Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Authorize the County of Monterey’s participation in one-time Housing Funds for Whole Person Care Pilots funding opportunity available as a result of AB 74, the Budget Act of 2019 (Chapter 23, Statutes of 2019); and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to submit an application, in the form of a Letter of Interest, for one-time housing funds for Whole Person Care Pilots in the amount of $2,407,786.57 as allocated by the State of California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), for the costs of long-term and short-term housing, such as hotel vouchers and rental subsidies, as well as capital investment for housing projects for Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are mentally ill and are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness; and
c. Should the County receive the funding in the amount of $2,407,786.57, authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to enter into, execute, and deliver any and all agreements and other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to evidence and secure the one-time Housing Funds for Whole Person Care Pilots, the County’s obligations related thereto, and all amendments thereto, subject to review and approval by County Counsel and County Auditor-Controller.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors Adopt Resolution to:
a. Authorize the County of Monterey’s participation in one-time Housing Funds for Whole Person Care Pilots funding opportunity available as a result of AB 74, the Budget Act of 2019 (Chapter 23, Statutes of 2019); and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to submit an application, in the form of a Letter of Interest, for one-time housing funds for Whole Person Care Pilots in the amount of $2,407,786.57 as allocated by the State of California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), for the costs of long-term and short-term housing, such as hotel vouchers and rental subsidies, as well as capital investment for housing projects for Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are mentally ill and are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness; and
c. Should the County receive the funding in the amount of $2,407,786.57, authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to enter into, execute, and deliver any and all agreements and other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to evidence and secure the one-time Housing Funds for Whole Person Care Pilots, the County’s obligations related thereto, and all amendments thereto, subject to review and approval by County Counsel and County Auditor-Controller.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Whole Person Care (WPC) Pilot is a five-year program conducted by the Health Department of the County of Monterey and authorized under California’s Medi-Cal 2020 waiver to coordinate physical health, behavioral health, and social services for homeless Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are high users of hospital systems and are at risk for continued poor health outcomes.
The 2019-20 California Governor’s Budget invests $100 million State General Fund (one-time with multi-year spending authority through June 30, 2025) for active Whole Person Care (WPC) Pilot programs that provide housing services. The CHCS’s allocation to Monterey County of these funds, based on the County’s prevalence of homelessness, cost of living, prevalence of individuals who are mentally ill and are experiencing homelessness, and the County’s Whole Person Care Pilot Program performance, is $2,407,786.57.
The County must submit a Letter of Interest that will serve as the County’s application to DHCS indicating that the Pilot intends to use the funds for the intended purposes of the Housing Funds for Whole Person Care Pilots. Following DHCS’s final selection of successful applicants, the signed Board of Supervisors Resolution will serve as the final agreement. The County may apply one time for funds on or before September 23, 2019, with multi-year spending authority through June 30, 2025. Notification of the State’s final decision will be provided to the County by September 30, 2019, with funding fully processed and released to the approved applicants by December 30, 2019.
The Health Department recommends this funding allocation be layered on received funds resulting from County’s pending No Place Like Home award as decided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau is currently leading the effort to apply for No Place Like Home funds to acquire, design, construct, rehabilitate, or preserve permanent supportive housing for persons who are experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness, or who are at risk of chronic homelessness, and who are in need of mental health services. The first phase of the No Place Like Home funding application was the updating of the County’s Continuum of Care’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, otherwise known as Lead Me Home.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department Strategic Plan initiatives: 1. Empower the community to improve health; and 2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office Housing Program Manager has been consulted in this recommendation. County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved as to legal form and fiscal provisions respectively.
FINANCING:
Adoption of this Resolution will allow the County to apply for and accept one-time housing funds for Whole Person Care Pilots in the amount of $2,407,786.57 as allocated by the State of California Department of Health Care Services.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
X Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Patricia Zerounian, Management Analyst III, x4583
Approved by: Elsa M. Jimenez, Director of Health, x4526
Attachments:
Resolution is on file with the Clerk of the Board
Letter of Interest is on file with the Clerk of the Board