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Approve two Napa/Solano Area on Aging contracts for a total of $475,000 for the period of November 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 to address the needs of older adults during the pandemic; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute these contracts
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health & Social Services recommends the Board of Supervisors approve two Napa/Solano Area on Aging (N/S AAA) contracts for a total of $475,000 for the period of November 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 to address the needs of older adults during the pandemic and authorize the County Administrator to execute these contracts.
SUMMARY:
On September 1, 2020, the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved acceptance of the Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES Act), HR 748, funding distributed through the California Department of Aging (CDA) to provide services in the Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging Planning and Services Area 28 (PSA28). This CARES Act funding is to be allocated to mitigate issues for older adults caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The contracts will provide N/S AAA services funded with CARES Act revenue. There is no impact to County General Fund. The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are nominal and are included in the Department’s FY2020/21 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging (N/S AAA) is responsible for distribution of funds received from the California Department of Aging for PSA28 Older Americans Act services. The CARES Act funding will provide $280,118, or 26.17%, for Napa County residents and $786,302, or 73.83%, for Solano County residents and 10%, or $114,555, will be for administrative purposes. This CARES Act funding is to mitigate issues for older adults caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Service priorities for the allocation include access, transportation and social isolation of older adults. The Board is asked to authorize the County Administrator to execute contracts for the following service providers for the period of November 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021:
• Community Action of Napa Valley for $125,000, to provide an additional 57 home bound seniors with 7 meals per week for 11 months and an additional 42 emergency meal boxes containing 7 days of shelf-stable meals.
• City of Benicia, Family Resource Center for a total of $350,000 to provide emergency assistance to seniors by providing cash or material aid primarily focused on emergency housing and health needs. $25,836 is for administration costs and $324,164 is for direct services. Napa County residents will receive $46,309 and Solano County residents will receive $277,855. Solano County residents will receive allocations proportionately by senior population: 4% for Dixon, 27% for Fairfield-Suisun, 5% for Rio Vista, 21% for Vacaville, 35% for Vallejo, and 7% for Benicia.
In addition to the above contracts, Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging, PSA28, per the recommendation of the AAA Advisory Committee, is utilizing $120,000 in CARES Act revenue to provide up to 600 emergency “Go Bags” to frail seniors in Solano County for use in case of emergency and power shutoffs. Bags will be distributed by the N/S AAA Service Providers: Meals on Wheels, Innovative Health Solutions, and Ombudsman Services.
There are $271,181 in remaining funds to be distributed to Solano County residents. The distribution of these remaining funds is under review by the N/S AAA Advisory Council on Aging and the N/S AAA Oversight Board. The recommended distribution will be brought before the Solano County Board of Supervisors once finalized.
All contracts contain language specific to the services being provided in accordance with California Department of Aging requirements, including service delivery, units of service, and unduplicated client totals. Data are reported monthly to N/S AAA. During the contract year, each service provider will undergo a programmatic and fiscal audit by N/S AAA staff. Results will be provided to the N/S AAA Advisory Council on Aging, N/S AAA Oversight Board, and the Boards of Supervisors for both Napa and Solano Counties.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose to address each of these contracts individually. This is not recommended as approving these contracts on an individual basis may disrupt vital services for the senior community. These funds will allow the N/S AAA to provide needed services to seniors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/S AAA staff, N/S AAA Oversight Board, and N/S AAA Advisory Council on Aging were involved in the development of this agenda item.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION