REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 26, 2023
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino for the Continuum of Care In-Kind Supportive Service Match
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Memorandum of Understanding No. 22-976 with the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, for the Continuum of Care In-Kind Supportive Service Match for participants qualified for the Cornerstone CoC Grant Program, extending the term one additional month, with no change to the in-kind supportive service value amount of $908,356, for a revised contract period of October 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023.
(Presenter: Georgina Yoshioka, Director, 252-5142)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The in-kind supportive services provided, valued at $908,356, will be used to satisfy the match requirement of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Cornerstone Continuum of Care (CoC) Grant Program (Cornerstone CoC Grant Program). These in-kind supportive services, provided by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), are funded by Mental Health Services Act, Medi-Cal reimbursements, and funding from 1991 Realignment and 2011 Realignment. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in DBH’s 2023-24 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Cornerstone CoC Grant Program provides rental assistance to the most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals and families. As part of this program, the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) as the awardee, is required to have an in-kind services provider, providing supportive services to individuals and families participating in the Cornerstone CoC Grant program. DBH is responsible for providing mental health and/or substance use disorder services to San Bernardino County residents who are experiencing severe mental illness and/or a substance use disorder. The MOU outlines the collaborative efforts between HACSB and DBH regarding the Cornerstone CoC Grant Program. HACSB entered into an MOU with DBH to provide in-kind supportive services to meet the match requirement.
HACSB accepts referrals from the County’s Coordinated Entry System which is a centralized and streamlined process of identifying those who are homeless, and screens them to ensure individuals and families meet HUD requirements. HACSB then refers the identified persons to the Cornerstone CoC Grant Program, which provides funding for rental assistance. DBH provides in-kind supportive services that include case management, employment assistance, housing/counseling, life skills, mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and transportation for those who qualify for the program. DBH tracks the services provided to homeless individuals and families and reports the cost of these services to HACSB. DBH has been providing these services since May 2003.
On October 4, 2022 (Item No. 16), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the MOU for the combined total in-kind supportive service value of $908,356 for a one-year term expiring on September 30, 2023.
In 2023, HUD and HACSB consolidated four of the tenant-based CoC grants (New Horizon, Whispering Pines, Stepping Stones, and Cornerstone) into one master grant, now titled the Cornerstone CoC Grant Program. In doing so, it changed the total length of the grant from 12 months to 13 months for the first year. As a result, HUD requires DBH to extend the agreement by an additional month, in order to align with the grant requirements. Approval of the Recommendation will extend the contract term in accordance with HUD’s requirements.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Ellayna Hoatson, Contracts Supervisor, 388-0858) on September 7, 2023; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 12, 2023; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on September 13, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on September 13, 2023.