BOS Agenda C'ate :OL':ti:iber 1 7, 2uub

County of Santa Clara
Social Services Agency

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Office of Contracts Management

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SSA02 101706

Prepared by: Lynette Harrisson
Sr. Management Analyst

Reviewed by: Sherie Rice
Contract Manager

Submitted by: Onita Spake
Chief Financial Officer

Norma Doctor Sparks
Director, Department of Family
and Children's Services

DATE;

October 17, 2006

TO:

Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Will Lightboume
Agency Director, Social Services Agency

SUBJECT: Approve Delegation of Authority to Director of the Social Services Agency, or
Designee, to Negotiate, Execute, Amend and Terminate a Memorandum of
Understanding with San Jose State University to Provide Housing to Santa Clara
County Former Foster Youth

Bmaid iin' yuptivis-urs. Dorisld F. OcidA,

A.Ivsiado, Pete McHucih, Jim Besll, Liz Kni
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BOS Agenda Date :Oi::tol:ier 1 7, 2006

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve delegation of authority to the Director of the Social Services Agency , or designee, to
negotiate, execute, amend and terminate a Memorandum of Understanding with San Jose
State University relating to providing dorm housing to former foster youth who have
emancipated from the County of Santa Clara, Social Services Agency, Department of Family
and Children's Services in an initial amount not to exceed $107,604 for period August 27,
2006 through June 30, 2007, with an option of two additional one-year extensions, following
approval by County Counsel as to form and legality, and approval by the Office of the County
Executive. Delegation of authority shall expire on June 30, 2009.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There will be no impact to the County General Fund. Payments for this program are currently
included in the Social Services Agency budget which was part of the Board of Supervisors FY
2007 Approved Budget. The estimated payment for each of the participants (Cohort 1 is 9
participants for 5 months and Cohort 2 is 13 participants for 5 months) per month is $975 for a
total of $107,250 for FY 2007. The Social Services Agency will bill the California
Department of Social Services Transitional Housing Placement Plus Program at a
reimbursement rate of 100%. In the event that State funding is no longer available, the Social
Services Agency will use CalWorks Incentives funds designated for housing former foster
youth who are participating in the California Connected by 25 Program.
CONTRACT HISTORY

Not Applicable.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

In accordance with Board of Supervisors policy for entering into an Agreement, the Social
Services Agency is retroactively requesting delegation of authority to enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding with San Jose State University. In order to take advantage the
San Jose State University housing and remain on course with the implementation of the
Connected By 25 Career Pathways Program, the young adults had to move into the dorm on
August 27, 2006. The Social Services Agency was only given three days to accept the dorm
rooms at San Jose State University. In an effort to utilize the housing resources, the Social
Services Agency authorized the young adults to move into dorm housing. Eight of the former

Board of Supen/isors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jlrn Beall , Liz Kniss
2

BOS Agenda Date :Oi;:triber 1 7, 2006

foster youth were homeless at the time and without dorm housing would not have been able to
participate in the Career Pathways Program. Delegation of authority is requested retroactively
so the Social Services Agency can enter into an official agreement with San Jose State
University for dorm rooms being utilized by Santa Clara County former foster youth.
Delegation of authority will allow the Social Services Agency Director, or designee, to
negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with San Jose State University and continue to
modify the agreement as necessary without an interruption in services.
BACKGROUND

California Connected by 25(CC25)is an initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the
Stuart Foundation, and the Walter S. Johnson Foundation. As part of the CC25 Initiative, two
of the Santa Clara County workgroups have been working together to secure housing for
former foster youth who emancipated from Santa Clara County and are participating in the
Career Pathways Program being implemented at Mission College. The Career Pathways
Program is a collaboration between the Social Services Agency, work2future, and Mission
College. It is a 16-week college bridge program that allows participants to attend Mission
College to further their education while learning applicable job skills. The Department of
Family and Children's Services worked with San Jose State University to secure donu rooms
on campus for nine of the Cohort 1 participants of the Career Pathways Program. Thirteen
housing slots are budgeted for Cohort 2 participants (beginning Febmary 1, 2007) and/or
eligible Cohort 1 participants at San Jose State University.
During April 13, 2006, the Social Services Agency submitted a "Letter of Interest" to the
California Department of Social Services along with a Transitional Housing Placement Plus
Plan (THP-Plus)for FY 2007 to fund a designated number of slots for transitional housing for
young adults ages 18-24 who have emancipated out of the foster care system. THP-Plus
programs certified under the State regulations must be designed to provide a safe and adequate
residence and allow participants the maximum amount of independence and self-sufficiency.
Under the State regulations, acceptable residential units includes college domiitories. On July
12, 2006, the Governor signed into law budget trailer bill AB 1808 approving 100% State
funding for the THP-Plus Program. On September 8, 2006, the California Department of
Social Services issued All County Letter No. 06-38 outlining the funding allocations for FY
2006. The five counties who are currently operating a Transitional Housing Placement Plus
Program received the bulk of the funding and approximately $312,396 will be distributed on a

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jirn Beall, Liz Kniss
3

BOS Agenda Date ^October 1 7

"first come, first served" basis to all counties with an approved THP-Plus plan until the flinds
are exhausted.

It is anticipated that the Agency will be able to draw down some State funding for the San
Jose State placements. If needed, the CalWorks Ineentive Funds designated for foster youth
housing will be used to pay for the dorm housing for the young adults residing at San Jose
State University.
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION

Negative action will result in the possible homelessness of the nine former foster youth who
are currently housed at San Jose State University. Negative action will also result in the Social
Services Agency inability to continue to offer donn housing as an alternative to homelessness
for those former foster youth who are participating in the CC25 Initiative.
STEPS FOLLOWING APPROVAL

The Clerk of the Board will follow the usual steps for a transmittal of this type. The Social
Services Agency Director, or designee will negotiate and execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with San Jose State University and foward a copy of the Memorandum of
Understanding to the Clerk of the Board within 30 days of the execution of the agreement.

Board of Bupetvisors: Donald F, Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jirn Beall, Liz Kniss