COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

December 20, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 11, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

N/A

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths vote

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Health Services
Lisa L. Mancini, Director of Aging and Adult Services

SUBJECT:

Approval of an Appropriation Transfer Request for the grant awarded to Aging and Adult Services by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Aging

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing $43,379 in federal grant funding

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal(s): 8. Help vulnerable people - the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others - achieve a better quality of life.

This ATR will contribute to this goal by funding part of the development costs of a uniform assessment tool that will be integrated with Aging and Adult Services’ new case management software application, the Q Continuum. This uniform assessment tool will assist Aging and Adult Services to provide more integrated and consistent care to clients.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05 Projected

A single uniform assessment tool will be used in the division’s case management programs. (MSSP, Linkages, AIDS Case Management, IHSS and Adult Protective Services).

3 of 5 programs will use the same uniform assessment tool for all clients by 12/31/05

BACKGROUND:

The Long Term Supportive Services Project (LTSSP) in San Mateo County has existed for over a decade to promote the integration of long-term care services. Such integration would require a seamless system of service delivery for clients. AAS has made significant strides towards an integrated model of service delivery, and a seamless continuum of care for its clients despite categorical funding restrictions. In September 2003, legislation was passed making San Mateo County California’s pilot for the implementation of a uniform assessment tool for home and community-based services, moving us closer toward our goal of an integrated system of care.

In August 2004, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Administration on Aging (AoA) announced that the Aging Services Network Integrated Care Management Grants Program would fund up to 20 projects. These projects were expected to receive one-year grants to implement innovative models and approaches to long-term care. AAS was awarded one of these grants to fund the development and implementation of a uniform assessment tool that will be integrated with a new case management software application, the Q Continuum.

The grant, in the amount of $43,379, was awarded by DHHS on September 28, 2004. The County Manager approved the grant on October 12, 2004. The grant is a cooperative agreement in which AAS is working collaboratively with AoA to develop and refine a project plan and shared innovations and best practices with the other grantees.

DISCUSSION:

Approval of this ATR and accepting the grant funds will pay part of the costs for the development of a uniform assessment tool that incorporates an internationally tested tool for assessment and care planning into the division’s new case management software application. The implementation of a uniform assessment tool offers the opportunity to consolidate data management and other aspects of program delivery necessary to provide a single system of care for our target population.

Case management is at the core of the division. Workers in each of the division’s programs follow the principles of case management despite the constraints of their individual program regulations. Providing workers with the tools to be effective case managers will be fundamental to achieving program and service integration.

The implementation of the uniform assessment tool across the division is the first step in achieving shared, consistent data throughout the division, which will enhance the division’s ability to integrate the system of case management provided by AAS.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the grant is October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005. The total award is $43,379. There is no Net County Cost as a result of this action.