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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board of Supervisors, acting as the Governing Board of the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority (IHSS PA):
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 (B) that it is appropriate to contract with Jump Technology Services for the provision of IHSS PA provider portal and registry software services, provided under Agreement 6272 because “specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in classifications are involved in the performance of the work;”
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 6272, for the provision of the software services, for the term of August 1, 2022, through July 31, 2024, with a maximum contractual obligation of $16,480; and
3) Authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 6272, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: 46% Federal, 45% State, and 9% County General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Each county in California is required to administer an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program which provides in-home assistance to eligible aged, blind and disabled individuals as an alternative to out-of-home care and enables recipients to remain safely in their own homes. The IHSS Public Authority (PA) was established by state law in 2001 and is responsible for specific tasks to help eligible recipients and providers of IHSS in our County. These include: provider enrollment, maintaining a provider registry, helping to match screened providers with recipients, and providing training and information about available trainings.
In accordance with the California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 12302.25, the El Dorado County Ordinance Code Chapter 8.78 established the IHSS PA as “an entity separate and distinct from the County” (Section 8.78.050(A)(1)) and authorized the Board of Supervisors to sit as the Governing Board of the El Dorado County IHSS PA (Section 8.78.030(B)). Per ordinance, “any obligation of the Public Authority, whether statutory, contractual, or otherwise, shall be the sole obligation of the Authority and shall not be the obligation of the County” (Section 8.78.080(B)(1)).
The IHSS PA has designated the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to administer this program on behalf of the County. For this reason, HHSA is recommending the Board approve this Agreement with Jump Technology Services to supply the BOUNDS software, a proprietary web-based platform for the management of the IHSS Public Authority, which was implemented during the pandemic and allowed the County to quickly implement an online provider enrollment process.
The County currently also contracts with Jump Technology for its Adult Protective Services (APS) web-based platform (LEAPS) which is utilized by approximately two-thirds of the counties in California at this time. The vendor is a subject matter expert in these fields, including processes and workflow, in addition to being a leader in the Information Technology (IT) industry for County IHSS programs. County IHSS Public Authority and/or IT classifications do not have the specialized requisite expertise or experience to design, develop and implement a comparable platform with the same benefits of the current platform utilized by the majority of the state.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of Agreement for Services 6272 will render IHSS PA unable to utilize the efficient online provider enrollment process.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Risk Management, and Information Technologies
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The IHSS Public Authority is funded through a combination of federal, state and County General Fund revenues. The federal contribution is approximately half of total costs, the state contribution is a capped state general fund allocation, and the County General Fund covers the balance of costs. IHSS PA is budgeted to be funded in FY 2022-23 as follows: 46% Federal, 45% State, and 9% County General Fund. It is anticipated that the IHSS PA State General Fund allocation will increase in Fiscal Year 2022-23, and can be utilized for Agreement for Services 6272. If the increased State allocation is not approved in Fiscal Year 2022-23, the department will identify savings for Agreement for Services 6272.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain Chair signature on one (1) original Agreement for Services 6272.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Aligns with County Strategic Plan Goal: Good Governance: Achieving the best possible process for making and implementing decisions in accordance with the County's core values, legal requirements and industry best practices.
CONTACT
Daniel Del Monte, Interim Director