Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Lisa Mancini, Director, Aging and Adult Services
Subject: Acceptance of Home and Community Based Services Access to Technology Additional Funding from the California Department of Aging
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of Home and Community Based Services Access to Technology funding from the California Department of Aging in the amount of $226,188, and the execution of an amendment to the provider agreement with Community Tech Network to reflect the additional funding, for a total amount not to exceed $1,213,726 with no change to the term of the provider agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are person-centered care services that aid people with functional limitations, including seniors and individuals with disabilities or serious behavioral health conditions. The program helps older adults and people with disabilities live in their homes and communities of choice.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed in March 2021, provided qualifying states, including California, with a temporary 10 percentage point increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid expenditures for HCBS. Federal funds from the increased FMAP must be used to supplement existing state funds for Medicaid HCBS by March 31, 2024. Under ARPA, states can implement a variety of programs, including enhancement of HCBS services, expansion of program eligibility, and improvement to Medicaid HCBS infrastructure.
The Access to Technology (ATT) initiative falls within California’s HCBS Spending Plan Infrastructure and Support category. ATT includes $50,000,000 to fund pilot programs statewide to increase access to technology for older adults and adults with disabilities, to help reduce isolation, increase social connectivity, and improve self-confidence.
In July 2022, California Department of Aging (CDA) announced noncompetitive ATT grant funding, including $1,051,572 for San Mateo County’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Aging and Adult Services (AAS) is the County’s AAA, and the Board of Supervisors is its governing body.
In November 2022, AAS conducted a Request for Proposals and selected Community Tech Network to be the contractor for the County’s ATT initiative.
In December 2022, this Board accepted the ATT funding from the CDA in the amount of $1,051,572 and approved the execution of a provider agreement with Community Tech Network in an amount not to exceed $946,415 for the term of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
Under the provider agreement, services provided by Community Tech Network included:
1. Providing laptops, tablets, and smartphones to older adults and adults with disabilities;
2. Helping older adults and adults with disabilities obtain internet service plans;
3. Providing broadband infrastructure improvements for clients (telecommunications equipment, technologies, routers, fiberoptic lines, etc.);
4. Providing access to technology education and training for older adults and adults with disabilities;
5. Conducting ATT program outreach; and
6. Administrating programs, including data collection and reporting.
On December 21, 2023, CDA announced additional funding of $226,188 for San Mateo County.
In January 2024, AAS amended the provider agreement with Community Tech Network to extend the term through September 30, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
Under this amended provider agreement, Community Tech Network will continue to provide the services listed above, through September 30, 2024.
With the additional CDA funding of $226,188 announced in December 2023, the new total estimated amount of this grant is $1,277,760. The amount allocated to Community Tech Network is $1,213,726. The remaining funds will be used for AAS administrative costs.
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
Through this grant and provider agreement with the Community Tech Network, it is anticipated that: AAS will issue devices to 536 older adults/adults with disabilities;166 older adults/adults with disabilities will be registered for low-cost internet plans; 6,339 hours of training on usage of devices will be provided; and150 older adults/adults with disabilities will receive in-person training support.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
|
FY 2023-24 Estimated |
FY 2024-25 Projected |
|
Number of devices issued to older adults/adults with disabilities by AAS |
268 older adults/adults with disabilities |
536 older adults/adults with disabilities |
|
Number of older adults/adults with disabilities that are registered for low-cost internet plans |
83 older adults/adults with disabilities |
166 older adults/adults with disabilities |
|
Number of hours of training on usage of devices provided |
3,167 hours |
6,339 hours |
|
Number of older adults/adults with disabilities provided with in-person training support |
150 older adults/adults with disabilities |
150 older adults/adults with disabilities |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the provider agreement is January 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
The total amount of the grant from CDA is $1,277,760 and the amount allocated to the provider agreement is $1,213,726 for the 17-month term. These funds were included in the AAS FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. Federal funds will cover 100% of the costs. There is no Net County Cost associated with adopting these agreements.