To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Arcata Regarding the Provision of Community Outreach Services that are Designed to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Among Individuals and Families Who are, or at Risk of, Experiencing Homelessness in the City of Arcata
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata regarding the provision of community outreach services that are designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among individuals and families who are, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness in the City of Arcata for the period of March 2, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed original copy of the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170)
DISCUSSION:
The City of Arcata was awarded grant funding through the California Community Development Block Grant Program for the purpose of expanding local capacity to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among individuals and families who are, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness. The Arcata Police Department desires to utilize such funding to work collaboratively with the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health (DHHS - Behavioral Health) to support the provision of various community outreach services that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the California Community Development Block Grant Program and the United States Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
The attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata will allow DHHS - Behavioral Health to assign two members of the Mobile Intervention and Services Team, up to 6 hours per day, 2 days per week, to provide, in collaboration with the Arcata Police Department Patrol and Community Response Unit, community outreach services, including, without limitation, assistance with obtaining emergency shelter and/or permanent housing and accessing behavioral health services and other community resources, for the period of March 2, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022. The benefits of the proposed collaborative relationship between the County of Humboldt and the City of Arcata include, without limitation, increased coordination of interagency responses and assurance that services are delivered with a wellness focus.
Accordingly, DHHS - Behavioral Health recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata regarding the provision of community outreach services that are designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among individuals and families who are, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness in the City of Arcata for the period of March 2, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Behavioral Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of needed community outreach services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the attached memorandum of understanding, the City of Arcata will reimburse the County of Humboldt, up to a maximum amount of $69,093, for the provision of various community outreach services that are designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among individuals and families who are, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness in the City of Arcata during the period of March 2, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata have been included in the approved fiscal year 2020-2021 budget for DHHS - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424. Funding for the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata is available through California Community Development Block Grant Program revenues received by City of Arcata. As a result, approval of the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations creating opportunities for improved safety and health, providing community-appropriate levels of service, and managing community resources to ensure sustainability of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached memorandum of understanding with the City of Arcata regarding the provision of community outreach services that are designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among individuals and families who are, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness in the City of Arcata. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow DHHS - Behavioral Health to work collaboratively with the Arcata Police Department to ameliorate various public safety hazards associated with chronic homelessness during a global pandemic.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Arcata Regarding the Provision of Community Outreach Services that are Designed to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Among Individuals and Families Who are, or at Risk of, Experiencing Homelessness in the City of Arcata
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A