REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 8, 2021
FROM
GILBERT RAMOS, Director, Transitional Assistance Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendments to Contracts for Domestic Violence Intervention and Shelter Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1, effective July 1, 2021, to contracts with the following agencies to continue to provide Domestic Violence Intervention and Shelter Services throughout the County, increasing the total combined contract amount by $2,231,272, from $2,231,272 to $4,462,544, and exercising the first option to extend the contracts an additional year, for the total contract period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022:
1. Desert Sanctuary, Inc., Contract No. 20-241, increasing by $331,801, from $331,801 to $663,602.
2. DOVES of Big Bear Valley, Inc., Contract No. 20-242, increasing by $327,000, from $327,000 to $654,000.
3. Family Assistance Program, Contract No. 20-243, increasing by $379,196, from $379,196 to $758,392.
4. House of Ruth, Inc., Contract No. 20-244, increasing by $271,846, from $271,846 to $543,692.
5. Morongo Basin Unity Home, Inc., Contract No. 20-245, increasing by $302,951, from $302,951 to $605,902.
6. Option House, Inc., Contract No. 20-246, increasing by $311,478, from $311,478 to $622,956.
7. Victor Valley Domestic Violence, Inc./”A Better Way”, Contract No. 20-247, increasing by $307,000, from $307,000 to $614,000.
(Presenter: Gilbert Ramos, Director, 388-0245)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The increase of $2,231,272 is federally funded through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) single allocation ($1,937,272) and Senate Bill 1246 revenue derived by a surcharge on marriage license fees and court ordered domestic violence fines ($294,000). Adequate appropriation and revenue will be included in the Human Services Administrative Claim 2021-22 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The agencies listed in the Recommendation provide critical services throughout San Bernardino County to victims of domestic violence and their children as well as assist CalWORKs customers obtain training leading to self-sufficiency and lasting employment. Since 2007, these agencies have served approximately 32,000 victims of domestic violence. Upon approval of the recommended amendments, the Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) anticipates the agencies will provide Domestic Violence Intervention and Shelter Services to an additional 2,000 victims of domestic violence in 2021-22.
California’s welfare reform bill, Assembly Bill 1542 passed in 1997, includes a family violence section, which addresses domestic abuse issues that may serve as barriers to employment or self-sufficiency for CalWORKs applicants and recipients. The objective of the bill is to identify CalWORKs applicants and recipients who are past and/or present victims of domestic abuse and to assist them in obtaining employment and becoming self-sufficient. In addition, Senate Bill 1246 passed in 1980 (authored by Senator Presley), requires counties to place a surcharge on the cost of marriage licenses, which is to be used to augment direct and shelter services for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Over the past 42 years, TAD has contracted with local agencies to provide both domestic violence intervention and shelter services. Some of the many services provided under these contracts include a 24-hour crisis hotline, group meetings to discuss issues and concerns with others who are experiencing similar problems, temporary shelter for those who need to immediately vacate their homes for safety reasons, and outreach services which may include domestic abuse awareness, education, and life skills classes.
PROCUREMENT
On April 21, 2020 (Item No. 73), the Board of Supervisors approved contracts with the agencies listed in the Recommendation to provide Domestic Violence Intervention and Shelter Services in the combined amount of $2,231,272, for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, with four one-year extension options by mutual agreement of both parties. The Purchasing Department concurred with the non-competitive procurement for these services based on the justification of specialized credentials and expertise.
Contractor performance will continue to be monitored by reviewing monthly reports detailing expenses and the progress of each CalWORKs customer, and an annual visit to monitor for compliance with the administrative, fiscal, and program requirements of the contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on April 8, 2021; County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 13, 2021; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on April 23, 2021; Purchasing (Bruce Cole, Supervising Buyer, 387-2148) on May 3, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on April 28, 2021.