DATE: October 17, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment I to Agreement with Aspiranet, Inc., for Transitional Housing Plus, Transitional Housing Plus Foster Care and Family Unification Programs
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Amendment I to Agreement A-14-722 with Aspiranet, Inc. for transitional housing and family unification assistance, extending the term through December 31, 2018 plus an optional one-year extension and increasing the maximum by $1,504,272 to a total of $3,760,680.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services to continue to provide transitional housing and family unification assistance to youth and families involved with the Child Welfare System (CWS) through the Transitional Housing Program (THP) Plus, THP Plus Foster Care and Family Unification Programs. The proposed amendment will extend the original three-year agreement for two additional 12-month periods and increase the maximum compensation by a total of $1,504,272. Services are funded through Social Services Realignment and Children’s Wraparound Program Funds.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the board does not approve the recommended action, transitional housing and support services for youth and families provided through the THP Plus, THP Plus Foster Care and the Family Unification Program will be eliminated, which may result in an increase in homelessness for this population
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The cost of the recommended amendment will increase the maximum compensation from $2,256,408 to $3,760,680. The maximum compensation for the term extension (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019) shall not exceed $752,136 annually.
Funding for the recommended action will be fully offset with 2011 Child Welfare Realignment in lieu of State General Fund and Children’s Wraparound Program Funds. Sufficient appropriations are included in the FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget for Organization 5610 and will be included in subsequent budget years.
DISCUSSION:
As a result of a formal competitive bid process, your Board approved an agreement with Aspiranet, Inc. on December 16, 2014 for the provision of THP Plus, THP Plus Foster Care, and FUP Case Management Services. Services include transitional housing for youth exiting foster care and housing support services to parents reunifying with their children where housing insecurity remains a barrier. The current agreement with Aspiranet includes a three-year term and will expire December 31, 2017. The recommended amendment seeks to extend the agreement for two additional 12-month periods based on satisfactory performance. If the recommended action is approved, the Department intends to complete a new competitive bid process prior to agreement expiration.
THP Plus is a transitional housing program for former foster youth, ages 18-24. The program goal is to provide a safe living environment while helping youth develop skills for successful independent living. Services are provided to participants for a maximum of 24 months and include educational guidance, employment counseling and community referrals. THP Plus Foster Care is similar to THP Plus; however, THP Plus Foster Care serves dependent youth ages 18-21 placed in foster care. Services provided through THP Plus Foster Care are covered by State Foster Care rates.
To further assist families and youth with housing needs, the Department maintains a partnership with the Housing Authority for participation in their Family Unification Program (FUP). The FUP provides housing vouchers to eligible families involved with CWS who are reunifying with their children, and also to youth, ages 18-21, who leave foster care and who do not have adequate housing. Participation in the FUP requires the provision of time-limited case management services that includes independent living skills, job preparation, educational counseling, homelessness prevention and health care.
If the amendment is approved, Aspiranet will maintain the daily capacity to provide transitional housing assistance to 88 current and former foster youth and housing assistance to 20 families participating in the FUP. Services will be provided on a fee-for-service basis. In 2016, Aspiranet served a total of 145 youth and families. Of these, 83% of youth received their diploma or GED while in the THP program and 82% were able to secure permanent housing upon program exit. In addition, 85% of families served were able to maintain housing stability after exiting the FUP.
If approved, the recommended amendment will be effective upon execution and shall terminate on December 31, 2018. The agreement may be extended for one additional twelve-month period through December 31, 2019 upon written approval of both parties no later than (30) days prior to the first day of the extension period. The DSS Director or designee is authorized to execute such written approval on behalf of the County based on Contractor’s satisfactory performance.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #39, December 16, 2014
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On File with Clerk - Amendment
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander