REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 28, 2023
FROM
Diana Atkeson, Deputy Executive Officer, Community Revitalization
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Social Work Action Group for Homeless Street Outreach and Engagement, Housing Navigation, and Case Management Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 21-749 with Social Work Action Group, for the provision of Homeless Street Outreach and Engagement, Housing Navigation, and Case Management services, to update the terms, increase the total contract amount by $3,400,000 from $2,000,000 to $5,400,000, and extend the contract period by two years, for the total contract period of October 5, 2021 through April 30, 2025.
(Presenter: Diana Atkeson, Deputy Executive Officer, 382-3983)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
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 contract amount will not exceed $5,400,000 for Homeless Street Outreach and Engagement, Housing Navigation, and Case Management services (Outreach Services). The original contract amount of $2,000,000 is funded by a $1,887,055 grant from the California Department of Social Services for Project Roomkey and $112,945 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Payments for the original contract are administered by the Department of Behavioral Health. The $3,400,000 increase to the contract is requested to be funded by the San Bernardino County’s (County) ARPA funding. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and ARPA 2022-23 budgets and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 21-749 with Social Work Action Group (SWAG) for Outreach Services will increase the budget, extend the contract term, and update measurable performance outcomes. The performance outcomes are revised to achieve a greater impact to those experiencing homelessness within the County. Services provided by SWAG include outreach and engagement, housing navigation, case management, and collaboration between multiple partners to provide linkages to education, job skills training, employment, and social and healthcare agencies.
The increased performance outcomes include engaging a minimum of 400 unduplicated literally and chronically homeless individuals suffering from mental health and/or substance use disorders and providing referrals to appropriate mental health, substance use treatment, and housing-related agencies. Of the minimum 400 unduplicated individuals engaged, a minimum of 140 unduplicated individuals will exit life on the streets, a minimum of 75 unduplicated individuals will be linked or referred to crisis stabilization services, and a minimum of 50 unduplicated individuals will be linked or referred to substance use treatment services. These revised goals are for the timeframe beginning April 1, 2023 through April 30, 2025 and must be tracked and reported through the Homeless Management Information System.
The County maintains a commitment to systematically addressing homelessness and providing access to services sought out by individuals who are homeless due to their mental illness, substance use disorder, disability, and other barriers. The County Community Revitalization launched a pilot program on October 5, 2021 to improve, expand, enhance, and augment the local homeless response system with the ultimate goal of maximizing and expediting the number of individuals assisted out of homelessness. The program aims to identify areas of duplication, build efficiencies, and improve coordination.
During the initial pilot program period, the contractor engaged 161 of the required 200 unduplicated individuals. The pilot program is being extended through April 30, 2025, and the number of required unduplicated individuals has been increased by an additional 400 for the extended contract term. Prior to the end of the contract, the department will evaluate and propose appropriate recommendations to the Board of Supervisors (Board) on whether to establish the program permanently or explore other options.
SWAG works collaboratively with the County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement Team, Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Aging and Adult Services, and community-based providers to provide field-based outreach and case management to chronically homeless individuals who have experienced high levels of utilization and recidivism in hospital emergency rooms and local jails. Individuals receive services based on available resources, needs assessment, and eligibility requirements. This program is aligned with the County’s Homeless Strategic Action Plan by creating healthy communities and improving quality of life for unsheltered individuals.
SWAG’s performance will be monitored through the review of monthly reports and an annual site visit to ensure compliance with the administrative, program, and fiscal terms and conditions of the contract. SWAG will cooperate with the County in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of this contract and comply with all reporting requirements established by this contract. SWAG’s claimable expenses must be for services provided to eligible beneficiaries under this program. The County reserves the right to request additional program and/or fiscal reports to facilitate this monthly review. The contract may be terminated by either party, without cause, with 30 days written notice.
On October 5, 2021 (Item No. 24), as the result of a formal procurement, the Board approved Contract No. 21-749 with SWAG to provide Outreach Services, in the amount of $2,000,000, for the contract period of October 5, 2021 through September 30, 2022.
On September 27, 2022 (Item No. 25), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 21-749 with SWAG for Outreach Services. Amendment No. 1 updated definitions and Contractor Responsibilities, replaced Exhibit 2 - Program Budget, removing Exhibit 3 - Scope of Work, added Exhibit 5 - Compliance with American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Federal Guidelines use of American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund and Requirements, amended budget categories, and extended the term of the contract by six months, for a total contract period of October 5, 2021 through March 31, 2023, with no change to the contract amount.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Office of Homeless Services (Kristin Stevens, Administrative Operations Manager, 501-0644) on March 13, 2023; County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 23, 2023; Finance (Chris Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392, and Joon Cho, Administrative Analyst, 387-5402) on March 11, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on March 16, 2023.