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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) 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 2021-22 and 2022-23, for an estimated grant funding amount of $217,445;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair, and the HHSA Director, to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance, and approve and authorize the HHSA Director to also sign the Grant Subaward Face Sheet, as required by the grant;
3) If awarded, delegate authority to the HHSA Director to accept the resulting funding award and execute the grant agreement, including any extensions or amendments that do not increase the total funding or term of the grant, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director or designee to execute and administer any subsequent administrative documents relating to said award, including required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: 65% Victims of Crime Act funding and 35% State General Fund with a required match contribution of $35,087 that will be met with an in-kind time commitment by Senior Legal services and/or a contribution of volunteer hours.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On September 22, 2020, the Board approved the Director of Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to execute a grant agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), for the term of 12 months, from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (Item #20-1161). The grant program mandated matching funds which was met by an in-kind contribution of volunteer hours, as well as time and activities of Senior Legal services. HHSA has applied for, been awarded, and subsequently accepted the Cal OES Elder Abuse grant since 2016. The initial grant proposal submitted in 2016 (Item #16-0715) outlined a partnership between the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency and the District Attorney’s Office, which consisted of a Program Coordinator, 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. On September 8, 2021, 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 grant program. The new RFA indicates a new term will extend from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 with a grant amount of $217,445, and a proportionate match of $35,087, in which HHSA intends to continue using Senior Legal services and volunteer hours to meet the required match.
It is anticipated that HHSA’s Elder Abuse Program will continue to 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 2021, and would not receive the grant award for 2022.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 16-0715, v1, Agenda No. 16, on July 19, 2016
2) 19-1619, Agenda No. 15, on November 19, 2019
3) 20-1161, Agenda No. 16, on September 22, 2020
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Certification of Assurance of Compliance and Grant Subaward Face Sheet (identical forms) were approved by County Counsel for the County Victim Services Program.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
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 $35,087 in match funding, the County would become responsible for repaying any of the $217,445 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. HHSA plans to continue to use these activities to support the project and the victims of elder abuse. It is not anticipated that this grant will have an impact on the General Fund.
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 via email to HHSA's Grants Unit at hhsa-eldoradoco-grants@edcgov.us by October 16, 2021;
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