DATE: June 22, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment for Adult Protective Services Home Safe Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to Agreement No. 19-426 with WestCare California Inc. for case management and short-term financial assistance for the Adult Protective Services Home Safe Program, effective July 1, 2021, extending the term by three years from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024 and increasing the maximum compensation by $875,355 to a total of $1,458,925.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services to extend the term three years, making it a five-year agreement, and the increase the maximum compensation by $875,355. WestCare California, Inc. (WestCare) will continue providing case management and short-term financial assistance to Adult Protective Services (APS) clients who currently are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended action; however, the Department’s ability to continue providing case management and financial assistance to vulnerable APS clients who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless will be impacted.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum amount of the agreement ($1,458,925) will be fully offset with the Home Safe Program (Program) allocation. The Program requires a dollar for dollar match that the Department will meet with staff time and financial assistance provided to APS clients through Federal Title XIX, 1991 Realignment, and 2011 Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION
The Home Safe Program is a homeless prevention program established by the California State Legislature through Assembly Bill 1811 (Chapter 35, Statutes 2018) and administered by California counties with oversight from California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Program is designed to support the safety and housing stability of APS clients who have experienced elder or dependent adult abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.
In late 2018, CDSS released a funding application for counties who had an interest in administering a Home Safe Program. The Department submitted an application on December 2, 2018 and was subsequently allocated $588,571 for a two-year pilot.
Elderly and dependent adults are two of the most vulnerable populations in the County, often lacking resources and support systems to help them when facing dire housing or domestic situations. The APS Division of the Department provides crisis-based interventions but does not have the resources to provide client services beyond crisis stabilization.
On August 20, 2019, your Board approved Agreement No. 19-426 with WestCare to provide Homeless Prevention Assistance to clients of APS who are residing in Fresno County. Since the implementation of the Program in 2019, WestCare has served thirty-two (32) clients; twelve (12) of those clients have exited the program and remained stably housed after twelve (12) months. The remaining twenty (20) are still being served by the Home Safe Program.
Upon approval by your Board, the recommended agreement will become a five-year agreement, August 20, 2019 through June 30, 2024. Either party, upon providing 30-day advanced written notice, may terminate the agreement without cause.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
BAI #45, August 20, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to Agreement No. 19-426 with WestCare
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa