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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 182-2022 amending the Authorized Personnel Allocation Resolution to add one (1.0) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Limited Term Senior Citizens’ Attorney I/II/III allocation in the Health and Human Services Agency.
FUNDING: 100% Older Adults Recovery and Resilience (OARR).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Older Adults Recovery and Resilience (OARR) funding through the California Department of Aging has provided $212,316 to expand existing legal services that assist older adults, and older adults with disabilities, with a variety of legal problems concerning housing, consumer fraud, elder abuse, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Medi-Cal, age discrimination, pensions, nursing homes, protective services, conservatorships, and other matters. The funding is available to be spent through December 2023.
The current 0.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Senior Citizens’ Attorney position has been vacant since 2020, despite multiple recruitment attempts, causing a significant reduction in appointment availability. Client wait times for appointments is approximately 3.5 to 5.5 months, with emergency appointments being scheduled four (4) weeks out. The addition of a limited term full time position through December 2023 will allow the program to catch up on appointments scheduled, reducing client wait time for crucial legal services. This position is in addition to a currently filled full time permanent Senior Citizens’ Attorney III and is in response to increased need and funding provided through OARR.
Working directly with the Human Resources Department, HHSA has developed the attached Personnel Allocation Resolution which was approved by County Counsel.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the attached Personnel Allocation, thereby retaining the current allocations. Without the additional...
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