Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Samaritan House for Diversion and Coordinated Entry System Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Samaritan House to provide Diversion and Coordinated Entry System (CES) services to clients utilizing Inclement Weather Seasonal Shelter services by adding $150,276 in funds, for a revised total amount not to exceed $4,182,369.
body
BACKGROUND:
The Human Services Agency (HSA)’s Center on Homelessness and its community partners closely collaborate on a broad spectrum of homeless services that work together to form the County’s homeless response system. The Coordinated Entry System (CES) is a key component of the strategic plan to end homelessness, as it is the process by which people experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness receive diversion services and are connected to shelter and other services.
On November 3, 2023, the County Executive’s Office (CEO) released the Measure K Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for interested applicants to submit proposals to provide services in San Mateo County that target three priority areas: housing and homelessness, emergency preparedness, and children, families, and seniors.
On February 12, 2024, HSA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a provider for Diversion and CES Services for households experiencing homelessness and individuals exiting institutions. Samaritan House was selected as the provider who best met the needs of the County.
On March 26, 2024, by Resolution 080240, HSA received a Measure K grant to implement a centralized inclement weather program (IWP) shelter at the San Mateo County Event Center during inclement weather seasons, which run annually from November 15 through April 15.
On June 25, 2024, by Resolution 080527, this Board authorized an agreement with Samaritan House for Diversion and CES services for the term of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027 for a total obligation amount not to exceed $4,032,093.
A portion of the Measure K funds in the IWP grant agreement is proposed to be allocated to Samaritan House to increase CES capacity, receive and process IWP referrals to the shelter, and to provide onsite diversion conversations with IWP participants when the program is activated.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is proposing that the County amends its agreement with Samaritan House to add $150,276 to increase CES capacity to refer unsheltered individuals and families to the Event Center Shelter during inclement weather events and provide onsite diversion conversations at the Event Center Shelter on deactivation days. When the IWP is activated, CES will invoice IWP staff hours at 1.5 times base rate to compensate a CES Diversion Specialist for overtime.
This amendment provides a timebound increase in CES funding to meet the increased community need for CES and other related services during inclement weather events.
The agreement 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’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate).
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
|
Percentage of households in IWP who engage in a diversion conversation after IWP deactivation and are placed on the shelter waitlist or enter shelter |
75% |
75% |
75% |
EQUITY IMPACT:
This program will promote equity by increasing the accessibility of the Coordinated Entry System (CES). To meet the increased demand for CES services during the Inclement Weather Season, the program will increase staff capacity to timely process the high volume of Inclement Weather Program (IWP) referrals to shelter. Staff will also be onsite at the IWP shelter on days of IWP deactivation to provide diversion conversations. Having staff readily available in-person will alleviate the transportation burden on clients since they will be able to receive CES services where they are instead of having to travel to another location (i.e. Core Agency) to receive a CES assessment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this amended agreement is from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. The amendment adds $150,276 in Measure K sales and use tax revenue for a new total amount not to exceed $4,182,369. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement is included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget and will be included in all subsequent budgets that are affected by this agreement. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.