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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Human Services Agency
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DATE:
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August 12, 2004
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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August 31, 2004
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency
Glen H. Brooks, Jr., Director, Central Region
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SUBJECT:
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Agreement with California State Department of Rehabilitation for Benefit Planning Services for Mental Health Social Security Recipients
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Recommendation
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of the State Agreement 24695 with the California State Department of Rehabilitation (DR) in the amount of $489,322 for July 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005.
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Background
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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.
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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.
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The project funds four unclassified positions to provide benefit planning services and data collection for the Individual Self-Sufficiency Planning Project.
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Discussion
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This new Agreement from the Department of Rehabilitation will continue the project. The project mission is to apply a rigorous data collection and research component to active cases in order to track the number of clients who return to work and cost savings to the Social Security Trust Fund.
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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.
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Performance Measures
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Performance Measures
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Actual
FY 2003-04
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Projected
FY 2004-05
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Clients obtaining employment
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68
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70
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Recipients whose benefits were reduced or eliminated due to living wage
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52
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58
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Vision Alignment
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The Agreement with the California State Department of Rehabilitation keeps the commitment of: Ensure 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.
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Fiscal Impact
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The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005. This Agreement provides funding for Salaries and Benefits for two unclassified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I/II positions at $252,776, two unclassified Employment Service Specialist II positions at $216,010 and travel expenses not to exceed $20,536 for a total funding of $489,322. These positions are fully funded by the SSA through DR and are included in the FY 2004-05 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost.
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