DATE: December 17, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment to Agreement with Aspiranet, Inc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to Agreement No. 24-089 with Aspiranet for Transitional Housing Program Plus, Family Unification Program for Youth and Families Case Management Services, extending the term by nine months from January 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, which includes a six-month base term and three one-month optional extensions, to incorporate new Housing Choice Vouchers from the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative, and increasing the maximum compensation by $1,543,302 to a total of $2,658,442; and
2. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board to execute Budget Transfer No. 32 transferring FY 2024-25 appropriations from the Social Services Fund 0065, Subclass 17225, Welfare Advance Fund Org 1120 ($346,413) from account 7910 to the Social Services Fund 0065, Subclass 17224, Housing Navigators Program Org 1119 account 7910 in the amount of $346,413.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services (Department) to continue to provide former foster youth and families exiting the Department’s Child Welfare Services with housing and supportive services to achieve stable permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Additionally, approval of the recommended action will increase the number of youths served through the use of Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers. The additional vouchers increase the housing navigation service component which will be offset with appropriate housing navigation and maintenance funds requested through the second recommended action. This item is Countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve recommended action 1, Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP-Plus), Family Unification Plan for Youth (FUP Youth), and Family Unification Plan for Families (FUP Families) case management services provided by Aspiranet will end on December 31, 2024, leaving youth without the supports necessary to ensure long term success in maintaining housing. Additionally, 35 vouchers made available through the FYI initiative would not be utilized, leaving vulnerable youth unhoused, especially those formerly in foster care or probation. If recommended action 2 is not approved, the Department will not have sufficient appropriations in the Housing Navigators Program Org 1119 to reimburse homeless services provided through this agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum cost of the recommended amendment is $2,658,442 and will be entirely offset with existing and future rounds of Transitional Housing Program (THP), Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP), and Senate Bill 163 funding, totaling $236,740. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget; however, there is a change in funding source for a portion of the increased cost requiring a Budget Transfer, which will provide appropriations from the Social Services Fund 0065, Subclass 17225, Welfare Advance Fund Org 1120 ($346,413) to the Social Services Fund 0065, Subclass 17224, Housing Navigators Program Org 1119 in the amount of $346,413.
DISCUSSION:
THP-Plus is a transitional housing program for former foster youth, aged 18 to 24 years old (meaning from their 18th birthday to the day before the 25th birthday). Transitional housing is essential for former foster youth due to high rates of homelessness among this population. The goal of the program is to provide transitional housing and supportive case management services to assist youth in developing self-sufficiency and transition to independent living. Services can be provided up to 24 months and include educational guidance, employment counseling, and referrals to community services.
FUP provides housing assistance in the form of Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and case management services for families exiting Child Welfare Services for whom housing insecurity remains the primary barrier to reunification and for youth ages 18-24 exiting the foster care system. FUP requires case management services be available to families and youth who are issued an HCV and includes job readiness, assistance in obtaining educational goals, and referrals to community services. Voluntary case management services are offered for up to 6 months for FUP Families and up to 36 months for youth. FUP is provided in partnership with the Fresno Housing Authority (FHA).
On February 20, 2024, the Board approved Agreement No. 24-089 with Aspiranet, Inc. for THP-Plus and FUP case management services for youth and families. This was a suspension of competition to allow for an assessment of transitional housing and case management services.
On September 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded 35 FYI housing choice vouchers for youth to FHA which will be used in partnership with the Department through the FUP Youth program. The recommended amendment will allow the FYI housing choice vouchers to be used as soon as possible, increasing the number of youths that can receive services. The increased number of vouchers available will need more staffing by the vendor, requiring an increase to the total maximum compensation.
The Department is developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for these services that will include the new FYI vouchers and expects to release the RFP in January 2025. The recommended amendment will allow sufficient time to release the RFP and select a vendor to provide the services. Should a new vendor be selected, the optional extensions will allow a seamless transfer of services. Additionally, this amendment adjusts the outcome goals to better measure the vendor’s effectiveness at assisting youths with obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. If approved, the recommended agreement will be effective January 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, consisting of a base term of six (6) months and three (3) additional one (1)-month periods. The agreement may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day advance written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #61 April 9, 2024
BAI #37 February 20, 2024
BAI #66 July 18, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment to Agreement with Aspiranet, Inc.
On file with Clerk - Budget Transfer No. 32
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully