Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 (C) that due to limited timeframes, temporary or occasional nature, or schedule for the project or scope of work, the ongoing aggregate of work to be performed is not sufficient to warrant addition of permanent staff for Funding Agreement 4244 with The Center for Common Concerns, Inc. (DBA HomeBase), for the provision of a Strategic Planning Document and second-year Implementation Plan to the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment 2 to Funding Agreement 4244 with HomeBase, with no change to the maximum obligation of $55,000, and extending the term for an additional year, through October 21, 2022; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement 4244, including amendments that do not increase the maximum obligation or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: 100% California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program Grant funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On October 22, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved Funding Agreement 4244 (File ID 19-1317, No. 13), to complete the development of a strategic plan and first-year implementation plan in collaboration with the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care (CoC) with a term of October 22, 2019, through October 21, 2020. This Agreement 4244 was funded with California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH) Grant #18-CESH-12458, which has an expenditure deadline of May 6, 2024, 90 days before the end of the CESH Grant term.
To improve local coordination of resources and to ensure continued access to available federal and state grants, Funding Agreement 4244 with HomeBase was entered into for the development of a 5-year homeless Strategic Plan for El Dorado County and the CoC. HomeBase has worked consistently with members of the CoC on the Strategic Plan, including the first community Strategic Plan meeting which was held on March 5, 2020. Surveys had been solicited from both service providers and residents experiencing homelessness between December 2019 and March 2020, and focus groups were held through several local service providers to understand the needs and experiences of the local homeless population. While these steps were being undertaken, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the CoC Board and Membership held a public meeting in the Spring of 2020 and voted to pause the development of the plan due to the unforeseen challenges that the pandemic would cause for the months ahead. Based upon this action, Amendment 1 to Funding Agreement 4244 (File ID 20-0844, No. 17) was approved by the Board of Supervisors, extending the term of the Agreement through October 22, 2021. At that point, it was unknown how long impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the ability for the CoC to come together and to create a meaningful plan for the community.
In March 2021, the CoC Board and Membership held their regular meeting and voted to restart the development of the Strategic Plan. In addition to the plan being a key to improving performance of programs and developing new strategies to combat homelessness, having a draft Strategic Plan completed in 2021 will allow the CoC and HHSA to access a number of new funding opportunities through the State of California, thereby expanding resources in the community to end homelessness for a number of these vulnerable residents. Over the past several months, HomeBase has made progress on a draft of the multi-sector homeless strategic plan which, following some remaining community meetings, will produce a draft plan by the end of 2021. As the draft is completed, the implementation plan will be developed thereafter in early 2022. In order to complete the project, HHSA is recommending that the term be extended a last time through October 22, 2022.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, the County would be out of compliance with the CESH funding application terms and conditions. Additionally, without a strategic plan, the CoC and HHSA would lose access to State funding to combat homelessness in El Dorado County.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 08/04/2020, File ID 20-0844, HHSA 4244 Amendment 1, HomeBase
2) 10/22/2019 File ID 19-1317, HHSA HomeBase Agreement 4244
3) 09/06/2019 File ID 19-1208, HomeBase presentation
4) 10/16/2018 File ID 18-1522, HHSA - CA Emergency Solutions and Housing Grant
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget, and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) originals of Amendment 2 to Funding Agreement 4244.
2) Clerk of the Board to return a signed original Amendment 2 to Health and Human Services Agency, Contracts Unit.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Objective 3.1.3: Ensure specific targeted outreach efforts aimed at the homeless community.
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director