REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 10, 2024
FROM
RACHEL HAY, Acting Director, Veterans Affairs
SUBJECT
Title
California Department of Veterans Affairs Subvention Certificate of Compliance and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance Forms for 2024-25
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of the following annual certificates of compliance to the California Department of Veterans Affairs to receive 2024-25 local assistance funding:
1. Subvention Certificate of Compliance
2. Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance
(Presenter: Rachel Hay, Acting Director, 382-3290)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) certificates of compliance are required to receive an estimated $1,000,000 in state subvention and $144,000 in state Medi-Cal funding. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Veterans Affairs (VA) 2024-25 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
VA assists San Bernardino County veterans, current members of the military services, and their families in identifying and obtaining benefits and services through advocacy, outreach, and education to improve veterans’ mental health, well-being, and quality of life. As the County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO), VA works closely with CalVet, the State’s leading veterans advocate and resource. In addition, CalVet provides CVSO jurisdictions with annual local assistance funding to support veterans’ services and activities. This funding is authorized by Military and Veteran’s Code Section 972 et seq., and related regulations. VA has received the funding since 1989.
To receive local assistance funding, CalVet requires the annual submission of the Subvention Certificate of Compliance and the Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance certified by the Board of Supervisors (Board). Per CalVet requirements, the compliance certificates must be signed by the Chair of the Board or another County official authorized by the Board to act on its behalf. The signed 2024-25 certificate of compliance forms are due to CalVet by January 31, 2025.
The Subvention Certificate of Compliance certifies the County’s adherence to California Code of Regulations, Title 12, Subchapter 4 and Military and Veterans Code Division 4, Chapter 5. This certifies that the County has appointed a veteran to serve as the CVSO, remained compliant with the accreditation requirements for the CVSO and other staff, and adhered to other administrative requirements. The Subvention Program reimburses counties for a portion of their administrative costs for workload units performed. A workload unit represents a claim that has a reasonable chance of obtaining a monetary or medical benefit for a veteran, dependent, widow/widower, or survivor. State subvention funds are distributed on a pro-rata basis using allowed subvention workload units.
The Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Certificate of Compliance certifies the County’s adherence to California Code of Regulations, Title 12, Subchapter 4, and acts as the application to participate in the Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program authorized by Military and Veterans Code Section 972.5. This certifies that the County has appointed a CVSO and adhered to fiscal and administrative requirements, as outlined by the cited code. The Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program reimburses for activities CVSO performs that result in cost avoidance or savings to the Medi-Cal Program. Medi-Cal cost avoidance funds are distributed on a pro-rata basis using allowed Medi-Cal workload units.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on June 27, 2024; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 5, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on August 2, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on August 21, 2024.