COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

February 12, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 25, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency
Glen H. Brooks, Jr., Director, Central Region

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to the Agreement with California State Department of Rehabilitation and authorizing the Human Services Agency Director to execute future Amendments

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing:

1.

The execution of a First Amendment to the State Agreement 23781 with the California State Department of Rehabilitation (DR) increasing the amount by $69,166, for a total obligation of $432,193 and the term of the Agreement is July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003; and

2.

The Human Services Agency Director to execute future amendments to accept increases in funding or modifications to the Agreement as necessary for the completion of the Individual Self Sufficiency Plan (ISSP).

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. This project is called the Individual Self Sufficiency Plan (ISSP).

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.

On September 11, 2002, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution number 65539 authorizing a new Agreement with DR to continue the research and demonstration 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 the project currently funds will no longer be funded.The four unclassified positions provide benefit planning services and data collection for the Individual Self-Sufficiency Planning Project.

Discussion

This First Amendment adds additional funding to the Agreement for the purpose of adding the position of a Benefits Consultant to the project. The Benefits Consultant will be a work out of class County employee. The Benefits Consultant will provide supportive services necessary for participants of the project to obtain and maintain employment.

California State Department of Rehabilitation requires that three (3) 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

The 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. The First Amendment to the Agreement increases the Agreement by $69,166 to fund one Benefits Consultant position, for a total funding of $432,193. These positions are fully funded by the SSA through DR. There is no Net County Cost.