Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to execute an agreement with the University Corporation at Monterey Bay for $250,236 effective January 5, 2021 through June 30, 2021 to implement and operate a county-wide homeless outreach and encampment response team with modifications to the County’s standard indemnification provisions; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to (3) amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($25,023) 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 execute an agreement with the University Corporation at Monterey Bay for $250,236 effective January 5, 2021 through June 30, 2021 to implement and operate a county-wide homeless outreach and encampment response team with modifications to the County’s standard indemnification provisions; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to (3) amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($25,023) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this agreement is to implement a county-wide homeless outreach and encampment response team. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there is a recognized need for skilled outreach workers who have the capacity to connect with encampments and engage with homeless residents in field-based service integration activities such as rapport building, resource connections, and case management. A pilot effort of this program was first launched in coordination with the Project Roomkey program through a sub-agreement under the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers. This agreement supports a collaborative effort with the City of Salinas which has allocated upcoming regional funds for this service. The City of Salinas funding will not be available until July 2021 and this agreement ensures continuity and availability of this key resource for our community.
The CSU Monterey Bay, College of Health Sciences and Human Services, Center for Community Health Engagement (CHE) launched a Community Health Engagement Street Outreach Team, called HEART - Homeless Engagement and Response Team. As part of the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers’ (CHSP) network and a subcontractor to the Project Roomkey program, this team has provided field-based service activities such as outreach and case management to engage homeless individuals living in encampments and on the streets throughout all of Monterey County and connect them to needed resources such as Project Roomkey sheltering, social services, mental health, substance abuse treatment, medical health services, financial benefits, transportation, meals, emergency shelter, bridge housing, and long-term housing. The HEART outreach process includes: 1) building a personal connection with the individual; 2) assessing immediate needs a with a basic field needs assessment; and 3) working to identify barriers that individuals must address and overcome to improve their health status, build their social support network, and effectively address their housing needs.
The primary goal of CHE is to improve the wellbeing of unsheltered individuals by providing services in a safe and healthy environment. CHE provides free group skill-building classes, individual counseling, connections to local resources with a focus on housing, employment, and pathways to chemical use abstinence and mental health treatment. Within the domains of education, health, and self-determination, CHE focuses on interactions between three populations: clients (residents), CSUMB students, and community service providers. CSUMB student interns from the Social Work (MSW), Public Health and Social Work foci (BA), Nursing (BSN), and Physician Assistant (MSPA) will establish collaborative partnerships to provide interprofessional and integrated services to unsheltered people.
While modifications have been made to the County’s standard indemnification language, these are required by the University and have previously been approved in prior agreements. Therefore the Department requests approval of this agreement with the modified indemnification language.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This program engages the local Continuum of Care provider, the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers and coordinates future financial support with the City of Salinas. The Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded with Homeless, Housing Assistance & Prevention (HHAP) funds. Sufficient appropriations and revenues are included in the SOC004 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Public Safety, Health & Human Services, and Administration Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing supportive services and field response to high risk individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, CAM x8492
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director x4430
Attachments: CSUMB Homeless Engagement and Response Team Agreement
The proposed Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.