REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 9, 2023
FROM
JEANY ZEPEDA, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Aspiranet for Transitional Housing Program-Plus Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 3, effective May 9, 2023, to Contract No. 20-287 with Aspiranet to provide Transitional Housing Program-Plus services to young adults formerly in foster care, increasing the contract amount by $1,200,000, from $3,200,000 to $4,400,000, and increasing the contract period by one year, for a total contract period of July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2024.
(Presenter: Jeany Zepeda, Director, 387-2792)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
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 increase of $1,200,000, for a total cost not to exceed $4,400,000, is funded by 2011 Realignment funds. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Human Services (HS) Administrative Claim 2022-23 budget and will be included in the 2023-24 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus) is a state funded transitional housing program created in 2001 to address the housing and support services needs of individuals who left foster care on or after their 18th birthday. The program provides planning and supportive services, as well as safe and adequate residences to enable individuals to become self-sufficient. San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) has provided these services since 2007 through contracted vendors.
The California 2022-23 State Budget made additional funding available for the THP-Plus program and requires services be provided for 36 months, up to age 25, with no educational or vocational enrollment requirement. The recommended amendment will raise the term of enrollment in THP-Plus, allowing 36 months of services up to age 25.
THP-Plus services provided by Aspiranet include 24-hour crisis intervention and support; educational advocacy and support; assistance to pursue college or other post-high school training; allowance to purchase food and other necessities; apartment furnishings; system of payment for utilities, telephone, and rent; mentoring, and safe and adequate residences, defined as Scattered-site and Host Family Model housing. Scattered-site housing are apartments supervised by Aspiranet in various locations throughout the county, which allow young adult tenants to be integrated into their communities. The Host Family Model allows young adults to live in a family setting with a relative, current foster family, or other consistent caring adult.
Aspiranet’s performance is monitored by review of monthly reports and annual audits to ensure compliance with the administrative, program, and fiscal terms and conditions of the contract. Aspiranet continues to cooperate with the County in monitoring and evaluation of this contract and complies with all reporting requirements established by the contract. Aspiranet’s charges are for services provided to eligible beneficiaries under this funded program. CFS Budget and Administrative Services reviews invoices and attachments remitted by Aspiranet prior to payment. The County reserves the right to request additional program and/or fiscal documentation to facilitate this monthly review. The contract may be terminated without cause by the County with 30 days’ written notice.
PROCUREMENT
On May 19, 2020 (Item No. 31), as the result of a formal procurement, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 20-287 with Aspiranet to provide THP-Plus services for former foster young adults, in an amount not to exceed $2,775,000, for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.
On December 15, 2020 (Item No. 28), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 20-287 with Aspiranet, updating contract language to allow for the provision of services without regard to age or time restrictions, with no change to the contract amount or contract period.
On May 10, 2022 (Item No. 22), the Board approved Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 20-287 with Aspiranet, increasing the contract amount by $425,000 to $3,200,000 to allow for the provision of services to additional former foster youth who had been awaiting services.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on March 29, 2023; County Counsel (Kaleigh Ragon, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 3, 2023; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on April 21, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on April 24, 2023.