To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation Regarding the Provision of Support and Temporary Shelter Services to Individuals and Families experiencing Homelessness in Humboldt County
end
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 the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation regarding the provision of support and temporary shelter services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Humboldt County in an amount not to exceed $615,140 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022;
2. Approve, and 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 the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation 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 the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160)
DISCUSSION:
Since its grand opening in September 2016, Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation’s shelter program has been providing temporary shelter and housing relocation services, to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Humboldt County. To date, 154 families referred by the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services (DHHS - Social Services) have been sheltered and a total of 56 families have been permanently housed since June, 2017.
The shelter and housing relocation services provided by the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation are temporary in nature and residents are required to participate in housekeeping activities such as laundry, dishes, sweeping and vacuuming, in addition to either working or seeking work and ensuring children are enrolled in school or daycare programs, as appropriate. Residents leave the shelter program with greater family stability, and program staff are constantly working on improving and upgrading the program to provide better support and outcomes for families served.
Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation’s day center program provides critical services needed to provide continuity, stability and support for homeless families. The after-school program ensures that children 6 to 12 years of age have consistency and can count on a supportive routine while their family receives housing stabilization support. The day center program also assists parents in becoming self-sufficient by providing: mail and phone services necessary for housing and employment searches; computer access for employment and housing searches; assistance in acquiring necessary documentation such as birth certificates and government identification; and professional clothing for job interviews.
Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation’s shower facilities ensure that families experiencing homelessness have needed access to showers and hygiene materials, which is important not only for housing and employment searches, but also for maintaining dignity and a basic quality of life while undergoing difficulty in maintaining stable housing.
The attached professional services agreement will allow eligible DHHS - Social Services clients who are experiencing homelessness to continue receiving support and temporary shelter services from the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
Accordingly, DHHS - Social Services recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation regarding the provision of support and temporary shelter services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Humboldt County for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. It is also recommended 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 the Betty Kwan Chinn Foundation, 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 support and temporary shelter services to eligible DHHS - Social Services clients who are experiencing homelessness.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation has a maximum amount payable of $615,140 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. 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 the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation in its entirely.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2021-2022 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget units 1160-511005 and 1160-508. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation is available through federal temporary assistance and state general fund and realignment revenues received by DHHS - Social Services. As a result, approval of the attached professional services agreement with the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and improving the health and safety of our communities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached professional services agreement with the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation regarding the provision of support and temporary shelter services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Humboldt County. However, this alternative is not recommended because families currently receiving such services would be at extremely high risk of remaining homeless and experiencing increased family instability.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation Regarding the Provision of Support and Temporary Shelter Services to Individuals and Families Experiencing Homelessness in Humboldt County for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-6; C-23; C-19; C-19; C-12; C-20
Meeting of: 05/03/16; 06/27/17; 07/11/17; 06/19/18; 06/18/19; 06/23/20
File No.: 16-2848; 17-2010; 17-2097; 18-597; 19-784; 20-689