crisis services to victims of domestic violence and their children; and
b. Provide resource connections for victims of domestic violence and their children, in order to facilitate an appropriate transition into a long-term, safe living environment.
On April 27, 2023, on behalf of HHSA Public Health Division, the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) Procurement and Contracts (P&C) Division issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 23-918-061 to invite Respondents to submit Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) for DVSB services. The RFQ stipulated that awarded funding for DVSB services would be evenly divided between the West Slope and East Slope of the County. Two SOQs were received that met the RFQ requirements, in which one of the Respondents proposed services in the County’s West Slope, while the other proposed services on the County’s East Slope, thereby providing service locations in accordance with the RFQ.
A panel of three evaluators, each well-versed in domestic violence programs, reviewed these SOQs and determined that both Respondents were eligible for award. Subsequently on June 30, 2023, CAO P&C posted the RFQ award list in which The Center for Violence-Free Relationships was awarded to provide these services in the West Slope and Live Violence Free was awarded to provide these services on the East Slope.
HHSA recommends the Board approve and execute Funding Out Agreements 8019 and 8081 with these Respondents to ensure continuity of DVSB services in the County. Both of these respondents have been providing DVSB services in the County since 2017. HHSA will continue to prepare and submit to the Board the Domestic Violence Shelter-Based Program Annual Certifications and Annual Reports for each calendar year to satisfy the requirements set forth in WIC Section 18293(h) and WIC Section 18300.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve of these agreements with Live Violence Free and The Center for Violence-Free Relationships, Domestic Violence Shelter-Based services as defined in the Welfare and Institutions Code would be not provided in the County, which would place the County out of compliance for the provision of these regulated services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 04/18/17, 17-0364, HHSA Award of RFQ 17-918-038
2) 03/17/20, 20-0318, HHSA Award of RFQ 20-918-033 Domestic Violence Shelter Program
3) 01/05/21, 20-1653, HHSA/PH Annual Reports & Certifications for DV Shelter-Based Program Services
4) 03/09/21, 21-0218, HHSA/PH Annual Reports & Certifications for DV Shelter-Based Program Services
5) 03/08/22, 22-0307, HHSA/PH Annual Reports & Certifications for DV Shelter-Based Program Services
6) 06/06/23, 23-0653, HHSA First Amendments to Agreements 4780 and 4781 for Domestic Violence Programs
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, Procurement and Contracts, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Funding for these services is generated through marriage and license fees and is included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget as well as future budgets for the term of the agreements.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original for both Funding Out Agreement 8019 and Funding Out Agreement 8081.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency