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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 133-2022 to:
1) Delegate authority to the Director of HHSA, or Assistant Director of Human Services, to accept the 2022 Supplemental Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (SLIHEAP) funding, and to execute the Funding Agreement 22Q-4556 (County Agreement 6842), the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Form, and Lobbying Form, with the State of California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) for the provision of SLIHEAP services to eligible residents of El Dorado and Alpine counties for a term beginning September 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, in the initial amount of $127,678; and
2) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Assistant Director of Human Services, to administer said agreement and subsequent amendments, if any, as long as they do not impact net county cost and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, and to further authorize the HHSA Director or HHSA Agency Chief Fiscal Officer, to execute any required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: 100% Federal Supplemental Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (SLIHEAP) funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On January 24, 2022, the State of California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) received the 2022 Supplemental Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (SLIHEAP) grant award in the amount of $4,177,848, from the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). CSD has distributed this IIJA supplemental funding through contracts with statewide Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP). LIHEAP helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs by providing federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs.
On June 21, 2022, CSD released a Program Advisory to outline the allocation and expenditure of 2022 SLIHEAP funds, limiting the use of these funds to utility assistance (UA), including the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Fast Track (FT), and Wood, Propane, and Oil (WPO). The 2022 Supplemental LIHEAP allocation will include the full complement of administrative and support costs to administer the various forms of utility and fuel assistance services, including outreach, intake, Assurance 16 (develops information and energy education materials to LIHEAP clients), training, and technical assistance.
The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) received the SLIHEAP Agreement 22Q-4556 (Fenix 6842) from CSD for execution on July 28, 2022, with a term effective September 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, totaling $127,678, and immediately began processing it for Board approval.
Upon Board approval, HHSA shall utilize the SLIHEAP funding to provide Supplemental Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP) assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) assistance to eligible low-income households in El Dorado and Alpine Counties in accordance with HHSA’s service delivery plan approved by CSD. HHSA shall ensure the highest level of assistance will be furnished to those households which have the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs or needs in relation to income. SHEAP and ECIP services include financial assistance to help balance eligible low -income household's utility bills and assist low-income households that are in an energy related crisis situation.
CSD will continue to receive IIJA funds for SLIHEAP over a period of five (5) years, through the program year 2026, and will release each grant award to counties through a separate contract. Beginning in the next fiscal year, this annual SLIHEAP funding award will be included on HHSA’s annual Board Resolution for ongoing revenue agreements from granting agencies.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of this item will result in the loss of critical revenue which allows HHSA to provide assistance to eligible El Dorado County and Alpine County low-income households with high energy costs.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this funding Agreement. HHSA has incorporated this funding and associated appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Adopted Budget revisions that the Chief Administrative Office is compiling for Board consideration in September.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on (1) original Resolution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Daniel Del Monte, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency