To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with the Yurok Tribe Regarding the Provision of Case Management, Social Work and Housing Navigation Services to Eligible Children and Families as Part of the Bringing Families Home Program
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 Yurok Tribe regarding the provision of case management, social work and housing navigation services to eligible children and families as part of the Bringing Families Home Program in an amount not to exceed $475,000 for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024;
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 the Yurok Tribe, 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 Yurok Tribe to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund 1160, Bringing Families Home Program funding from the California Department of Social Services
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services (DHHS - Social Services) and the Yurok Department of Health and Human Services (YHHS) jointly applied for, and were awarded, $700,000 in Bringing Families Home Program funding from the California Department of Social Services in November 2019, in the amount of $700,000, for the period Feb. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. The purpose of that Bringing Families Home Program is to reduce the number of families in the child welfare system who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness, increase family reunification and prevent foster care placement. The first round of funding supported a full-time housing navigator position in the Housing, Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) division of DHHS - Social Services and a half time social worker and half time housing navigator at YHHS, with the remaining funding going to direct supports for clients including rent and temporary shelter.
In an All-County Welfare Director Letter dated Feb. 11, 2022, The California Department of Social Services continued funding for the Bringing Families Home Program through a non-competitive allocation. The total amount allocated to DHHS - Social Services and YHHS is $1,521,931 for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024. Since the summer of 2020, DHHS - Social Services and YHHS have been coordinating to refer eligible families to, and provide services through, the Bringing Families Home Program. DHHS - Social Services and YHHS have been using Bringing Families Home Program funding to house eligible families, including Yurok families, throughout Humboldt County. As of Aug. 22, 2022, 102 families, including 17 Yurok families, have been referred to the Bringing Families Home Program, and 33 families, including six Yurok families, have been permanently housed. Increased funding in the second allocation from CDSS supports continued efforts to help families obtain stable permanent housing, as well as increased efforts to support families in retaining housing through case management. DHHS - Social Services and YHHS are continuing to collaborate regarding the provision of needed services to families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The exceedingly challenging housing market, and the challenges faced by families involved in the child welfare system, require staff expertise in locating suitable rental property. Housing navigators work with landlords to support and advocate for potential tenants who may have a barriered rental record with evictions, a troubled credit history or other issues in obtaining housing. The attached professional services agreement with the Yurok Tribe will enable YHHS to continue funding a Bringing Families Home housing navigator and hire two additional case managers to provide needed case management, social work and housing navigation services that are designed to assist eligible Yurok families with successfully obtaining permanent housing. It should be noted that the attached professional services agreement with the Yurok Tribe comes to Board after the start date thereof due to inadvertent delays that occurred during the contract development process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with the Yurok Tribe has a maximum amount payable of $475,000 for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024. 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 Yurok Tribe in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with the Yurok Tribe have been included in the approved fiscal year 2022-2023 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-508. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with the Yurok Tribe is available through Bringing Families Home Program funding received from the California Department of Social Services.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, improving the health and safety of local communities, providing community-appropriate levels of services and building interjurisdictional and regional cooperation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Social Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached professional services agreement with the Yurok Tribe regarding the provision of case management, social work and housing navigation services to eligible children and families as part of the Bringing Families Home Program. However, this alternative is not recommended, as it will not allow for the provision of additional case management, social work and housing navigation services that are designed to assist eligible Yurok families with successfully obtaining and maintaining permanent housing.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with the Yurok Tribe Regarding the Provision of Case Management, Social Work and Housing Navigation Services to Eligible Children and Families as Part of the Bringing Families Home Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-12, D-13
Meeting of: March 17, 2020; June 15, 2021
File No.: 20-256, 21-524