REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 10, 2020
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title v
Amendments to Employment Contracts for the Ombudsman Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1, to the following employment contracts, effective March 14, 2020, increasing hourly rates, with no change to the contract term of February 16, 2019 through February 15, 2022, for the following individuals:
1. Theresa Guerrero, Field Coordinator, Employment Contract No. 19-71, for the total estimated annual cost of $47,172 ($31,720 Salary, $15,452 Benefits).
2. Ruthy Cyrus McAfee, Field Coordinator, Employment Contract No. 19-72, for the total estimated annual cost of $47,172 ($31,720 Salary, $15,452 Benefits).
3. Kimberly Morrow, Field Coordinator, Employment Contract No. 19-73, for the total annual estimated cost of $50,581 ($34,320 Salary, $16,261 Benefits).
4. Barbara Figueroa, Office Manager, Employment Contract No. 19-75, for the total annual estimated cost of $49,320 ($33,800 Salary, $15,520 Benefits).
(Presenter: Sharon Nevins, Director, 891-3917)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The increase of $22,868 to the employment contracts for an estimated annual cost of $194,245 will be 100% state and federally funded. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) 2019-20 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program received additional allocations in General Fund and it is allocating an increase from the State Health Facilities Citation Penalties account to local Long Term Care Ombudsman programs. It is the Legislature’s intent that this funding be used to supplement existing funding for the program. DAAS is recommending amendments to the employment contracts to increase the hourly rates for the following employees:
|
Employee |
Title |
Current Hourly Rate |
New Hourly Rate |
|
Theresa Guerrero |
Field Coordinator |
$13.75 |
$15.25 |
|
Ruthy Cyrus McAfee |
Field Coordinator |
$13.75 |
$15.25 |
|
Kimberly Morrow |
Field Coordinator |
$15.00 |
$16.50 |
|
Barbara Figueroa |
Office Manager |
$15.21 |
$16.25 |
Ombudsmen are independent, objective individuals who advocate for the dignity, quality of life, and quality of care for all residents in long-term care facilities. They are authorized by federal and state law to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints by, or on behalf of, residents in long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and Community Care-licensed board and care homes.
In October 1995, DAAS began providing Ombudsman services directly to long-term care facilities, due to the lack of qualified non-profit agencies able to provide such services. Under Welfare and Institutions Code 15650(a), the Ombudsman program is responsible for investigation of all allegations of elder abuse occurring within facilities licensed for the elderly. DAAS provides and coordinates Ombudsman services through the utilization of contract employees who are responsible for program oversight, recruitment, and training of program volunteers. All staff and volunteers responsible for the delivery of Ombudsman services are trained and certified by the California Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman prior to providing services.
The Ombudsman Program Field Coordinator (Field Coordinator) position receives, relays, and investigates complaints of elder abuse; ensures allegations are prioritized and followed up on within the guidelines established by the State of California and local programs; visits unassigned long-term care facilities; manages recruitment of and provides assistance to volunteers; and responds to after-hours calls from the Ombudsman 24-Hour State Crisis Line. Field Coordinators report to the Ombudsman Program Coordinator.
The Ombudsman Program Office Manager (Office Manager) position receives emergency calls from the public and the State Ombudsman Crisis Line; provides general information and assistance; maintains files of dispatches, daily schedule, and database of all long-term care facilities; assists in training of staff members and volunteers as needed.
PROCUREMENT
On February 12, 2019 (Item No. 5), the Board of Supervisors approved employment contracts with Theresa Guerrero, Ruthy Cyrus McAfee and Kimberly Morrow as Field Coordinators and Barbara Figueroa as Office Manager, in the total estimated annual amount of $171,377, for the period of February 16, 2019 through February 15, 2022. Approval of the recommended amendments will allow DAAS to increase the hourly rates for these contract employees, with no change to the contract period.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Resources (Mark DeBoer, Assistant Director of Human Resources, 387-5570) on February 20, 2020; County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 24, 2020; Human Services Contracts (Jennifer Mulhall-Daudel, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on February 14, 2020; Finance (Chris Lange, Administrative Analyst, 388-3893) on February 14, 2019; and County Finance and Administration (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on February 19, 2020.