COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

May 24, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 8, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Beverly Beasley Johnson, J.D., Director, Human Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the Agreement with Public Consulting Group, Inc.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Public Consulting Group, Inc. to provide Social Security Income /Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) benefit enrollment, appeal and maintenance services for youth receiving Foster Care and Kinship services, extending the term by one (1) year to June 30, 2011, increasing the amount by $56,340 to $121,340, $39,438 is Net County Cost.

BACKGROUND:

On June 3, 2009, the County Manager’s Office approved Agreement Number 74400-09-C276 with Public Consulting Group, Inc in the amount of $65,000 for Social Security Income /Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) benefit enrollment.

In 2006, California Assembly Bill (AB) 1633 (Chapter 641, Statutes of 2006) made several changes to the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) Program regarding educational requirements for 18-year old foster youth and receipt of Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP). AB 1633 requires counties to determine whether foster children are currently in receipt of SSI/SSP or Social Security benefits at the time of the initial AFDC-FC eligibility determination. If the child is eligible, the county has a responsibility to apply to the Social Security Administration to become the child’s representative payee, if appropriate. AB 1633 further mandates that counties shall inform youth who are approaching their 18^th birthday about on-going requirements for the SSI/SSP program, and provide information about continuing disability as an adult.

The primary purpose of AB 1633 is to make every effort to get federal SSI and Social Security, Retirement, Survivor, or Disability Insurance (RSDI) benefits. Historically, the Agency has not maintained a viable process for establishing benefits for this vulnerable youth population.

DISCUSSION:

This Amendment with Public Consulting Group is to continue assessing Child Welfare Services and Juvenile Probation youth placed in out-of-home care for eligibility of state and federal benefits. Approval of this Amendment will result in increased County revenue for FY 2010-11. Based on both approved and pending claims, it is anticipated the County will be gaining approximately $400,000 in revenues in the next fiscal year. The County Manager’s Office waived the Request for Proposal and it is in the best interest of the County to enter into an Agreement with Public Consulting Group, Inc. as sole source provider as they offer a unique service to governmental and public agencies that is not offered through general practitioners who provide advocacy or representation for pursuit of programs through Social Security Administration.

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. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Amendment and Resolution as to form and Risk Management has approved the Contractor’s Insurance.

Approval of this Amendment contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by improving safety, permanency and well-being outcomes for our County’s most vulnerable youth population. It is expected that by finding potential sources of financial support for youth, reunification processes may experience less delay, and higher SSI rates may help caregivers and/or parents meet the special needs a child may have.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

FY 2010-11
Projected

Percent of foster care and kinship youth identified as potentially eligible who will receive SSI aid.

64

65

67

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Term of the Agreement is June 8, 2009 through June 30, 2011. The Agreement is increased by $56,340 for a total obligation of $121,340. The increased amount of $56,340 is funded $16,902 through state and federal funds and $39,438 is Net County Cost. This appropriation has been included in the FY 2010-11 Recommended Level Budget.