Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board discuss the current El Dorado Opportunity Knocks (EDOK) Board application period and identify who should serve as the County's representative on EDOK for a two-year term, effective February 4, 2022.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, which is facilitated through the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. Through being responsible for receiving Federal and State funding and holding annual funding competitions in the community, CoCs provide grant funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, as well as State and local governments, to rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals and families. There are 44 CoCs in the State of California and over 400 CoCs nationwide. In El Dorado County, our CoC program is called El Dorado Opportunity Knocks (EDOK).
Per HUD Federal Guidelines, CoCs are responsible for coordinating the community’s policies, strategies, and activities geared toward ending homelessness. CoC requirements include but are not limited to: establishing and maintaining a formal governance and structure, Coordinated Entry System operations and planning, annual community applications and processes to receive funding, designating and operating the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and strategic planning to improve system performance. Additionally, throughout the year, CoC’s are responsible for submitting several reports to HUD, including: Housing Inventory Count, Point in Time Count, System Performance Measure Reports, Annual Homeless Assessment Report, Grant Inventory Worksheet, and Consolidated Applications for funds on behalf of the community.
Specific to the governance of CoCs, HUD requires that each CoC establish a governing board that meets federal requirements as highlighted in the HUD CoC Program Interim Rule. The CoC Board must be a collective of individuals designated to provide oversight and governance on behalf of the CoC. The CoC Board’s responsibilities are established within the HUD CoC Program Interim Rule and defined by the local CoC data and membership. These responsibilities must be described in the local CoC’s governance charter, which is submitted to HUD annually as part of their oversight and as part of the process for receiving grant awards. A link to the EDOK governance documents webpage has been attached to this item. Per the governance documents, “the EDOK Board shall meet six times annually. Special meetings may be called by the Chair as needed; however, meeting notices will be sent out in advance of the meeting.” A link to the webpage with the 2022 meeting schedule has been attached to this item. HUD requires that the CoC Board must be representative of the relevant organizations and of projects serving homeless populations and subpopulations within the CoC's geographic area, which in EDOK’s case is El Dorado County. The CoC Board must also include at least one homeless or formerly homeless individual.
On January 11, 2022, HHSA presented to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) regarding the role and responsibilities of the Continuum of Care, Administrative Entity, and Collaborative Applicant (Item 22-0008). During the discussion, members of the Board of Supervisors asked questions regarding who the County’s representative was on the EDOK Board, as well as other questions around the CoC governance structure and which organizations are represented. The County's current representative assigned to EDOK is Ranell Brown, Deputy Director of Community Services.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board can choose to continue with the current model of having Ms. Brown represent the County on EDOK, choose to nominate a member of the Board of Supervisors or appoint another individual as determined by he Board to serve in this capacity.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) 13-1132, September 10, 2013, a presentation on homelessness in El Dorado County.
2) 17-0741- Version 1, August 15, 2017, a presentation on El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care (CoC).
3) 17-0741- Version 2, December 5, 2017, a presentation on the Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuums of Care, and the return on investment of existing CoC’s in other counties.
4) 20-1163, November 10, 2020, a presentation of the status of the Housing and Homelessness Program in the County of El Dorado.
5) 21-1366, August 31, 2021, a presentation and update regarding the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Homeless Continuum of Care Program (EDOK) and related HHSA homeless grants, program outcomes, and upcoming opportunities, including an update on the steps remaining to finalize the EDOK Homeless Strategic Plan.
6) 22-0008, January 11, 2022, a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of the Continuum of Care, and the roles and responsibilities of the Administrative Entity / Collaborative Applicant.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Considering the policy and decision making authority provided to EDOK that was discussed with the Board of Supervisors at their January 11, 2022, Board meeting, a member of the Board of Supervisors should be appointed to represent the County's interest on EDOK.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Health and Human Services Agency
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities and Public Safety Strategic Plan Goals
CONTACT
Don Ashton, MPA
Chief Administrative Officer