DATE: December 14, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Maria I. Aguirre, Interim Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment to Agreement with WestCare California, Inc. for Housing and Disability Advocacy Program Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Third Amendment to Agreement with WestCare California, Inc. for Housing & Disability Advocacy Program Services to optionally extend the term by one year, which consists of up to three four-month extensions, from June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and increasing the maximum by $739,876 to a total of $2,510,080.
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 utilize Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds to support the housing and case management needs of the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP). This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If your Board does not approve the recommended action, there will be insufficient funding for housing assistance and supportive services to disabled individuals experiencing homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The increase ($739,876) will be offset with Federal ESG funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues have been included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget and will be included in future budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
On September 11, 2018, the Board approved Agreement No. 18-541, which authorized a 22-month pilot program with WestCare to provide HDAP services to homeless, disabled individuals. Participants in HDAP receive housing, case management, and support from disability income advocates who are specially trained to prepare disability benefits applications with strong supporting medical documentation.
First Amendment No. 18-541-1, which added $30,013 in Federal ESG funds to the agreement, was approved by the Board on March 26, 2019. Second Amendment No. 18-541-2 was approved by your Board on June 23, 2020 and aligned the scope with revised State guidelines, extended the term by an additional two years, and increased the maximum compensation by $782,391.
Approval of the recommended action will allow for the extension of the agreement beyond June 30, 2022 into a fifth year of services, if needed, to ensure the stability of client supportive services for HDAP participants. The recommended action also revises the FY 2021-22 budget to allow for necessary housing assistance expenditures, add additional staffing and supervision to lower caseload ratios, and permits the subcontracting of disability application review services. Each of these changes will support WestCare’s ability to achieve program objectives.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #54, June 23, 2020
BAI #51, March 26, 2019
BAI #55, September 11, 2018
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment III to Agreement with WestCare
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa