Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Budget Transfer Request to increase federal revenue and appropriations for Fixed Assets in the amount of $45,000 (4/5 vote required); and
2) Approve the addition of a $45,000 four-wheel drive vehicle to the fixed asset list using funding from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as a part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to improve Adult Protective Services.
FUNDING: 100% Federal Funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The County of El Dorado Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) administers the Adult Protective Services (APS) and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs. IHSS provides in-home assistance to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals as an alternative to out-of-home care and enables recipients to remain safely in their own homes. Each California County has an APS agency to assist elder adults (60 years and older) and dependent adults (18-59 who are disabled), when these adults are unable to meet their own needs, or are victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. County APS agencies investigate reports of abuse of elders and dependent adults who live in private homes, apartments, hotels, or hospitals.
On April 13, 2021, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) issued County Fiscal Letter (CFL) 20/21-88 to inform counties of the Federal Administration for Community Living, which was established by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, this letter was then corrected on April 30, 2021, by CFL 20/21-88 E which reduced El Dorado County’s allocation from $95,894 to $92,230. This Act funded grants to improve the APS services provided by state and local units of government in response to COVID-19. A total of $9.4 million in federal grant funds has been awarded to California, of which $9.2 million is being allocated to counties. These Federal Administration for Community Living funds are to be used to enhance, improve, and expand the ability of APS to help elder and vulnerable adults meet their own needs in the COVID-19 environment. El Dorado County was awarded $92,230 from this allocation, which is required to be expended prior to September 30, 2023. This funding came in as a regular APS program allocation from CDSS.
Currently, the HHSA APS and IHSS programs are operating out of the same office and share vehicles for the assessment of all new IHSS clients for services and ongoing annual reassessments, and for the provision of client home visits, as required for the majority of APS referrals. A significant portion of APS clients (37%) and IHSS clients (29.5%) currently reside in rural or remote areas of the County, which are often more reliably accessed by four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. Additionally, the APS Social Worker responsible for South Lake Tahoe (SLT) commutes from the Placerville office due to a vacancy in the SLT office. A County vehicle is used for the Social Worker to commute when available, but on occasion the employee has to use their own personal vehicle.
These two programs currently share five (5) vehicles, including one (1) 4WD and one (1) all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle, between twenty-two (22) staff. This results in staff having to borrow vehicles from other units, if available, or use personal vehicles to avoid having to reschedule or delay home visits for the provision of client services.
The grant funding will be used to purchase a new vehicle, which requires an increase in Fixed Assets in the amount of $45,000. The new vehicle will be purchased by HHSA but will be transferred to the County Fleet group for use by APS and IHSS programs after the purchase is complete. Ongoing maintenance and repairs will be covered by the Fleet Internal Service Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this Budget Transfer Request, Adult Protective Services and In-Home Supportive Services will continue to be deficient in the number of four-wheel drive vehicles available to them relative to how many are necessary to service their clients safely and in accordance with program timelines.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Department of Transportation
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to the County General Fund. HHSA is requesting a budget transfer of $45,000 for the fixed asset purchase, to ensure sufficient appropriations in the FY 2022-23 budget related to the APS Coronavirus Response and Relief grant funding. Ongoing maintenance and repairs on the vehicle will be paid out of the Fleet Internal Service Fund which has been included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Adopted Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on attached Budget Transfer Request.
2) Clerk of the Board to submit signed Budget Transfer Request to the Chief Administrative Office for processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Good Governance
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency