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Approve an agreement with Shelter Solano, Inc., upon concurrence of County Counsel, for up to $700,000 to provide temporary housing, shelter and related services for persons with persistent mental illness for the period of February 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019; Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request in the amount of $700,000 with $200,000 in revenue from the Homeless Mentally Ill Offender Treatment State grant and $500,000 in revenue from the Mental Health Services Act restricted reserve; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the agreement and any subsequent amendments that are within budgeted appropriations (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health & Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board approve an agreement with Shelter Solano, Inc., upon concurrence of County Counsel, for up to $700,000 for the period of February 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019; Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $700,000 with $200,000 in revenue from the Homeless Mentally Ill Offender Treatment State grant and $500,000 in revenue from the Mental Health Services Act restricted reserve; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the agreement and any subsequent amendments that are within budgeted appropriations (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY
Shelter Solano, Inc will serve as the successor agency to operate the Bridge to Life Center, Fairfield’s homeless shelter located at 310 Avenue. Shelter Solano, Inc. has been meeting with County staff, as well as the City of Fairfield and other stakeholders, to secure sustainable funding and contracts for services to be provided at 310 Beck Ave. Shelter, Inc has created a subsidiary organization, Shelter Solano, Inc., which will be the local service provider and operator. The proposed agreement will allow residents to be sheltered, transitionally housed, receive case management services and movement toward permanent supportive housing. The agreement includes funding from Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) restricted reserve, and one-time funding from the Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment (HMOIT) State grant. The Board of Supervisors previously approved Solano County’s submission of a letter of interest to receive the HMIOT funds intended to provide outreach, services, and/or housing to mentally ill individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. MHSA revenues are deposited into a restricted MHSA reserve fund and annually transferred to H&SS for the provision of MHSA services. Housing and homelessness are key priorities in the approved MHSA plan.
The contract purchases 8,073 bed days and results in an average daily census of 50 individuals. The census may fluctuate as long as the total contract amount is not exceeded. The anticipated average length of stay is 6 months, and individuals may stay for up to 9 months if necessary in order to prepare successfully for transition to permanent housing. Over the course of the contract term, this program is expected to serve 60 people. Individuals served under the MHSA portion of the contract must be clients of the Solano County H&SS Behavioral Health division; individuals will be referred by Behavioral Health staff and the County and contractor will coordinate in the provision of care. Individuals served under the HMIOT portion of the contract may be referred by parties other than Behavioral Health but must also have a moderate or severe mental illness in order to qualify.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the contracts are available through MHSA funds and the one-time HMIOT grant. With approval of the ATR, these funds will be available in the Department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. There are no County General Fund dollars associated with this contract.
DISCUSSION:
Welfare and Institutions Code 5800-5848 specifies the array of services Solano County, as a Mental Health Plan contractor with the State Department of Healthcare Services, is responsible for providing to the Medi-Cal beneficiaries it serves. Services to this very vulnerable population allow the County to avoid unnecessary placement of its residents in highly restrictive settings, reduce the risk of hard to themselves and others, and avoid these residents from otherwise living on the street. The Social Determinants of Health demonstrate that meeting a basic need, such as shelter/housing, results in increased ability to positively impact one’s health (including mental health) outcomes.
These services are aligned with intentions for Community Services and Supports funds from the Mental Health Services Act. The current FY18/19 MHSA Annual Plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors on December 11, 2018 and emphasizes the stakeholder feedback regarding a priority to provide more services to individuals who are mentally ill and are unable to maintain safe and stable housing.
Shelter Solano, Inc.’s program provides short-term shelter, food, and case management to homeless men, women, and children of Solano County. The individual based case management plans (ICP) includes educational assistance, life and job skills training while providing on/off site access to community resources such as legal services, recovery assistance, housing, social service supports, veteran’s benefits assistance, and local churches.
These proposed contract with Shelter Solano, Inc. will allow for continued operations at Fairfield’s homeless center, build community capacity with providing temporary housing/shelter to these residents and contribute to a sustainable shelter within the county.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the contract for Shelter Solano, Inc. This is not recommended as the County is mandated to provide mental health services for clients served in the County mental health system. These contracts will ensure residents who qualify for mental health services will be temporarily housed while working toward permanent supportive housing.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s office and County Counsel have been part of the ongoing negotiations, discussions and transition arrangements for Shelter Solano, Inc. to become the operator for 310 Beck Ave. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the contracts for legal sufficiency.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION