Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings pursuant to Section 3.13.030 (B) of the El Dorado County Ordinance Chapter 3.13, Contracting Out, that the Transitional Housing Program-Plus program to address homelessness among former foster youth administered by Whole Person Learning, Inc., requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications are involved in the performance of the work;
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4, 2.(f) exempting the competitive bidding process, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, because the procurement is for services where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the services cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 9067 with Whole Person Learning, Inc., in the amount of $1,600,000 and for the term of five years from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2030;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 9067, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
5) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 9067.
FUNDING: 90% County Realignment Funds, 10% State Funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus) is a state program created in 2001 to address homelessness among former foster youth and is governed by California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 11403.2(a)(2) and 16522. The program's goal is to provide a safe living environment to transition aged youth clients for up to 36 months, while assisting the youth in developing the life skills necessary to be successful living independently. The program provides supervised transitional living housing and supportive services including, but not limited to rental subsidy, grocery vouchers, utility assistance, transportation assistance, household supplies, furnishings, education, and employment expenses. The services provided are based on a Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP), which is developed by the youth client, County staff, and other supportive persons. The TILP details the goals and objectives the client will achieve while working toward self-sufficiency.
THP-Plus is a state and county-certified, provider-based transitional housing placement option for former foster youth, ages of 18 and 24 years of age, inclusive, who have emancipated from court-ordered out-of-home foster/probation care at age 18. Proposed THP-Plus programs must be certified by the providing county of jurisdiction. The Board approved the County’s THP-Plus Plan on March 28, 2006 (Legistar file 06-0476).
HHSA has contracted with Whole Person Learning, Inc. since 2011 for the provision of THP-Plus services. Based on HHSA's experience and ongoing working relationship with Whole Person Learning, Inc., the contractor has demonstrated their ability to perform the services and meet personnel qualifications in alignment with the THP-Plus requirements outlined in the California WIC Section 16522.1(h)(1)(21), and they have demonstrated that they have the capacity and availability to perform the services. On February 25, 2020, the Board authorized the Chair to execute the current Agreement 4520 with Whole Person Learning, Inc., for THP-Plus services for a five year term through February 28, 2025 (Legistar file 19-1833). The proposed agreement 9067 presented in this agenda item is a renewal agreement with Whole Person Learning, Inc. to ensure continuity of services.
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17, the Board is asked to find that the contractor is exempt from competitive bidding, with Purchasing Agent concurrence, per Section 3.4, 2.(f) as, “the procurement is for services where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the services cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge.” Whole Person Learning Inc. is compliant with the THP-Plus requirements and is the only local THP-Plus provider that is certified by the County. HHSA currently has clients utilizing Whole Person Learning Inc.'s services and continuity of services for the emancipated foster youth population is of the utmost importance to ensure their path to self-sufficiency. HHSA recommends Board approval on this renewal agreement to ensure continuity in these services.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, youth clients placed with Whole Person Learning, Inc. would need to be transitioned to another service provider, that would most likely result in a service lapse, which could be detrimental to current client’s treatment programs. Consequently, HHSA would need to initiate a competitive bid to find a new qualified vendor which would result in a gap in THP-Plus services.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 03/28/06, 06-0476, Human Services Department, Social Services
2) 03/01/11, 11-0161, DHS 3-1-11 Whole Person Learning Agmt 291-S1110
3) 02/11/14, 14-0189, 02/11/14 HHSA Whole Person Learning AGMT
4) 02/07/17, 17-0039, 02/07/17 HHSA Whole Person AGMT
5) 02/25/20, 19-1833, 02/25/20 HHSA Whole Person Learning Agmt 4520
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 Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Agreement for Services 9067.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency