COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

April 26, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 17, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

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 for Benefit Planning Services for Mental Health Social Security Recipients

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of a First Amendment to State Agreement 24695 with the California State Department of Rehabilitation (DR) for benefit planning services for mental health Social Security recipients to reduce the term of the contract from July 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005 to July 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005 and to reduce the amount of the contract by $222,224 for a total Agreement obligation of $267,098.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal (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.

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 the extent to which 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 Supervisors 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. Additionally, the purpose of the Agreement was to apply a rigorous data collection and a 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.

The project funded four unclassified positions to provide benefit planning services and data collection for the Individual Self-Sufficiency Planning Project. On August 31, 2004, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 66888 authorizing a new Agreement with DR to continue benefit planning services through September 30, 2005.

DISCUSSION:

The Department of Rehabilitation wishes to terminate the program effective March 31, 2005 as opposed to September 30, 2005. This program is being terminated early by the Department of Rehabilitation as this program was based on an evaluation and the research has been completed.

The evaluation compared ISSP participant outcomes over a five-year period with a closely matched group receiving only transitional employment services and mental health treatment. At the conclusion of the project it was determined that the ISSP participants had a significantly higher successful employment rate and higher earnings than those of the comparison group receiving only transitional employment services and mental health treatment. The First Amendment to the Agreement will reduce the term of the contract from July 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005 to July 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, and reduce the amount of the contract by $222,224 for a total Agreement obligation of $267,098.

There were four positions funded by this Agreement, two unclassified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I/II (VRC) positions and two unclassified Employment Service Specialist II (ESS). 1 VRC and 2 ESS positions have since fallen under Measure D and were made permanent in March of 2005. The expense of these three positions have been absorbed within the VRS budget for FY 2005-06 and will be used for a new project with Mental Health that will continue benefits planning in San Mateo County. The reimbursement for the cost of these positions is being secured through a Memorandum of Understanding with San Mateo County Mental Health. The remaining VRC position is being absorbed through the State Department of Rehabilitation Cooperative Agreements. Reimbursement for this position will be based on time study.

California State Department of Rehabilitation requires that four (4) originals of the First Amendment be returned to them with original signatures. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the First Amendment as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreement following execution of the First Amendment will be July 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005. The First Amendment reduces funding amounts to provide funding through March 31, 2005 as opposed to September 30, 2005. Following this reduction, the amended Agreement will provide funding for Salaries and Benefits for two unclassified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I/II positions at $130,181, two unclassified Employment Service Specialist II positions at $115,181, travel expenses not to exceed $20,536 and training expenses not to exceed $1,200 for a total funding of $267,098. These positions are fully funded by the SSA through DR and were included in the FY 2004-05 Adopted Budget. There is no Net County Cost.