To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Nick Honey, 565-4343 & Regina de Melo, 565-4346
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Appropriation and Amendment to Expand Housing Services for Families Involved with Child Welfare Services
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Human Services Department Director to execute an amendment to the existing FY 2019-2020 contract with Interfaith Shelter Network to add an additional $200,000 in funding to provide Housing First services to approximately 25 additional families involved with Child Welfare Services through the California State Department of Social Services Bringing Families Home project.
B) Adopt a budget resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the Human Services Department’s FY 2019-2020 budget in the amount of $200,000 to reflect augmented funding for the Bringing Families Home (BFH) project with appropriation effective 11/19/2019 (4/5th Vote Required).
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Executive Summary:
The Human Services Department, Division of Family Youth and Children, requests approval to appropriate funds and increase an existing contract for services in order to provide additional community-based housing support services to families involved with child welfare services. This is possible through the award of $200,000 in new funding from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as part of the Bringing Families Home project. This new funding requires that the contract be amended by a total of $200,000 and that an additional $200,000 in appropriations be added to the Human Services Department budget.
This funding will allow an additional 25 families to receive the case management, housing location, and direct financial assistance that the Interfaith Shelter Network provides to help families obtain and maintain permanent housing. The program is based on a Housing First approach and prioritizes the most vulnerable clients with active child welfare cases. Currently, there are forty eligible families on the waiting list. By having this funding available, a majority of these families will receive critical services to help them secure permanent housing and create a more stable home environment for their children. A match for this funding is provided by the contracted provider, Interfaith Shelter Network, and no General Fund dollars are needed to implement this recommended action.
Discussion:
The Human Services Department (HSD), Division of Family, Youth and Children contracts with a local community-based organization, Interfaith Shelter Network (IFSN), to provide case management, housing location, and subsidy support to families involved with child welfare services using a Housing First model. The program began in 2016 using Realignment and Title IV-E Waiver funding. In FY 2017-2018, HSD received additional funding through a two-year pilot project that the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) funded, entitled Bringing Families Home. Participation in this project allowed HSD to expand the existing program to serve additional families with the same scope of Housing First services. Only families with active child welfare cases in either Family Maintenance or Family Reunification are eligible to receive these services. To date, the program has successfully housed 113 families and maintains a 75% housing retention rate after six months.
The pilot program ended in June 2019. At the time the contract for FY 2019-2020 was finalized with IFSN, only the original $390,000 in Realignment and Waiver funding was budgeted. In August 2019, CDSS awarded HSD another Bringing Families Home allocation in the amount of $200,000 for FY 2019-2020. CDSS requires a $200,000 in-kind contribution, which is provided by IFSN through temporary housing for families participating in the program for up to six months while they complete their search for permanent housing.
This new funding requires that the contract be amended by a total of $200,000 and that an additional $200,000 in appropriations be added to the HSD budget. This funding will allow an additional 25 families to receive the case management, housing location and direct financial assistance that the IFSN provides. Since July 1, 2019 and with the previously approved budget, 48 families are actively participating in case management services and moving towards securing permanent housing; five more families have obtained permanent housing since July 1. Currently, there are forty eligible families on the waiting list. By having this funding available, a majority of these families will receive critical services to help them secure permanent housing and create a more stable home environment for their children.
Prior Board Actions:
June 11, 2019: Board approved the Housing Assistance and Permanency Program Contract with Interfaith Shelter Network for $390,000.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Adopted |
FY20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$390,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$200,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
$590,000 |
0 |
0 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$590,000 |
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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 |
$590,000 |
0 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The additional appropriation of $200,000 will be added to the approved budget of $390,000 for a total of $590,000 in the current FY 2019-2020, which will cover the expanded contract scope with IFSN. There is no county General Fund required. The local, county match required to draw down the state funds will be $200,000 comprised of in-kind contributions (such as rent and CBO payroll cost) and cash of $25,000 sourced from 2011 Realignment revenue. The augmented fund amount will be posted to subsection 24030140 Family, Youth & Children [operations] with General Ledger code 42121 - State Public Assistance Admin. The appropriation will be budgeted to the same subsection but with the expense on G/L code 53012 - Support & Care of Persons.
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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):
N/A
Attachments:
- Budget Resolution
- Amendment
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None