COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

 

DATE:

May 12, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 10, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Steve Cervantes, Director, Housing

SUBJECT:

Second Amendment to the Agreement with Shelter Network for the Transitional Housing for Families involved in the Juvenile Court Dependency Program and First Amendment to the Agreement with Shelter Network for the Motel Voucher Program

 

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing:

    1. Second Amendment to the Agreement with Shelter Network for the Transitional Housing for Families involved in Juvenile Court Dependency Program for FY 2002-03; and

    2. First Amendment to the Agreement with Shelter Network for the Motel Voucher Program for FY 2002-03.

 

Background

During the FY 2001-02, the Human Services Agency and Shelter Network developed two pilot programs into two separate Agreements, Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Court Dependency Program and the Motel Voucher Program.

The Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Dependency Program was designed to provide safe supported housing for parents who are in successful substance abuse recovery programs and their children are dependents of the court. The transitional housing with support services is a crucial element for some families to remain or reunite with their children.

The objective of the Motel Voucher Program is to identify and assist families at the first moment of homelessness. The program goals are to reduce the length of homelessness and to reduce the number of incidents of homelessness. Shelter Network makes arrangements for families to enter a shelter immediately if space is available or find appropriate space in a motel until a shelter opening occurs. Case Management services focus on skill building that enable families to secure and maintain stable housing. Services begin at the point of referral and continue until the family secures permanent housing.

On June 19, 2001, the Board of Supervisors approved an Agreement, Resolution #64543 with Shelter Network for the capacity enhancement of First Step Shelter for Families to provide Transitional Housing for Families in recovery who are involved with the Juvenile Dependency Program.

On June 18, 2002, the Board of Supervisors approved a First Amendment, Resolution #65358 with Shelter Network to extend the term and add additional funds to the Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Court Dependency program services.

On September 10, 2002, the Board of Supervisors approved an Agreement, Resolution #65540 with Shelter Network for the Motel Voucher Program.

 

Discussion

This FY 2002-03, the Motel Voucher Program and the Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Court Dependency Program were processed under two separate Agreements. In the FY 2003-04 these two Agreements will be combined under a single new Agreement with the Housing Division, to ensure continuity of services to the families and coordinated monitoring of the two components of contracted services.

These amendments are for the purpose of transferring funds from one program to the other and both Programs will expire on June 30, 2003.

The Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Court Dependency program was not being utilized to its capacity as originally designed. The eligibility criteria has been changed to include other high risk special needs families whose lack of stable housing is a result of or can not be addressed due to their special needs issues. The number of special needs families participating in supportive transitional housing will be six. These high need families will receive stable transitional housing with the support services necessary to obtain permanent housing. Due to the underutilization in the first half of the year, there are unused funds in this Agreement. The unused funds of $90,000 will be used in the Motel Voucher Program.

The Motel Voucher Program has grown from serving an estimated 45 families to serving 170 families through February 2003 and the need has exceeded expectations. The program expects to serve a total of 260 families for the FY 2002-03. The program has been successful in reducing the amount of time that families are homeless and moving families into stable housing. The increased utilization of the program has increased the voucher expenditures.

This Agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the County Counsel's Office. Risk Management has reviewed and approved the Contractor's insurance coverage.

 

Vision Alignment

The Agreement with the Shelter Network keeps the commitment of: Offering a full range of housing choices and goal number 9: Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families. The Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal through the Shelter Network by providing housing to families at the first instance of homelessness and providing support services that lead to stable housing.

 

Fiscal Impact

The Second Amendment for the Shelter Network Agreement decreases funds by $90,000 for the Transitional Housing for Families involved in Juvenile Court Dependency Program for the term June 1, 2001 through June 30, 2003. The total amended obligation under this Agreement is $1,135,000, of which, $160,000 is budgeted for the Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Dependency Program in the Children and Family Services FY 2002-03 budget.  This Agreement is funded 100% through CalWORKs Funds.  There is no Net County Cost associated with the approval of this amendment.

The First Amendment for the Shelter Network Agreement increases funds by $90,000 for the Motel Voucher Program for the term July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003. The total amended obligation under this Agreement is $315,000. Funds are budgeted in the Children and Family Services Budget for FY 2002-03. Of the $315,000, $140,000 is funded through CalWORKs Funds, $87,500 is funded through Child Welfare Services Funds and $87,500 is Net County Cost.  There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the approval of this amendment.