HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 12-02-19 Item 6-a - Approval of BA #3-A for an Emergency Solutions Grant, and Creation of a 1.0 FTE Time-limited Position Allocating Current Mental Health Maintenance of Effort Funds 1
ORD-2019-041
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 2, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-a
SUBJECT: Approval of Budget Amendment #3-A for the Receipt of an Emergency
Solutions Grant, and Creation of a 1.0 FTE Time-limited Position Allocating
Current Mental Health Maintenance of Effort Funds
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy Coston, DSS Director, 919-245-
2800
PURPOSE: To approve Budget Amendment #3-A for the receipt of an Emergency Solutions
Grant (ESG) of $40,000 to provide Rapid Rehousing services, and to create a 1.0 FTE time-
limited position to provide these services by allocating currently available Mental Health
Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds to support the position, as well as the use of additional
currently available MOE funds to provide counseling to families involved in protective services.
BACKGROUND: Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) was able to apply for
ESG funds to support Rapid Rehousing for persons experiencing homelessness. In order to
maximize the impact of the program, DSS is requesting to create a 1.0 FTE time-limited Human
Services Specialist III position to provide the assessment and case management services to the
participants, allowing the grant funds to pay actual housing costs. The grant period is January
2020 through December 2020, and this current request is to fund the position through the
current fiscal year at a cost of $28,737. Continued funding for the position, through December
31, 2020, will be included in the FY 2020-21 budget.
In addition to the ESG position, DSS is requesting to use $25,000 in unobligated MOE funds to
provide assessments and counseling to families involved in protective service cases. Some of
these families do not have health insurance or other ways to access critical treatment and the
lack of timely treatment may impact their ability to care for or retain custody of their children.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Orange County is required to provide MOE funding to support mental
health services. These funds totaling $53,737 are currently included as part of the Cardinal
Innovations MOE funding in the FY 2019-20 approved budget. The ESG funds do not require a
match.
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The receipt of the $40,000 ESG funds amends the following Grant Project Ordinance:
Emergency Solutions Grant— Project#71084
Revenues for this project:
Current FY FY 2019-20 FY 2019-20
2019-20 Amendment Revised
Emergency Solutions Grant $463,061 $40,000 $503,061
Total Project Funding $463,061 $40,000 $503,061
Appropriated for this project:
Current FY FY 2019-20 FY 2019-20
2019-20 Amendment Revised
Emergency Solutions Grant $463,061 $40,000 $503,061
Total Costs $463,061 $40,000 $503,061
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this agenda item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
Providing housing to homeless individuals and assuring access to treatment services supports a
safe community, promotes self-sufficiency and addresses equity issues faced by low income
families unable to afford needed services.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve:
1) Budget Amendment #3-A for the receipt of the $40,000 Emergency Solutions Grant;
2) the creation of a 1.0 FTE time-limited position at DSS to provide assessment and case
management for homeless persons with mental health needs; and
3) allocating $28,737 from MOE funds to pay for the position costs and $25,000 from MOE
funds to purchase mental health services for families involved in protective services.