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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 182-2022 amending the Authorized Personnel Allocation Resolution to add one (1.0) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Limited Term Senior Citizens’ Attorney I/II/III allocation in the Health and Human Services Agency.
FUNDING: 100% Older Adults Recovery and Resilience (OARR).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Older Adults Recovery and Resilience (OARR) funding through the California Department of Aging has provided $212,316 to expand existing legal services that assist older adults, and older adults with disabilities, with a variety of legal problems concerning housing, consumer fraud, elder abuse, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Medi-Cal, age discrimination, pensions, nursing homes, protective services, conservatorships, and other matters. The funding is available to be spent through December 2023.
The current 0.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Senior Citizens’ Attorney position has been vacant since 2020, despite multiple recruitment attempts, causing a significant reduction in appointment availability. Client wait times for appointments is approximately 3.5 to 5.5 months, with emergency appointments being scheduled four (4) weeks out. The addition of a limited term full time position through December 2023 will allow the program to catch up on appointments scheduled, reducing client wait time for crucial legal services. This position is in addition to a currently filled full time permanent Senior Citizens’ Attorney III and is in response to increased need and funding provided through OARR.
Working directly with the Human Resources Department, HHSA has developed the attached Personnel Allocation Resolution which was approved by County Counsel.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Personnel Allocation, thereby retaining the current allocations. Without the additional allocation, fewer senior citizens will be provided with crucial legal services, and those that are able to receive services will be forced to wait many months, resulting in potentially negative consequences for themselves and their households.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) 06/21/22, 22-0987, FY 2022-23 Personnel Allocation Resolution
2) 08/30/22, 22-1222, HHSA Personnel Allocation Resolution - Disease Investigation & Control Specialist
3) 09/27/22, 22-1686, CAO Budget Adoption
4) 10/11/22, 22-1491, HHSA Personnel Allocation Resolution - Office Assistant I/II & Social Worker III (APS)
5) 10/25/22, 22-1492, HHSA Personnel Allocation Resolution - Health Educator (PH)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Human Resources
El Dorado County Employees' Association, Local 1, AFSCME Council 57
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the addition of this position. The Limited Term position will be fully funded with the OARR funding through December 2023. Appropriations for the position were included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget, but the allocation was not added as the final determination of what position would be requested was not complete at the time of the Adopted Budget revisions.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on Resolution.
2) Provide one (1) certified Resolution to HHSA-Contracts at 3057 Briw Rd and one (1) certified Resolution to Human Resources at 330 Fair Lane.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Evelyn Schaeffer, Director, Health and Human Services Agency