REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  September  18, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-6.

SUBJECT:

Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach & Treatment Program (HMIOT)

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Dean True, Branch Director, HHSA Adult Services, (530) 225-5900

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Dean True, Branch Director, HHSA Adult Services

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions:  (1) Authorize the Chairman to sign, and the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to submit, a letter of interest to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) accepting a one-time $200,000 allocation for Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment (HMIOT) services; (2) adopt a resolution which designates the HHSA Director as the single point of contact to DHCS for HMIOT funding and authorizes participation in the HMIOT program; and (3) approve a budget amendment increasing appropriations and revenue by $200,000 in the HHSA-Mental Health budget to accept the funding.

SUMMARY

Receipt of this allocation will provide additional funding for local activities related to individuals with serious mental illness or who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

DISCUSSION

Senate Bill (SB) 840 allows for a funding opportunity to counties via the Department of Health Care Services for one-time funding for local activities involving individuals with serious mental illness and who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

Shasta County has several programs currently running that address issues of homelessness, including an active Whole Person Care grant project that promotes integration and coordination of care surrounding issues of physical health, mental health, substance use, and homelessness. SB 840 funds would be instrumental in further addressing housing needs in our community by expanding room and board opportunities for those living with mental illness, efficiently and effectively addressing emergency shelter needs, and providing supports such as rental/ utilities assistance related to permanent housing.

To request these funds the County must delegate a primary contact organization (HHSA) to submit a Letter of Interest indicating how the county intends to use the funds for the purpose outlined in the provisions of SB 840.  The funder also requests that the Letter of Interest include a Board of Supervisors resolution as an attachment.

A final report will be submitted within 90 days of the end of the project, June 2020.  The report will include the disposition of funds, the services provided, and the number of individuals who received services.  All funds must be expended by project end date June 30, 2020.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to submit a letter of interest and/or approve the budget amendment.  This is not recommended because it would make Shasta County ineligible to receive this funding.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the resolution as to form.  The Auditor-Controller has reviewed the budget amendment.  The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation. 

FINANCING

The proposed budget amendment will support the HMIOT program in FY 2018-19.  The increase in FY 2019-20 will be included in next year’s budget request. There is no County match required. There is no additional General Fund impact from the recommended action.