Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Community Services Division, recommending the Board:
1) Accept additional funding from the California Department of Community Services and Development in the amount of $15,078, to provide support to the operation of the temporary winter shelters in El Dorado County making the new maximum amount of the contract $32,078;
2) Authorize and delegate authority to the Health and Human Services Agency Director to sign Amendment 1 to Standard Agreement 16F-5531 (County Agreement 497-F1611) for the term June 15, 2016 through May 31, 2017, as well as any further amendments thereto, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
3) Authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director or Chief Fiscal Officer to execute any required fiscal and programmatic reports for said Agreement.
FUNDING: Federal Funding managed by the California Department of Community Services and Development.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board accept this additional one-time discretionary funding offered by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) to provide support to the operation of the temporary winter shelters in El Dorado County.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On August 8, 2016, the Board approved the original funding Agreement 497-F1611 (File ID 16-0744, Item 11). The purpose of the original $17,000 in funding was to pay for HHSA staff who work in CSD-funded programs to attend trainings to increase their knowledge, skills, and capacities to fulfill the requirements of the new Organizational Standards.
CSD issued Amendment 1 in September 2016, which extends the termination date from December 31, 2016 to May 31, 2017, and increases the amount of the Agreement by $15,078 to a new total of $32,078. Per CSD direction, this additional funding can only be used on the following efforts: 1) Agency Capacity Building, 2) Homelessness, or 3) Increasing Access to Earned Income Tax Credits. HHSA staff analyzed existing programs and services in all three categories and determined it would be most appropriate to recommend to the Board that the one-time funding be utilized to provide support to the temporary winter shelters. On October 3, 2016, County staff provided an update to the Board on the Opportunity Knocks Collaborative and the efforts in motion to establish a single point-of-entry process for accessing services for those that are homeless. A single point-of-entry process will allow for reliable countywide data that can be used to obtain additional direct services such as funds for permanent housing, case management services, etc. that will help community members transition out of homelessness to self-sufficiency. During that workshop, public comment was provided about the pressing need for additional direct services, such as immediate need sheltering that will complement the developing single point-of-entry process. HHSA staff has determined it appropriate to recommend to the Board that allocating this additional one-time funding toward this immediate direct service is in accordance with objectives within the Healthy Communities Strategic Goal of the County Three-Year Strategic Plan, assists community members with a place to sleep during the cold winter months, and is in accordance with direction from CSD.
The additional $15,078 in one-time revenue will be used to provide support to two temporary winter shelters operated in El Dorado County during the winter months. These temporary shelters are primarily run by volunteers and operate under non-profit (501c3) organizations. One temporary winter shelter operates in the South Lake Tahoe basin and the other operates on the Western Slope of the County. HHSA will provide reimbursement for bed nights during the winter months up to a maximum amount and in accordance with an appropriate methodology that distributes the funds amongst both slopes equitably. The rate to be paid to the shelter is a per diem bed night rate of $12.50/night per homeless individual up to a maximum total of $15,078. This rate is the same as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved rate for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not accept the additional funding.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Concurrence by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to provide one (1) Certified Minute Order to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan Goal: Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director, Health and Human Services Agency