Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Elder Abuse Program, for Fiscal Years 2020-21 and 2021-22, for an estimated grant amount of $206,000;
2) Approve and authorize the Director of Health and Human Services Agency and Board Chair to Sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance, pertaining to the Request for Application, as required by the grant;
3) Authorize the submission of a match waiver request to Cal OES to eliminate or reduce the match obligation required as a part of the grant funding;
4) Delegate authority to the Director of Health and Human Services Agency to accept funding and execute the grant agreement, if awarded, including any extensions or amendments that do not increase the total funding; and
5) Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services Agency, or the Chief Fiscal Officer, to execute and administer any agreement or subsequent administrative documents relating to said award, including required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: Federal funding from the 2018 Victims of Crime Act, in the amount of $103,000, requiring a match contribution of $25,750, and the 2019 Victims of Crime Act, in the amount of $103,000, requiring a match contribution of $25,750, for an estimated total award amount of $206,000 and a required match contribution of $51,500. The match contribution will be met with a time commitment by Senior Legal services and/or additional volunteer hours, if Cal OES does not approve a waiver of the match requirement.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On July 19, 2016, the Board approved the Health and Human Services Agency Director to execute a grant agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in the amount of $400,000 for the Elder Abuse Program, with a term extending from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018 (Item #16-0715). The proposal submitted outlined a partnership between the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency and the District Attorney’s Office, which would consist of a Social Worker, a Victim Witness Specialist, and civil legal assistance from Senior Legal Services, who would work together to ensure more efficient collaboration between County departments working to assist victims of elder abuse. The program also mandated $100,000 in matching funds which was met by an in-kind contribution of volunteer hours, as well as time and activities of Senior Legal services.
On September 26, 2017, the Board authorized the Health and Human Services Agency to accept an additional $300,000 in funding, extending the term of the grant through December 31, 2019. Subsequent to the extension, the Board also authorized via personnel resolutions a change from the original Social Worker position proposed to a Program Coordinator, as the model for services changed as a result of changes in the type of services provided to meet client and community demands.
On October 16, 2019, Cal OES released a new Request for Applications for the Elder Abuse Program, allowing those counties who had previously participated in the program to continue participation for one additional year, a term extending from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 with a grant amount of $200,000. The new grant period carries a proportionate match requirement of $50,000, which will be met by an additional contribution of time and activities by Senior Legal services as well as potentially additional volunteer hours.
On August 14, 2020, Cal OES released a new Request for Applications for the Elder Abuse Program, thereby extending the County’s eligibility to continue participation in the program. The new RFA indicates a new term will extend from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 with a grant amount of $206,000, and a proportionate match of $51,500. While HHSA intends to continue using Senior Legal services and available volunteer hours to support the project’s efforts and activities, the on-going COVID19 pandemic has made the consistency of these activities questionable. As a result, HHSA intends to request a waiver of the match requirement, which may be approved in the full amount or a portion of the amount, subject to Cal OES approval.
It is anticipated HHSA’s Elder Abuse Program will undergo additional program level changes for 2021, which will include a focus on public awareness and outreach, coordination between agencies and organizations serving victims of elder abuse, and serving elder abuse victims of financial exploitation.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, the County would be ineligible to participate in the Elder Abuse Program for 2020.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) 16-0715 on July 19, 2016
2) 16-0715 v2, on September 26, 2017
3) 16-0715 v3, on December 19, 2017
4) 19-1619, on November 19, 2019
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Certification of Assurance of Compliance is identical to the Certification approved by County Counsel and Risk Management for the County Victim Services Program.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
By accepting funding through the Elder Abuse Program, the County becomes responsible for ensuring the match obligation associated with the funding is met. Should the County fail to account for the required $51,500 in match funding, the County would become responsible for repaying any of the $206,000 grant funds that was not matched.
In previous years, the contribution of time by Senior Legal services in support of civil legal assistance for victims of elder abuse along with available volunteer hours has been sufficient to meet the match requirements. While HHSA still plans to use these activities to support the project, HHSA intends to seek a match waiver as COVID19 has negatively impacted the both the volunteer hours available and the quantity of services provided to victims of elder abuse through Senior legal.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the required certification; and return said certification to HHSA at 3057 Briw Rd promptly to submit to Cal OES by September 23, 2020;
2) Clerk of the Board to provide a Certified Minute Order to HHSA upon approval of the Minutes by the Board.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
County Strategic Goal: “Health Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director