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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Veteran Services program, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the California Department of Veterans Affairs “County Subvention Program Certificate of Compliance” and the “Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program Certificate of Compliance” for Fiscal Year 2022-23 for participation in each of these programs;
2) Authorize the County Veterans Service Officer to actively participate in the promotion of the California Veterans License Plate program under California Military and Veterans Code Section 972.1; and
3) Authorize the use of special interest license plate fees, in accordance with California Military and Veterans Code Section 972.2, which are deposited in a special revenue fund for extra help staffing in the Veterans Services Program.
FUNDING: State subvention funding- 66%, Federal Medi-Cal matching funds- 5%, and Special Revenue Funds- 29%.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The State of California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) County Subvention Programs is a group of State funded programs mandated to reimburse counties for a portion of the costs of "presenting and pursuing any claim the veteran may have against the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) and in establishing the veteran's right to any privilege, preference, care, or compensation provided for by the laws of the United States or of this state", per the California Military and Veterans Code (CMVC) Section 971.
The three revenues sources are State General Fund, Medi-Cal Cost avoidance, and Veteran Service Office Fund (VSOF) from the sale of veteran license plates:
1) State General Fund: State subvention funding is distributed, on a pro rata basis, to counties that establish and maintain a county Veterans Service Officer under the CMVC Section 972.1. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 estimated amount for the County of El Dorado is $58,000.
2) Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance: The California Department of Veteran Affairs obtains federal matching funds to contribute, on a pro rata basis, to counties. These funds are used to defray the salaries and expenses of county Veterans Service Officers for Medi-Cal related activities under CMVC Section 972.5. The FY 2022-23 estimated amount for the County of El Dorado is $4,200.
3) VSOF: Under CMVC Section 972.2, the County receives revenue from special interest license plate fees. These fees are deposited in a special revenue fund (SRF). The proposed use of these funds is to support extra help staffing in the Veterans Services Program. The FY 2022-23 estimated amount for the County of El Dorado is $25,454
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve action items 1 and 2, the funding for the County Veterans Service Officer would be reduced by an estimated $62,200.
Should the Board decline to approve action item 3, the County would be unable to use the revenue estimated at $25,454, from special interest license plate fees. The revenue would remain in the special revenue fund until the funds are approved for use.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 11-09-2021, 21-1450, HHSA FY 2021-2022 Veterans Affairs Annual Participation in Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance
2) 12-15-2020, 20-1438, HHSA FY 2020-2021 Veterans Affairs Annual Participation in Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance
3) 12-10-19, 19-1195, HHSA FY 2019-2020 Veteran Affairs Participation in Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance
4) 11-20-2018, 18-1658, HHSA FY 2018-2019 Veterans Affairs Annual Participation in Subvention and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance
5) 12-05-2017, 17-1233, FY 2017-2018 Veteran Affairs-Annual Participation in Subvention & Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Programs
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In the FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget, the Veterans Service Officer position is budgeted at $89,168. Participation in the County Subvention Program and the Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program, ensures that El Dorado County receives State subvention funding (FY 2022-23 amount is estimated at $58,000) as well as Federal Medi-Cal matching funds (FY 2022-23 amount is estimated at $4,200) to help pay for this position.
In addition, by allowing the Veterans Service Officer to participate in the promotion of the California Veteran License Plate program, the license plate revenue (FY 2022-23 amount is estimated at $25,454) that is deposited into the Veterans Special Revenue Fund will be used for extra help staffing.
In the event these funds were not received, there would be an increase to General Fund in the amount of $62,200 to fund the County Veterans Service Officer.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on three (3) original California Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Subvention Program Certificates of Compliance; and
2) Obtain signature of Chair on three (3) original California Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program Certificates of Compliance; and
3) Return two (2) fully executed originals of each Certificate of Compliance to the Health and Human Services Agency Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Placerville
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Good Governance
CONTACT
Evelyn Schaeffer, Director, Health and Human Services Agency