Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 014-2020, which authorizes the County to participate in the one-time Whole Person Care Pilot Program funding opportunity, as a result of funding allocated in the 2019-20 State of California budget; and
2) Designate the Health and Human Services Agency as the primary contact for the Whole Person Care Pilot Program funding opportunity for the County; and
3) Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services to accept funding available through the Whole Person Care Pilot Program, if awarded, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
4) Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services, Chief Fiscal Officer, or designee to execute and administer any agreement or subsequent administrative documents relating to said award, including required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: Approximately $467,854 in State funding allocated to and administered by the California Department of Health Care Services. No matching contribution is required by the County.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On October 18, 2019, the State of California Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Health Care Services released a notice of availability of one-time funding in support of California’s Whole Person Care Pilot Program, which coordinates health, behavioral health, and social services in a patient-centered manner with the goal of improving health and well-being. At present, the State is already working with twenty-five (25) counties who are providing whole person care pilot programs; the new funding allocated in the 2019-20 State budget is for those thirty-three (33) counties not currently participating. Priority funding in the Whole Person Care Pilot Program will be given to those counties who prioritize capacity and infrastructure building to support those individuals with mental illness who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
On November 22, 2019, the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency submitted a letter to the Department of Health Care Services expressing interest in the available funding. Said letter indicated the County would use the funding to assist in the implementation of a three (3) year pilot program focusing on serving chronically homeless households, providing case management, and addressing barriers to accessing housing, social services, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, and related services associated with Whole Person Care. The Director also proposed three additional personnel positions would be funded through this funding, including a Housing Program Specialist - Intake and Outreach Specialist, a Housing Program Specialist - Case Manager, and a Department Analyst.
On December 26, 2019, HHSA was notified it was selected to receive funding through the Whole Person Care Pilot Program. As a requirement of the funding, the County to submit a resolution to the California Department of Health Care Services no later than January 31, 2020. If awarded, HHSA will return to the Board requesting personnel allocations consistent with those proposed to the Department of Health Care Services, as well as a Budget Transfer Request. The funding notification from the State also specifies the resolution approved by the Board will serve as the funding agreement between the County and the State, should the County be selected for funding through this opportunity; no additional funding agreement is anticipated.
As a part of the application for the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant, the Board designated the Director of Health and Human Services Agency to serve as the Authorized Representative of the Administrative Entity for the El Dorado County Continuum of Care, El Dorado Opportunity Knocks. The funding provided through the HEAP grant as well as the Whole Person Care Pilot Program addressed through this resolution specify all programs comply with Housing First Principles as identified in the California Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 8255-8256. This section of code effectively requires the County to use evidence-based models that use housing as a tool for stability rather than a reward as a means of expediently connecting homeless people to permanent housing.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve the resolution, the County would be unable to participate in the Whole Person Care Pilot Program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) Item #18-1762, on 12/4/2018, "HHSA HEAP Application."
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The resolution and participation in the Whole Person Care Pilot Program has no immediate impact on County General Fund. Positions hired in support of the Whole Person Care efforts will be funded through the grant for the three years specified in the application. It is anticipated that these positions would be hired as limited term to avoid additional costs to the County subsequent to the end of the grant period. However, should the positions not be hired as limited term, the County could incur additional personnel costs subsequent to the end of the grant period. If awarded, HHSA will return to the Board requesting personnel allocations consistent with those proposed to the Department of Health Care Services, as well as a Budget Transfer Request.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on Resolution No. XXX-2020 and return the resolution to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
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