COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

May 22, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 18, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Steve Cervantes, Director, Office of Housing

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to the Agreement with Shelter Network

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the execution of a First Amendment to the Agreement with Shelter Network. This Amendment increases the contract amount by $475,000 for a total contract obligation of $1,225,000 and extends the term to June 30, 2003.

Background

Shelter Network has provided housing and support services to homeless families in San Mateo County for many years. In 2001, Shelter Network began a project to expand its facility, First Step for Families, at 319-325 Villa Terrace in San Mateo. When completed, the project will include 15 transitional units, 24 emergency units, a child care center, program space, and an outdoor play area. On June 19, 2001, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 64543, pursuant to which the County entered into an agreement with Shelter Network which allocated $750,000 for the expansion of the First Step facility. Of this amount, $250,000 was designated for use of program services and $500,000 to enable Shelter Network to expand its capacity to provide shelter care through the First Step expansion. Under the terms of the Agreement, Shelter Network set aside five of its units for parents with substance abuse problems whose children are dependents of the juvenile courts. Shelter Network also agreed to provide support services to County residents.

The program services are designed to provide safe supported housing for parents who are in successful substance abuse recovery and their children are dependents of the juvenile court. The recovery support enables reunification between parent and child as the parent has adequate drug free housing in which to live and care for the child.

Other services for the parents and children include licensed child care, life skills training, parenting workshops, transportation, access to health services, employment services and other housing related services as needed.

In June 2001 during County budget deliberations for the 2001-2002 Fiscal Year, the Board allocated to the First Step project an additional $350,000 for capital purposes. This amount is from General Funds. Further, in its 2002-2003 budget, the CalWORKS program allocated $125,000 for use by Shelter Network for program services.

Discussion

This Amendment will allow the County to provide Shelter Network with the additional $350,000 allocated by this Board from the General Fund for construction of the First Step project. In addition, the Amendment will increase the contract amount by the $125,000 allocated by the CalWORKS program for program services. In all, the Amendment will increase the total amount payable to Shelter Network under the Agreement by $475,000, for a total of $1,225,000. Also, the Amendment will extend the term of the Agreement to June 30, 2003, and add language requiring Shelter Network to comply with the County's Equal Benefits ordinance.

This Amendment has been reviewed and approved as to form by the County Counsel's Office.

Vision Alignment

This Agreement and the proposed Amendment, are in line with the County's Visioning Goals number 9: Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families and Goal number 6: Children grow up healthy in safe and supportive neighborhoods. This Agreement and the proposed Amendment will allow families who have been successful in substance abuse treatment to have a supportive re-entry into the community and to overcome barriers to recovery and family stability.

Fiscal Impact

The total obligation under the Agreement, as amended, would be $1,225,000. Of this amount, $875,000 has been funded through the CalWORKs program, and $350,000 is from the County's General Fund for the 2001-2002 Fiscal Year.