DATE: June 2, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment I to Agreement with Central California Legal Services, Inc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to Agreement A-24-498 with Central California Legal Services, Inc., extending the base term by two years, with an optional one-year extension, from September 10, 2024, through June 30, 2029, and increasing the maximum compensation by $450,000 to a total of $1,295,591.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow continuation of legal services to the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) clients by Central California Legal Services, Inc. (CCLS). If approved, CCLS will continue to represent HDAP clients through the disability appeals process, helping clients receive the benefits they are eligible for and move towards self-sufficiency. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended action, HDAP clients needing legal aid for their disability Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications will not receive adequate representation to navigate the disability application and appeals process. This will result in fewer approved clients for disability benefits which may result in a return to homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation of the recommended agreement ($1,295,591) will be funded by the HDAP State allocation provided by the California Department of Social Services. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Social Services (Department) Org 5610 FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The HDAP was established in June 2016, from Assembly Bill 1603 (Chapter 25, Statues of 2016). The County began offering HDAP services through an Agreement with WestCare California, Inc. (WestCare) on September 11, 2018, to provide housing assistance and disability advocacy to HDAP clients. On December 12, 2023, a Suspension of Competition was approved by the board, for a 19-month base contract, (A-23-674), with a one-year optional extension, with WestCare to continue providing HDAP services. Data showed that almost 70% of disability applicants nationwide were denied at their initial application, and the appeals process can take up to two years. Additionally, applications in the appeal stage were more likely to be approved when the client has legal representation. Because of this, the Department sought out vendors to provide legal services to help HDAP clients improve upon their applications and represent them through the appeals process.
CCLS, with their expertise and experience working with clients seeking disability benefits, presented themselves as willing to partner with the Department to develop a legal module to meet the needs of HDAP clients. CCLS began providing legal services to HDAP clients on January 1,2024 through a Purchasing agreement, P-24-111. CCLS has worked closely with WestCare to train their staff on how to build stronger disability cases, which increased the likelihood of applications being approved upon initial submission. In the event an application is denied, CCLS represents the clients through the entire appeals process. On July 11, 2024, the Purchasing Agreement was amended to extend the agreement with CCLS from its original termination date of June 30, 2024, to August 31, 2024. On September 3, 2024, the Purchasing Agreement P-24-111 was amended again to extend the contract to September 9, 2024, as the board date for an agreement with CCLS was set for September 10, 2024. On September 10, 2024, a Suspension of Competition was approved by the Board, for a nine-month agreement (A-24-498), with a one-year optional extension.
The recommended Amendment I to the current agreement, A-24-498, would allow CCLS to continue to provide legal training and guidance to the Department to build stronger disability applications and allow CCLS to represent HDAP clients in the event their applications are denied. This will allow more clients to achieve the disability benefits they are eligible for, resulting in clients obtaining financial stability and ultimately contributing to a higher possibility of becoming permanently housed.
If approved, the recommended amendment will extend the original agreement from September 10, 2024, through June 30, 2028, with an optional one-year extension through June 30, 2029.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 60, September 10, 2024
BAI # 51, December 12, 2023
BAI #55, September 11, 2018
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment I to CCLS Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully