DATE: August 20, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with WestCare California, Inc. for Home Safe Homeless Prevention Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with WestCare California, Inc. for case management and short-term financial assistance for the Adult Protective Services Home Safe Program, effective August 20, 2019 through June 30, 2020, with one optional one-year extension, total not to exceed $583,570.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow WestCare California, Inc. (WestCare) to provide case management and short-term financial assistance to Adult Protective Services (APS) Home Safe Program clients who are at risk of becoming homeless. Services will be financed with Home Safe Program funding, with no Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should the recommended action not be approved, the Department of Social Services will not be able to accept the Home Safe Program allocation from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum compensation is $583,570 and will be funded with the Home Safe 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 2019-20 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
Home Safe Program is a homeless prevention pilot established by the California State Legislature through Assembly Bill 1811 (Chapter 35, Statutes 2018) and administered by the counties, with oversight from CDSS. The Program is designed to support the safety and housing stability of APS clients who are at risk of becoming homeless by providing case management and short-term financial assistance. In late 2018, CDSS released a funding application for counties who had an interest in administering a Program. The Department submitted an application on December 2, 2018, and was subsequently allocated $588,571 to be expended by June 30, 2021.
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 intervention and does not have the resources to provide client services beyond 90 days.
The Department released a Request for Proposal for case management and financial services for the Program on April 22, 2019, which closed on May 13, 2019. All registered members of Public Purchase were notified - including all members of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care. One bid was received, but deemed non-responsive by the Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division. As a result, the Department approached WestCare to provide the services. WestCare has extensive experience in working with homeless individuals, including multiple agreements with the Department for coordinated entry case management, disability advocacy, rental assistance, and diversion services. Additionally, WestCare has the administrative capacity to provide the services with minimal startup time.
Upon approval by your Board, the recommended agreement will be effective August 20, 2019 through June 30, 2020, with one optional one-year renewal term. Either party, upon providing 30-days advance written notice, may terminate the agreement without cause.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with WestCare California, Inc.
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa