DATE: June 23, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Dawan Utecht, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with the California Department of Rehabilitation
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Cooperative Agreement with California Department of Rehabilitation for a grant match that provides funding for vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with a serious mental illness through Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023, total not to exceed $581,169.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will enable the Department of Behavioral Health and the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) to draw down federal grant funds to provide state funding for vocational and educational services within Fresno County. Fresno County has a previously established Agreement with Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network (DEN) for vocational and educational services (A-20-102), but this Cooperative Agreement allows for enhanced services grant funds provided by DOR.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the recommended action is not approved, the California Department of Rehabilitation will be unable to leverage sufficient federal grant dollars and Fresno County’s Vocational and Education Services program through Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network will lack sufficient funding to maintain their program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The total cost for the annual local match obligation under the recommended Cooperative Agreement ($581,169) will be financed with Mental Health Services Act Community Services and Supports funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5630 FY20-21 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budgets to cover the anticipated cost of this contract term.
DISCUSSION:
Since August 2011, the Department has collaborated with DOR to combine resources to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with serious mental illness. On March 10, 2020, the Department entered into an Agreement with Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network to become the provider of vocational and educational services in Fresno County. DOR will combine staff and resources with Dreamcatchers to provide a broad range of vocational rehabilitation services.
The Department provides local match funds to DOR to leverage federal grant dollars to provide vocational rehabilitation services. This grant provides joint funding for Dreamcatchers to operate and provide services, while also providing funding for DOR staff to support Dreamcatchers and the Department.
If approved, the Recommended Agreement will maintain the collaborative partnership with the State Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and the County’s Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to provide recovery, vocational and educational services and to promote wellness through supported employment and education in a welcoming, accessible, recovery-oriented system where people with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders can achieve hope, healing and a meaningful life within their community.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #34, March 10, 2020
BAI #34, December 5, 2017
BAI #33, September 10, 2013
BAI #54, August 9, 2011
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Department of Rehabilitation
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander