COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

 

DATE:

August 28, 2002

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 10, 2002

   
 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Agreement with California State Department of Rehabilitation for Benefit Planning Services for Mental Health Social Security Recipients

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of the State Agreement 23781 with the California State Department of Rehabilitation (DR) in the amount of $363,027 for July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003.

 

Background

Effective January 1, 1999, DR awarded funds from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to develop a five-year research and demonstration project to document to what extent the provision of education and support around work incentive issues might lead to reduction or elimination of Social Security benefits to recipients. Waivers have been authorized by SSA for participants in this project. Participants are provided with guidance in utilizing work incentives and the new waivers to realize employment goals and achieve increased levels of self-sufficiency.

 

On June 19, 2001, the Board of Supervisor adopted Resolution number 64539 authorizing an Agreement with DR to provide enhanced benefit planning services for mental health consumers receiving Social Security benefits. This service helps individuals with severe psychiatric disabilities maintain employment and increase self- sufficiency.

 

The project funds, four unclassified positions to provide benefit planning services and data collection for the Individual Self-Sufficiency Planning Project.

 

Discussion

This Agreement will continue the project into the fourth year of the approved five-year funding plan, which is anticipated to continue through September 30, 2003. The project mission is to apply a rigorous data collection and research component to 100 active cases in order to track the number of clients who return to work and cost savings to the Social Security Trust Fund. An evaluation of the costs versus benefits of these services will be conducted during and at the end of the five-year demonstration project. If the project is successful and merits continuation, then potential funding streams may be researched to continue services when the grant ends. Otherwise, the four unclassified positions will no longer be funded.

 

California State Department of Rehabilitation requires that four (4) Agreements be returned to them with original signatures.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to form.

 

Performance Measures

 

Performance Measures

Actual

FY 2001-02

Projected

FY 2002-03

Clients obtaining employment

66

90

Recipients whose benefits were reduced or eliminated due to living wage

50

65

 

Vision Alignment

The Agreement with the California State Department of Rehabilitation keeps the commitment of: Ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number 8. Help vulnerable people-the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others - achieve a better quality of life. The Agreement with the California State Department of Rehabilitation contributes to this commitment and goal since it keeps mental health consumers who receive Social Security Benefits employed, and provides enhanced benefits planning services to those consumers who are unemployed, saving Social Security funds and increasing self-sufficiency.

 

Fiscal Impact

This Agreement provides funding for Salaries and Benefits for two unclassified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I/II positions at $208,079 and two unclassified Employment Service Specialist II positions at $154,948 for a total funding of $363,027. These positions are fully funded by the SSA through DR. There is no Net County Cost.