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Adopt a resolution to support participation in the Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment Program (HMIOT) one-time grant funds authorized through Senate Bill (SB) 840 to provide services for individuals with serious mental illness and who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) to accept $571,000 in grant revenue and appropriate grant expenditures once funds are received and to execute contracts for the HMIOT program (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 and Social Services (H&SS) recommends the Board adopt a resolution to support participation in the Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment Program one-time grant funds authorized through Senate Bill (SB) 840 to provide services for individuals with serious mental illness and who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) to accept $571,000 in grant revenue and appropriate grant expenditures once funds are received and to execute contracts for the HMIOT program (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
California recognizes the growing need to allocate significant investment in mental health services and homelessness. The State budget package approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor included a statewide allocation of $50 million for the proposed Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment Program (HMIOT). Based on the County’s 2017 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, Solano County’s allocation is $571,000 to support local efforts in service to the homeless mentally ill population.
On July 31, the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) notified counties of the process to access these funds. Applications in the form of a letter of intent and Resolution from the Board of Supervisors are due to DHCS by September 25, 2018. The letter of intent does not require details about how the funds will be used but must affirm that the County will comply with the expectations associated with these funds. These funds must be used in serving individuals with severe mental illness who are also homeless or are at immediate risk of being homeless. These funds may pay only for the portion of costs of services not available to be funded by other state or federal funds and may not supplant other funds
Counties will be notified of the formal acceptance on October 9, 2018, and funding will be released by December 31, 2018. Funds must be fully expended by June 30, 2020, and a report of how those funds were used must be provided to DHCS within 90 days of the full expenditure.
The Behavioral Health division has a number of programs that aim to impact this population. A portion of these funds will be used to provide housing to individuals enrolled in the County’s Whole Person Care program. The balance of these funds will be used in support of other housing initiatives and service needs, including but not limited: 1) expansion of the permanent supportive housing program, 2) mentally ill individuals who are homeless as they are released from jail but do not qualify for the Prop 47 or the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction program, 3) housing for mentally ill individuals who do not qualify for other Mental Health Services Act housing programs or funds.
In alignment with Solano County’s five-year strategic plan to address homelessness (Attachment B), leveraging these funds in combination with other potential funds such as the Partnership Health Plan of California and No Place Like Home, will be important to maximize impact.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This action brings $571,000 in new funds to address a significant community need. As the funding can be spent over two fiscal years and planning for expenditures is beginning, H&SS is recommending that the County Administrator be given delegated authority to approve an ATR to accept $571,000 in grant revenue and appropriate grant expenditures once funds are received. There is no local match requirement.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt this resolution. This is not recommended as this is an opportunity to serve a high need population.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There are no other agencies involved at this time
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION