REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  April  24, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-5.

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to Agreement with Bowman Systems, LLC to provide a web-based software service known as Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Laura Burch, Director of Housing/Community Action Programs, (530) 225-5160

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Laura Burch, Director of Housing/Community Action Programs

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an amendment, effective date of signing, to the agreement with Bowman Systems, LLC to provide the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to add 100 licenses (for a new total of 150) and to increase maximum compensation not to exceed by $39,125 (for a new total not to exceed $80,000 during the entire term of the agreement), retaining the original term October 31, 2017 through October 31, 2018.

SUMMARY

Approval of the recommendation would allow the Department of Housing and Community Action Programs (Department) to expand the use of the HMIS across the seven county Homeless Continuum of Care (COC) partners.

DISCUSSION

The Redding/Shasta County Homeless Continuum of Care (COC) is an organization consisting of government agencies, non-profits, faith-based groups, and individuals who have an interest in homeless issues.  Communities must operate a COC to establish eligibility with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for COC funding. 

On October 31, 2017, the County Executive Officer executed the original agreement with Bowman Systems, LLC to purchase fifty (50) licenses.  The need for HMIS licenses grew substantially through marketing the program and due to funding requirements by HUD to enter homeless data into an approved HMIS system.  Each agency requesting to purchase an HMIS license is required to pay the cost of the license according to a pro-rated schedule (Attachment 4 added via the recommended amendment) and enter into a Personal Services and Sublicense Agreement with Shasta County, through the Department of Housing and Community Action Agency, which expires each year on October 1.

On June 22, 2010, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness released a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness titled “Opening Doors”.  This strategy was in response to the 2009 Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act.  Consequently, state and federal agencies have linked eligibility for homeless grant funds to community participation in an HMIS.  HMIS is an information technology system used for the collection of data on homeless individuals and families who use residential or other homeless services. This data will be used to expand potential services, increase future funding and provide statistics on homeless individuals and families in the CoC region.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board of Supervisors could decline to approve the recommendation.  This alternative is not recommended, as HMIS is an important data collection system for homeless services across the region, and the Department would not be able to expand the collection of needed data.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The amendment was approved as to form by County Counsel.  Risk Management and Information Technology have reviewed the amendment.  This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

There is no additional General Fund impact with approval of this recommendation.