Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Legal Services for Seniors for $50,000 to provide specialized legal services to Monterey County older adults for the period of contract execution through June 30, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the Agreement, where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($5,000) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Legal Services for Seniors for $50,000 to provide specialized legal services to Monterey County older adults for the period of contract execution through June 30, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the Agreement, where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($5,000) of the original contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This Agreement provides specialized legal services to older adults that have experienced hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will have access to representation related to evictions, landlord disputes, and other issues exacerbated by the sheltering in place requirements.
Legal Services for Seniors is the only non-profit agency that provides free legal services for older adults in Monterey County. They have been a contractor with the Monterey County Department of Social Services (DSS) for more than 20 years as a part of the services provided through the Area Agency on Aging. Similar contracts have been awarded as a result of a successful proposal to provide services through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP #10606) in April 2017. This Agreement is funded through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding; DSS follows purchasing and contracting procedures required by the California Department of Aging that oversees CARES funded programs for older adults.
The Department of Social Services Area Agency on Aging has a separate Legal Services for Seniors Agreement in the amount of $152,607. This Agreement of $50,000 brings the Department total up to $202,607, which is over the contract purchasing approval threshold and therefore the Department is seeking Board approval for this Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
Funding is provided by the Federal CARES Act administered through the California Department of Aging. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for SOC010 are included in the FY 2020-21 Final Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by working towards the goals of improving health and quality of life outcomes by providing legal services to seniors in Monterey County.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Kathleen Murray-Phillips, MA III x3530
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director x4434
Attachment: Legal Services for Seniors Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report