To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with Partnership HealthPlan of California Regarding Implementation of the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program in Humboldt County
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with Partnership HealthPlan of California regarding implementation of the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program in Humboldt County for the period of Feb. 7, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2027;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute and submit any and all amendments to the attached memorandum of understanding with Partnership HealthPlan of California, and any other applications, agreements, amendments, certifications, attestations and documents required or deemed necessary for the Department of Health and Human Services to secure funding made available through the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit with one fully executed certified copy of the Board Order related to this item.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160-520)
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) developed a Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Spending Plan detailing a series of initiatives intended to enhance, expand and strengthen the provision of HCBS in California. The Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP) aims to improve health outcomes and access to whole person care services by addressing housing insecurity and instability as social determinants of health for the Medi-Cal population. DHCS will award funds to Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCP), including the only MCP for Humboldt County, Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC). PHC has decided to enter into memorandums of understanding with local entities in their service area to administer these funds rather than administering the funds themselves.
The net allocation potentially available to Humboldt County is $10,380,186. Disbursements will be issued in a series of four payments. These payments will be earned based on successful achievement of the program measures outlined in the attached memorandum of understanding with PHC, as determined by DHCS. Disbursement amounts are dependent on DHCS’ final approval of funding and will be calculated and paid once DHCS formally awards funds to PHC. PHC and the County of Humboldt will be evaluated based on the quality of the local homeless plan components submitted, including the landscape analysis, funding availability assessment and program measures and strategies. The local homeless plan that will be used for HHIP was presented to your Board on June 14, 2022 to comply with Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round Three requirements. Each program measure will either be earned in full, or not earned.
In order to be eligible for funding, PHC and the Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition, the local homeless Continuum of Care, in partnership with the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) collaborated to develop a homelessness investment plan which is included as Attachment C in the attached memorandum of understanding with PHC. PHC and DHHS acknowledge that, over time, there may need to be changes in the allocations, timing or manner of the use of these funds. These changes shall be the subject of collaborative discussions among the parties and adopted by mutual agreement.
As a condition of receiving HHIP funding, DHHS will be required to administer the services detailed in Attachment C, in a manner consistent with the HHIP program guidance:
• To prevent or address the needs of persons experiencing homelessness
• To facilitate the reduction/elimination of homelessness by addressing the needs of those experiencing homelessness and linking them to housing services
• To work collaboratively with PHC and other key partners including:
o Working to ensure that PHC members are linked to health care and housing services
o Helping to strengthen data collection and data sharing to better inform collective housing efforts
o Seeking to achieve the targets and goals established in the HHIP program.
If the Board authorizes DHHS to enter into the attached memorandum of understanding with PHC, DHHS intends to issue a request for proposals seeking providers to carry out homeless assistance projects that will help achieve HHIP goals and objectives. DHHS may also allocate a portion of the funds to existing DHHS operated homeless assistance programs. All funds must be expended by Dec. 31, 2027.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Revenue and expenditure appropriations related to the allocations of HHIP funding have been included in the approved fiscal year 2022-2023 budget for DHHS - Social Services HOME budget unit 1160-520. As a result, the recommended actions 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 and providing community- appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with Partnership HealthPlan of California Regarding Implementation of the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program in Humboldt County
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: K-1
Meeting of: 6/14/2022
File No.: 22-749