Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 5010-588 with the Alliance on Aging to provide Outreach, Ombudsman, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy (HICAP) and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers (MIPPA) services for older adults adding $108,650 for a new contract total of $645,125, with no change to the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($64,513) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $709,638.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 5010-588 with the Alliance on Aging to provide Outreach, Ombudsman, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers (MIPPA) services for older adults adding $108,650 for a new contract total of $645,125, with no change to the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($64,513) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $709,638.
SUMMARY:
This Amendment provides additional funding to support the hiring of an additional paid HICAP Counselor with funds from HICAP Modernization and the ongoing funding allocation for MIPPA for the period of September 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The original agreement, awarded to the Alliance on Aging through RFP #10933 in May 2024, aligns with the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965. Administered by the County of Monterey Department of Social Services through the Area Agency on Aging, the program supports community-based services (Outreach, Benefits Check-up, Ombudsman for Long Term Care, Medicare Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA services for older adults (aged 60 and over), individuals with disabilities, and caregivers that promote independence and improve quality of life for vulnerable residents across Monterey County.
DISCUSSION:
This Agreement will provide the following services:
• Outreach: Provides bilingual and bicultural services to educate and assist seniors in accessing and enrolling in available programs.
• Ombudsman: Protects the rights and well-being of elderly residents in Skilled Nursing and licensed residential care facilities by investigating complaints, facilitating resolutions, monitoring care conditions, and training program volunteers.
• Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP): Delivers comprehensive support to seniors in understanding, applying for, and maintaining Medicare coverage. This amendment adds $59,453 in HICAP Modernization funds to hire an additional counselor for the HICAP Program.
• Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA): Expands outreach to Medicare beneficiaries to promote awareness of preventive, wellness, and low-income benefits; assists with applications for Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs); and conducts wellness and disease prevention education. This amendment adds $49,197 in ongoing MIPPA-SHIP, MIPPA-AAA, and MIPPA-ADRC funds for the period of September 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to form, as has the Auditor-Controller’s Office as to financial provisions.
FINANCING:
Funding is provided by the Older Americans Act. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in the Area Agency on Aging 1001-501010-SOC107 are included in the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This Agreement aligns with the Well-Being and Quality of Life Strategic Plan Goal adopted by the Board of Supervisors by supporting programs that enhance services promoting the health, independence, well-being, and quality of life of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers through coordinated efforts across Monterey County.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
_X _ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Thom De La Cruz, Management Analyst, x3391
Approved by: Roderick Franks, Director, x4430
Attachment: Amendment No. 1
Original Agreement EXECUTED
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.