To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Angela Struckmann 707-565-5800, Paul Dunaway 707-565-5900
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Human Services Department Contracts with Legal Aid of Sonoma County and Council on Aging
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Director of the Human Services Department to execute a contract amendment with Legal Aid of Sonoma County for legal services to older and dependent adult victims of crime in the Adult Protective Services program for the period ending June 30, 2025 increasing the amount by $200,000 for a new not to exceed amount of $263,000.
B) Authorize the Director of the Human Services Department to execute a contract agreement with Council on Aging for Elder Victims of Crim Advocacy and Care Coordination for the period ending June 30, 2025 for a not to exceed amount of $300,000.
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Executive Summary:
During the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget hearings in June of 2024, the Board approved one-time funding of $300,000 from the general fund to the Human Services Department to fund contracted services for an elder advocate and an elder law attorney to provide advocacy, community coordination, care coordination and legal assistance for elder and dependent adult victims of crime for FY 2024-2025. Services will be provided through a contract with Legal Aid of Sonoma and the Council on Aging.
Discussion:
Beginning in 2017, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) XE grant helped elder and dependent adults obtain safety and shelter. Although the grant ended in 2022, demand for services and supports continues to be high and is anticipated to increase due to both demographic changes in the aging population and an increase in public awareness of services available to victims of elder abuse. California’s over-60 population is projected to diversify and grow faster than any other age group, increasing from 16% of the population in 2010 to 25% by 2030. Older adults aged 60+ currently account for 27% of Sonoma County’s population, a number that is projected to increase to 33% by 2030. Continued funding is needed to address the unique needs of Sonoma County’s aging population.
The Human Services Department (HSD) Adult & Aging Division has many relationships in place with community organizations to serve elder and dependent adult victims of crime. Funds will be used to support the goal of increasing access to services for elder and dependent adult victims of crime in Sonoma County by achieving the following objectives:
1. Providing contracted case management, outreach, and advocacy to victims through on-site services at the Family Justice Center (FJC)
2. Providing contracted legal services for victims through an on-site Legal Aid attorney and assistant
3. Providing comprehensive health, housing, mental health, and other services to victims through partners at the FJC and referrals to other organizations
4. Coordinating and leveraging existing community services for elders and dependent adults to improve and expand services to meet the needs of a growing older adult population
Through budget requests for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/2025, the Board approved funding for two community-based organizations - Council on Aging and Legal Aid. HSD has existing contracts with both organizations and will amend or renew those contracts for the following services:
• Council on Aging - An elder advocate will support victims of elder and dependent adult abuse through case management services.
• Legal Aid of Sonoma County - An elder law attorney will provide safety-based legal services to victims of abuse.
These services strengthen the safety net of community providers who serve elder and dependent adults and provide wrap-around support services for victims of elder and dependent adult abuse, which is vital to the health and safety of these vulnerable populations.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
06.14.2024 Adopted a resolution approving the FY 2024-2025 budget
07.23.2023 Adopted a resolution to accept funding for the VOCA XE grant
02.08.2022 Adopted a resolution to accept funding for the VOCA XE grant
05.11.2021 Adopted a resolution to accept funding for the VOCA XE grant
04.28.2020 Authorized HSD to execute VOCA XE contracts with Senior Advocacy Services and Legal Aid of Sonoma County
09.25.2018 Adopted a Resolution to accept funding for the VOCA XE and VOCA KE Specialized Emergency Housing
08.14.2018 Authorized the Director of HSD to execute agreements for VOCA grant funds with Council on Aging
04.17.2018 Approved new Cal OES VOCA grant funding for housing and case management services
01.24.2017 Authorized the director of HSD to sign and execute agreements for VOCA grant funds
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$300,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$300,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
$300,000 |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$300,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
HSD is not requesting to increase FY 2024-25 appropriations. Funding of $300,000 was approved in the FY 2024-25 budget using one-time General Fund balance.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
1. Contract with Council on Aging
2. Contract Amendment - Legal Aid of Sonoma County
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None