Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Nina Rhee, Interim Director, Aging and Adult Services
Subject: Acceptance of Home and Community Based Services Access to Technology Funding from the California Department of Aging
RECOMMENDATION:
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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 $1,051,572, and the execution of a provider agreement with Community Tech Network for the term of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $946,415.
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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.
Access to Technology (ATT) falls within California’s HCBS Spending Plan Infrastructure and Support category. The ATT initiative 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.
DISCUSSION:
AAS conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) process and, in November 2022, selected Community Tech Network to be the contractor for the County’s ATT initiative.
Services provided by Community Tech Network will include:
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 education and training on the use of technology for older adults and adults with disabilities
5. Conducting ATT program outreach
6. Administrating programs, including data collection and reporting
This total estimated amount of this grant is $1,051,572 but the amount allocated to Community Tech Network is $946,415. The remaining funds will be used for AAS administrative costs.
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 fiscal obligations.
It is anticipated that AAS will assess and identify 250 older adults/adults with disabilities who need and will be issued devices with low-cost internet plans; provide 1,250 hours of training on usage of issued devices; and provide 150 adults/adults with disabilities in-person training support each fiscal year.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
|
FY 2022-23 Estimated |
FY 2023-24 Projected |
|
Number of older adults/adults with disabilities identified who need and are issued devices with low-cost internet plans |
250 older adults/adults with disabilities |
250 older adults/adults with disabilities |
|
Number of hours of training on usage of devices provided |
1,250 hours |
1,250 hours |
|
Number of older adults/adults with disabilities provided with 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 December 31, 2023.
The amount of the grant from CDA is $1,051,572 and the amount of the provider agreement is $946,415 for the one-year term. These funds were included in the AAS FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget. Federal funds will cover 100% of the costs. There is no Net County Cost associated with adopting these agreements.