Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Scott Gilman, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with LIFE Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Living in Familiar Environments dba LIFE Inc. to provide representative payee services for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $432,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Representative payee services provide financial management for those individuals who are unable to manage their finances due to a serious mental illness and/or substance use conditions, or who are dependent adults. In San Mateo County, representative payee services traditionally have been divided between financial vendors who oversee the funds and issue checks, and the case managers who provide clinical services and disburse the funds to their clients. This has led to conflicting roles and occasional delays in payments. Receiving representative payee services from a single organization that can provide efficient, responsive, and flexible services will decrease the delay in getting funds to clients and provide more flexibility in payment practices. Moreover, it will reduce the number of late notices clients receive for essential items such as rent, which in turn reduces stress on our most vulnerable population.
In December 2018, the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) and Aging and Adult Services divisions released a Request for Proposals for representative payee services, and LIFE Inc. was awarded the contract in March 2019. LIFE Inc. has successfully been providing representative payee services since July 1, 2019.
DISCUSSION:
It is anticipated that LIFE Inc. will provide representative payee services to 350-400 BHRS clients. Services will include an initial intake process and money case management services.
The resolut...
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