Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services or designee to accept the Medi-Cal Member Outreach and Retention Grant (MOR) Award in the amount of $85,000 funded by the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced-San Benito-Mariposa Managed Medical Care Commission; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services or designee to sign a funding agreement and related amendments to the agreement with Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced-San Benito-Mariposa Managed Medical Care Commission, operating as Central California Alliance for Health, for Medi-Cal Member Outreach and Retention for the period of 14 months after Grant Effective Date, in the amount of $85,000 or such amount available during the term; and
c. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget, Community Programs, Fund 001, Appropriation Unit SOC004, increasing appropriations and estimated revenues by $63,750 (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services or designee to accept the Medi-Cal Member Outreach and Retention Grant (MOR) Award in the amount of $85,000 funded by the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced-San Benito-Mariposa Managed Medical Care Commission; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services or designee to sign a funding agreement and related amendments to the agreement with Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced-San Benito-Mariposa Managed Medical Care Commission, operating as Central California Alliance for Health, for Medi-Cal Member Outreach and Retention for the period of fourteen (14) months after Grant Effective Date, in the amount of $85,000 or such amount available during the term; and.
c. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget, Community Programs, Fund 001, Appropriation Unit SOC004, increasing appropriations and estimated revenues by $63,750 (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY:
The purpose of the award is funding a partnership between Monterey County Social Services and the Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance) to support community-based efforts to keep Alliance Medi-Cal members enrolled in Medi-Cal by funding training and assistance for community-based organizations (CBOs) who are assisting Medi-Cal members in completing their Medi-Cal renewal process.
DISCUSSION:
Recent federal Medicaid policy changes under H.R. 1 have changed requirements for Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal (also known as redetermination) for Medi-Cal members. These changes create a higher risk of coverage loss due to missed paperwork, address changes, language barriers or confusion about renewal requirements. The Medi-Cal Member Outreach and Retention (MOR) Program supports community-based efforts to keep Alliance Medi-Cal members enrolled by funding outreach, education, and application or redetermination assistance in the Alliance's five-county service area. The goals for the Medi-Cal Member Outreach and Retention Program are to increase Medi-Cal member awareness about requirements to maintain Medi-Cal coverage, strengthen capacity of community-based organizations to assist Medi-Cal members in renewing and maintaining Medi-Cal enrollment (also known as redetermination), and reduce avoidable disenrollment among Medi-Cal members.
Due to the amount and one-time nature of this funding, Social Services intends to utilize these funds towards training CBOs and to promote Alliance-approved Medi-Cal renewal communications materials and/or messaging via Social Service’s Outreach unit.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to form.
FINANCING:
The Department was awarded a grant of $85,000 funded by Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced-San Benito-Mariposa Managed Medical Care Commission. This agreement was not included in the Department’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget as the award was not announced at that time. The Department is requesting to increase estimated appropriations and revenues of $63,750 in the Community Programs Fund 001, Unit SOC004 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget. There are no match requirements with approval of this grant and no effect on the existing General Fund Contributions to the Department. The Department will return to the Board next fiscal year to appropriate the remaining unused funds in FY 2026-27.
If executed, DSS will be awarded $63,750, with the remaining 25% to be disbursed within 20 days of the final report. Funds must be fully spent within 14 months of the Grant Effective Date.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This agreement correlates to the Well-Being and Quality of Life Strategic Plan Goal adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing training to CBOs who are assisting Medi-Cal members in completing their Medi-Cal renewal process to ensure they remain enrolled and avoid gaps in coverage.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
This agreement correlates to the Well-Being and Quality of Life Strategic Plan Goal adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing training to CBOs who are assisting Medi-Cal members in completing their Medi-Cal renewal process to ensure they remain enrolled and avoid gaps in coverage.
_X__Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Celeste Armijo, Management Analyst III, x5758
Approved by: Roderick W. Franks, Director, x4430
Attachments: Agreement
Resolution
The proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.