COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

 

DATE:

May 15, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 6, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

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

   

SUBJECT:

Agreement No. HI-0607-08 with the California Department of Aging

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing:

1.

The execution of Agreement No. HI-0607-08 with the California Department of Aging for the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 in the amount of $244,284; and

2.

The Director of the Health Department to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications not to exceed $25,000

 

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.

 

Funds for HICAP contribute to this commitment and goal by providing clients with objective health insurance counseling, advocacy and assistance. The Performance Measure below shows the percent of stakeholder survey respondents indicating they have benefited from services provided through Aging and Adult Services, which includes HICAP.

 

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Percent of survey respondents who indicated: Their personal life has improved as a result of the services they received

86%

97%

Percent of survey respondents who indicated: They gained useful knowledge through the presentation, trainings, conferences and resources provided by Aging and Adult Services

100%

97%

 

BACKGROUND:

Every four years, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is required to submit a Planning and Service Area Plan for aging services to the California Department of Aging (CDA). The state also requires that counties submit annual updates identifying revised goals and objectives for the coming fiscal year in order to claim the allotted Older Americans Act (OAA) and HICAP funds, which are determined through a statewide funding formula. The Area Plan provides a profile of the County’s senior population, identifies activities to improve and expand existing services as well as to develop new programs designed to address current countywide needs, and recommends services to be funded with San Mateo County’s OAA and HICAP allocation.

 

On July 12, 2005, your Board approved the Strategic Plan for Services for Older Persons and Adults with Disabilities for 2005-09. This plan, together with the annual budget, fulfills CDA’s requirements and generates contracts from CDA for funding of various OAA and other state-funded grant programs including HICAP.

 

DISCUSSION:

Aging and Adult Services (AAS) contracts with a community-based organization to provide HICAP, a volunteer-supported program that provides three basic services: community education, lay counseling and advocacy related to Medicare. HICAP is an integral component of California’s community-based long-term care system. Medicare beneficiaries and those under 65 who are about to become eligible for Medicare or who are disabled and on Medicare are eligible for HICAP services. Locally, the program is designed to carry out goals and objectives of the Area Agency on Aging Plan related to advocacy and health care. In 2006-07 the services provided by HICAP will continue to support the community’s needs related to Medicare Part D, the New Prescription Drug Benefit. Medicare Part D has resulted in a dramatic increase in the need for assistance with understanding the variety of options available as individuals transition to Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. The HICAP grant includes funding which established additional staffing in 2005-06 and will continue through 2006-07. The additional staffing helps to meet the need for increased HICAP services as a result of Medicare Part D.

 

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this agreement is July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Execution of this agreement with CDA allows the County to claim funding for HICAP for FY 2006-2007. The total grant amount is $244,284. Revenues and expenses related to this agreement are included in Aging and Adult Services’ recommended budget for FY 2006-07. There is no impact on the County General Fund as a result of this action.