Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the provision of Social Security advocacy for youth clients provided by Maximus US Services, Inc. (Maximus) are in the public's best interest and that there are specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications involved in the performance of the work in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 3.13.030(B);
2) Make findings in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17, Section 3.4 (2f), that the agreement with Maximus is exempt from Competitive Bidding due to Maximus being the sole contractor who can provide a continuity of service provision to children in foster care who need local expertise in Social Security Advocacy;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 7541 with Maximus US Services, Inc., with a not-to-exceed amount of $275,000, and for the term of three (3) years from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 7541, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: 100% State Funding and Miscellaneous Recovery Revenue.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Per California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 13757, counties are required to screen all foster youth for potential Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) eligibility when foster youth are at least 16.5 years of age and no more than 17.5 years of age. Disabled foster youth who emancipate from care without establishing eligibility for federal benefit are especially vulnerable to negative outcomes such as undiagnosed medical conditions or homelessness. This screening will increase the chances for foster youth to have a successful transition to independent living.
The County of El Dorado (County), Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) Child Welfare Services (CWS) program lacks the necessary trained staff to navigate the complex application, potential reapplication, and appeals that are indicative of the SSI/SSDI determination process.
On June 30, 2020, the County Board of Supervisors approved and authorized the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 4548 with Maximus, for the provision of Social Security advocacy to youth clients, in the amount not to exceed $275,000, for the term of three years effective upon execution through June 30, 2023 (File ID: 20-0035). HHSA is recommending the Board approve the renewal agreement of said services, Agreement for Services 7541 with Maximus to allow continued service provision for both slopes of El Dorado County (West Slope and South Lake Tahoe) to review existing foster youth’s eligibility, submit applications for existing and new foster youth, compile data, and implement training for CWS staff on a consistent basis.
Maximus has 22 years of experience working with the Social Security Administration and 42 years of operating federally-funded programs; therefore, is uniquely qualified to operate as an SSI Advocate at the level required by the County. In addition, Maximus recognizes the importance of being proactive for the transitioning foster youth population to ensure no interruption of benefits once the foster youth turns 18 years old.
Under the County of El Dorado Board of Supervisors Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4, effective October 20, 2022, HHSA recommends with El Dorado County Chief Administrative Office Procurement and Contracts Division concurrence, that competitive bidding requirements be waived for exemption reason (2(f)) “the procurement is for goods where the continuity of providers will provide efficiency or critical knowledge, and other providers of the goods cannot provide similar efficiencies or critical knowledge.”
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, HHSA would continue to provide these services with current staff, who do not have extensive training in this area and would have less time to provide current services. HHSA would be limited in its ability to provide accurate and improved SSI advocacy to its clients.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 6/30/20, 20-0035, HHSA Maximus 4548
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Procurement and Contracts, and Risk Management. Auditor Controller notified per Board Policy B-12.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations are included in the FY 2022-2023 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 signature of Chair on one (1) original Agreement for Services 7541; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit by email.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency