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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board approve and authorize the Director of Health and Human Services Agency and Board Chair to sign the revised Certification of Assurance of Compliance, pertaining to the Request for Application issued by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Elder Abuse Program for Fiscal Years 2020-21 and 2021-22.
FUNDING: Federal funding from the 2018 Victims of Crime Act, the 2019 Victims of Crime Act with a County 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 program staff as well as potentially additional volunteer hours.
On August 14, 2020, Cal OES released a new Request for Applications (RFA) 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 program staff hours and available volunteer hours to support the project’s efforts and activities, the on-going COVID-19 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.
On September 22, 2020, (File ID 20-1161), HHSA brought the Certification of Assurance of Compliance (Certification) and the grant application to the Board for approval and signature. The signed Certification and the grant application were submitted to Cal OES. On December 15, 2020, Cal OES sent a revised Certification to HHSA’s Grants Unit and noted that the agreement would not be issued until the revised Certification was completed, signed, and submitted to them. HHSA processed the revised Certification for the next available Board Agenda.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve and sign the revised Certification, Cal OES will not issue the agreement or funding and the County will be ineligible to participate in the Elder Abuse Program for FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 09-22-2020, 20-1161, HHSA Elder Abuse Grant Application 2020
2) 11-19-2019, 19-1619, HHSA Elder Abuse Grant Application
3) 12-19-2017, 16-0715 v3, HHSA Grant Award for Elder Abuse Program Personnel Resolution
4) 09-26-2017, 16-0715 v2, HHSA Elder Abuse Grant Application
5) 07-19-2016, 16-0715, HHSA Elder Abuse Grant Application, Program Personnel Resolution
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended with the understanding that HHSA will request a waiver of the County match, and if not approved, apply Senior Legal and other services as allowed by the grant as available to partially meet the match requirement prior to seeking General Fund assistance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
By accepting funding through the Elder Abuse Program in the amount of $103,000 from the 2018 Victims of Crime Act and $103,000 from the 2019 Victims Crime Act, the County becomes responsible for ensuring the match obligation totaling $51,500 associated with the funding is met. Should the County fail to account for the required $51,500 in match funding, HHSA would seek Board approval to use savings from other General Fund programs within the organization.
In previous years, the contribution of time by Senior Legal Services staff 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 has identified the match from Senior Legal Services, in consideration of potential impact to available services, due to COVID-19, HHSA has also requested a match waiver subject to Cal OES approval. The waiver request will be determined by the Grantor at the time of award. If the waiver request is denied, at that time the Board could choose not to accept the grant funds.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of the Chair on two (2) originals of the revised Certification.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) signed Certification to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director