Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) helps San Mateo County residents who have employment barriers and disabilities and who receive Social Security or General Assistance, attain their maximum vocational potential through counseling, case management, assessment, and vocational training. VRS offers a comprehensive set of services including: Financial Empowerment Project (FEP) and Advocacy Assistance, job development / job placement / job coaching, vocational adjustment in real-work settings, and provides opportunities to learn new skills and augment their income through valuable work/training experiences in placements at the Catering Connection, the VRS Café at the Hall of Justice, the WorkCenter, and other community partners. VRS’ mission is to empower people to attain their employment goals and strives to enhance self esteem and dignity and create opportunities for self-sufficiency.
The VRS Café at the Hall of Justice opened in October of 2006. Since the opening of the café, approximately 40 clients have received food services training at this location, which provided them with skills that helped move them into jobs in the community and toward greater self sufficiency. With the revitalization of the downtown Redwood City area and the monthly closure of the court, which reduced foot traffic to the Cafe, the VRS Café has endured extensive competition and a reduction to its customer base. The occupants at County Center have been surveyed three times, most recently in Feb 2010 and we found that they preferred leaving the site for their meals. Due to the reduced demand and resulting reduction in revenue, the increasing county contribution is no longer sustainable.
HSA is proposing to close the VRS Café effective July 1, 2010. This closure will result in the deletion of four (4) positions total: three (3) filled positions, a Food Services Worker who serves as the primary cook and trains VRS clients, a Utility Worker who focuses on food production, and an Employment Services Specialist in our Financial Empowerment Program who assists clients in managing their financial resources. In addition, one (1) position vacated by retirement, a Rehabilitation Production Supervisor, will be deleted. HSA has been working closely with the Human Resources Department and have successfully found placement for the three filled employee positions.
There are five (5) VRS clients whose current work/training assignments are at the VRS Café. These clients are currently working with their job developers to find work/training assignments in the community or they may opt for an assignment at the WorkCenter.
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The three filled positions and one vacant position are being deleted to address the VRS structural deficit that has required the use of $485,920 in agency Fund Balance support. Fund Balance support was appropriated in FY 2009-10 to provide VRS with sufficient time to develop a sustainable business model to address the ongoing structural budget deficit within the program.
Of the $8.3 million received in revenue resource for VRS, HSA currently provides $972,899 in General Fund (NCC) support in addition to $485,920 in agency Fund Balance. Please see “Exhibit A: VRS Revenue Sources”. VRS has 40 FTEs and served 1,600 clients over the last six months.
Over the last five (5) fiscal years, the Net County Cost to fund the VRS program has significantly increased from $460,000 in FY 06-07 to over $1.2 million recommended for FY 10-11. In the coming months, senior leadership and staff will be working together to realign the VRS business model with available resources.
Acceptance of this report contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by reducing unsustainable employment program models in order ensure long-term program support for San Mateo County residents with disabilities and barriers to employment.
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As part of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services FY 2010-11 Recommended Budget, there is a total appropriation reduction of $733,082; which includes $338,337 in salaries and benefits and $394,745 in operational services and supplies. With the closure of the VRS Café, $200,000 in cafe revenue is eliminated resulting in a Net County Cost reduction of $533,082. The proposed reduction addresses the budget gap at VRS as the one-time Fund Balance support of $485,920 is discontinued.
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