To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with Arcata House Partnership Regarding the Provision of Community Outreach and Support Services Related to the CalFresh Program
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership regarding the provision of community outreach and support services related to the CalFresh program in an amount not to exceed $189,970 for the period of Aug. 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership, 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 professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund - Fund 1160
DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) administers all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds. Focusing on the important role SNAP plays in access to nutrition and the relation of nutrition to overall wellness, CDSS renamed and re-branded food stamps as CalFresh in California. Beyond the name and image changes, CDSS also made significant program changes to increase CalFresh use by reducing enrollment and retention barriers. Many low-income individuals and families continue to lack awareness of the program and do not apply for CalFresh benefits. Many others are not aware of program changes that can make it easier for them to receive CalFresh benefits.
USDA and CDSS have encouraged counties to work with community partners to help reach and inform community members who might be eligible for CalFresh benefits. Continuing work through outreach partnerships with community-based organizations has led to a significant increase in CalFresh enrollment within Humboldt County and throughout the state.
Arcata House Partnership offers a comprehensive range of emergency shelter, transitional housing and supportive housing services to low income residents in Humboldt County, with the goal of empowering individuals and families to obtain permanent housing. Arcata House Partnership has partnered with the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services (DHHS - Social Services) regarding the provision of CalFresh community outreach and support services over the past 7 years by integrating CalFresh outreach and application assistance into the serviced provided thereby. The CalFresh community outreach and support services provided by Arcata House Partnership reach hundreds of vulnerable individuals throughout Humboldt County and are vital to increasing the health and wellbeing of our communities.
The attached professional services agreement will allow Arcata House Partnership to continue providing community outreach and support services that are designed to increase utilization of the CalFresh program by eligible households, raise awareness of the nutrition benefits of the CalFresh program, promote healthy food choices, reduce hunger amongst those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and help dispel program myths and misperceptions.
Accordingly, DHHS - Social Services recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership regarding the provision of community outreach and support services related to the CalFresh program for the period of Aug. 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS - Social Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership, 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 and support services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership has a maximum amount payable of $189,970 for the period of Aug. 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. However, in the event local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership have been included in the approved fiscal year 2020-2021 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-511. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership is available through CalFresh revenues received by DHHS - Social Services. As a result, approval of the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership 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 facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
CDSS, USDA
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached professional services agreement with Arcata House Partnership regarding the provision of community outreach and support services related to the CalFresh program. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will limit DHHS - Social Services’ ability to increase CalFresh participation and thereby improve the health and economic stability of children, families and other individuals in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Arcata House Partnership Regarding the Provision of Community Outreach and Support Services Related to the CalFresh Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-24; C-9; C-10; C-16; C-10; C-13; C-13; TBD
Meeting of: 2/26/13; 3/11/14; 5/5/15; 4/26/16; 7/18/17; 7/24/18; 7/30/19; 7/28/20
File No.: 15-515; 16-0409; 16-1710; 16-2509; 17-2146; 18-827; 19-1067