Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of Transitional Housing and associated services for homeless Transitional Age Youth provided by Contractor are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills, qualifications, and equipment not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign competitively-bid Agreement for Services 6954 with Tahoe Youth and Family Services, in the amount of $214,026, and for the term of 2 years from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 6954, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Assistant Director of Human Services, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 6954.
FUNDING: 100% State Funding: Homeless Housing Assistance Program.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The El Dorado County’s (County) Chief Administrative Office Procurement and Contracts Division released Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 22-952-033 on January 6, 2022, for Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, Housing Supports and Supportive Services (HOP-HSSS). As a result of this evaluative process, HHSA identified Tahoe Youth and Family Services as the most successful Respondent for services targeting Transitional-Age Youth, aged eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24). Consistent with the Board’s C-17 policy at the time, as well as Federal Procurement Policy, the RFQ was released to ensure compliance with funding requirements identified in statute. The current agreement, 5404 expires June 30th, with this being the succession agreement to reduce gaps in services.
On July 13, 2021, the Board approved to accept Round 2 of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP 2) grant funding. As a requirement for applying to the HHAP Round 2 funding opportunity, HHSA and the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care (EDOK CoC) had to allocate at least eight percent of its allocation as Youth Set-Aside funding, for services for unaccompanied youth who are between 12 and 24 years old and experiencing homelessness, in accordance with Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 50218.5(f) (File ID 21-1000).
On November 16, 2021, the Board delegated authority to the HHSA Director to accept HHAP Round 3 grant funding (HHAP 3). As a requirement for applying to the HHAP 3 funding opportunity, HHSA and the EDOK CoC had to allocate at least 10 percent of its allocation as Youth Set-Aside funding, for services for unaccompanied youth who are between 12 and 24 years old and experiencing homelessness, in accordance with Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 50218.5(f) (File ID 21-1720).
Tahoe Youth and Family Services has successfully provided Transitional Housing services to Transitional-Age Youth eighteen (18) through twenty-four (24) experiencing homelessness in El Dorado County since July 1, 2021, through Agreement 5404. These services include providing an intensive housing program for persons aged 18-24 who benefit from stable housing and case management with a master-leased program through Tahoe Youth and Family Services, providing life skills, job readiness, housing search support, and other services.
In an effort to reduce the number of youths entering Homelessness, and to allow HHSA and the EDOK CoC to meet the required Youth Set-Aside budgeted commitments under the HHAP grant program, Agreement 6954 adds Homelessness Prevention and Shelter Diversion, which provides rent assistance, stabilization support, and life skills training to the targeted youth population in the County.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board declines to approve this recommendation, HHSA and the EDOK COC will be unable to meet the Youth Set-Aside requirement of the HHAP Round 2 and Round 3 Funding Agreements and will be out of compliance with the contracts with the state funding agency.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1. 07/13/21, 21-1000, HHSA - HHAP Grant Round 2 Funding Acceptance
2. 11/16/21, 21-1720, HHSA HHAP Round 3 Resolution, Funding Acceptance and Budget Transfer Request
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
The Auditor-Controller has been notified per Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund impact or increase to Net County Cost. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain signature of Chair on the original Agreement for Services 6954.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency