COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

June 30, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 18, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Health

Gale Bataille, Director of Mental Health Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Shelter Network

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1) Waiving the request for proposals requirement for transitional housing for seriously mentally ill individuals at risk of homelessness;

2) Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an agreement with Shelter Network for transitional housing for the term May 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008, for a maximum obligation of $142,560, and

3) Authorizing the Director of Health to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications not to exceed an aggregate of $25,000 and to make minor changes in the types of services and activities provided under the Agreement.

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 contributes to this commitment and goal by providing transitional housing for this vulnerable population at risk of homelessness.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07
Projected

Percentage of clients who will obtain stable (permanent or transitional) housing upon discharge.

69% *

65%

* FY 2005-06 is the first year that data for this performance measure was collected. For FY 2006-07 the projected percentage was raised from 50% to 65%.

BACKGROUND:

Shelter Network was founded in 1987 to provide a comprehensive coordinated network of housing and social services for homeless residents of the San Francisco Peninsula. Initiated by a broad-based community response to the plight of homeless families and single adults, Shelter Network is a model of community involvement and has become a principal provider of housing and support for Peninsula homeless families and individuals. Mental Health has contracted with Shelter Network since 2003.

Housing resources for seriously mentally ill individuals on fixed incomes are critically scarce in San Mateo County. As a result, many of these individuals are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless.

DISCUSSION:

Shelter Network will provide one fee-for-service transitional bed and three dedicated transitional beds for mentally ill clients at risk of homelessness. Transitional program residents are placed for up to six months. Case management services are also provided which include an initial assessment of fiscal resources, job skills and opportunities, and referrals to other service providers as needed. This component of the housing continuum allows a cost efficient alternative to using more costly emergency services (e.g., Psychiatric Emergency Services and inpatient administrative days).

Mental Health Services is requesting a waiver of the request for proposal (RFP) requirements for this agreement for transitional housing for seriously mentally ill individuals at risk of homelessness. There is a significant and ongoing shortage of transitional residential services available for Mental Health clients; therefore Mental Health Services is willing to contract with all housing service providers who are qualified to provide these services.

The term of the agreement is May 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. The agreement is late due to Mental Health administrative delays. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel and Risk Management. The contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Agreement maximum is $142,560 of which $10,980 has been included in the Mental Health adopted FY 2005-06 budget and $65,700 has been included in the tentatively adopted FY 2006-07 budget. The balance of the contract maximum, $65,880, will cover FY 2007-08 contract costs. Realignment revenue will fund 100%. There is no Net County Cost.