Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Abode Services for Bringing Families Home Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Abode Services to cover the cost to continue to provide Bringing Families Home program services, and increasing the term by twelve months, for a new term of February 13, 2024 to June 30, 2027, increasing funding by $586,814, for a new total obligation amount of $1,373,078.
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BACKGROUND:
The Bringing Families Home (BFH) Program, established by Assembly Bill 1603 (2016), and expanded under Senate Bill 80 (2019), provides Housing First services to families involved with Children and Family Services (CFS). The program aims to prevent placement in foster care and support family reunification in cases where housing instability is a primary barrier or risk factor for separation by addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.
On February 13, 2024, by Resolution No. 080180, the Board waived the formal solicitation requirement and authorized an agreement with Abode Services (Abode) to provide BFH program services for the period of February 13, 2024 through June 30, 2025, with a total obligation of $786,264. Under this agreement, Abode provides rapid rehousing services, including housing and landlord identification and recruitment, rent and move-in assistance, and case management to support homelessness prevention for families receiving child welfare services.
On December 16, 2024, the Human Services Agency (HSA) executed a director-level amendment to roll over unspent funds from year one to year two, with no change to the contract term or total obligation. On May 5, 2025, HSA executed a second director-level amendment that extended the contract term by twelve months, resulting in a new term of February 13, 2024 through June 30, 2026, with no change to the total obligation.
Separately, on January 9, 2024, by Resolution No. 080111, the Board authorized an agreement with StarVista to provide BFH services for the term of January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, with a total obligation of $515,904. This agreement ended with $105,114 in unspent funds. HSA was unable to extend the StarVista agreement to utilize the remaining BFH funds because StarVista closed in August 2025.
HSA received an additional BFH allocation of $481,700 for FY 2025-26. The claiming deadline for these funds is June 30, 2028.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting County authorization to amend the agreement with Abode to extend the contract term by 12 months through June 30, 2027; incorporate unspent BFH funds in the amount of $105,114; and add an additional allocation of $481,700, for a new total contract obligation of $1,373,078. This amendment would allow Abode to increase the number of families served from 10 to 26 for the duration of the contract.
Although, the claiming deadline for the additional allocation is June 30, 2028, HSA and Abode have agreed, based on the current one-time funding allocation for FY 2025-26, to sunset the program on June 30, 2027. This extension will allow families enrolled in Rapid Rehousing through June 2026 to receive a full twelve months of rental assistance, consistent with best practices. Should an additional allocation be awarded in the future, HSA may consider extending the program term through June 30, 2028.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency, or designee, to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 for the agreement.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the amendment and resolution as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Actuals |
FY2025-26 Anticipated |
FY2026-27 Anticipated |
|
Percent of families referred to BFH who were housed and prevented from higher levels of child welfare involvement |
89% |
95% |
95% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This program has a positive impact on the County by reducing family homelessness, increasing housing stability, and improving child and family well-being. By providing housing-related financial assistance and supportive services to families involved with or at risk of involvement with the child welfare system, the program helps prevent unnecessary family separation and reduces entries into foster care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the amended agreement is February 13, 2024, through June 30, 2027. The amendment increased funding by $586,814, for a new total obligation amount of $1,373,078. Funding for this amendment is anticipated to be through Child Welfare Services Bringing Families Home Program, State funding. Budgetary appropriation for this amendment is included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost.