Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Receive a status update from the Senior Legal Services Ad Hoc Committee; and
2) Consider and approve the following recommendations from the Committee to maintain the current structure of Senior Legal Services since it has been determined to be the most cost effective, efficient and highest of quality service, as a program within the Health and Human Services Agency, with a comparable level of General Fund support for Fiscal Year 2018/19, and continue to look into other possibilities for sustainable funding. (Est. Time: 1 Hr.)
FUNDING: Federal, State and General Fund.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board receive a status update from the Senior Legal Services Ad Hoc Committee, and consider and approve the following recommendations from the Committee:
Maintain the current structure of Senior Legal Services since it has been determined to be the most cost effective, efficient and highest of quality service, as a program within the Health and Human Services Agency, with a comparable level of General Fund support for Fiscal Year 2018-19, and continue to look into other possibilities for sustainable funding.
Estimated time: 1 Hour.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On June 20, 2017 the Board directed the 2017-18 Ad Hoc Budget Committee to work with the Chief Administrative Office, HHSA and Commission on Aging on funding options and the organizational structure of Senior Legal Programs and return to the Board with regular updates. HHSA recently provided an update to the Board on October 24, 2017 (item #17-1108).
The Ad Hoc Committee’s purpose, as approved by the Committee in the Charter (attached), is to create a collaborative committee that promotes effective and efficient services for seniors of El Dorado County through the development of viable funding options and the creation of the most appropriate organizational structure for Senior Legal Services.
The Senior Legal Services Ad Hoc Committee held regular meetings from July 2017 thru March 2018. Various HHSA staff and Community members presented information on the operations, regulations, funding sources, targeted service areas and reporting structure of Senior Legal Services including a comparative analysis to other Counties. The attached interim report provides detailed information pertinent to the Committee discussion areas including a review of the potential risks noted by County Counsel, strategies to mitigate risk and additionally provides for options related to staffing, program changes and funding to be considered in the future.
In the interim, the Ad Hoc Committee is recommending the Board approve maintaining the current structure of Senior Legal Services since it has been determined to be the most cost effective, efficient and highest of quality service, as a program within the Health and Human Services Agency, with a comparable level of General Fund support for Fiscal Year 2018-19, and continue to look into other possibilities for sustainable funding.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the recommendation related to funding for FY 2018-19 or related to the maintenance of the program in its current structure and location, which could require HHSA to notify the California Department of Aging about the possible change in service provision and/or service levels in the next fiscal year.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board receive this update and consider and approve the recommendations from the Committee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is a general fund impact related to this Board item. Based on the recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee, sufficient general fund funding has been requested in the HHSA Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget submission.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., MPA