Important note: he following recommendation was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21, 2014:

To:              Honorable Board of Supervisors

From:         Iliana Rodriguez, Director, Human Services Agency

Subject:     Amendment to an Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse to add Community Development Block Grant - offset funding for Fiscal Year 2014-15, increasing the amount by $27,024 to an amount not to exceed $233,303.

BACKGROUND:

Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) works collaboratively with the Human Services Agency (HSA) in providing services to victims of domestic violence. CORA’s services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling education programs, legal assistance, community outreach services and a crisis hotline. These services are free and confidential for victims of domestic violence in San Mateo County and are an integral component of HSA’s mission to promote self-sufficiency.

On May 21, 2013, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution #072538, an Agreement in the amount of $180,000 with CORA to provide prevention and intervention services for FY 2013-15 and authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency (HSA) or the Director’s designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County's maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate), and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provision.

On July 8, 2013 and March 5, 2014 the Director of Human Services Agency approved subsequent amendments to add $21,900 FY 2013-14 Community Development Block Grant- offset (CDBG- offset) and $4,378 (3%) Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to the Agreement.

DISCUSSION:

This third amendment with CORA is to add $27,024 due to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Department of Housing (DOH) and HSA to disperse Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for FY 2014-15. The contractor will utilize funds for emergency shelter programs as well as prevention and intervention services to victims of domestic violence.

CORA’s emergency shelters are part of the agency’s overall effort to progressively engage clients at risk of homelessness. Services include hotel and rental assistance for affordable housing. CORA is the only domestic violence organization in San Mateo County that provides a continuum of domestic violence services and therefore is recognized as a sole-source provider.

This amendment is due to a MOU between DOH and HSA which reduces InnVision Shelter Network (IVSN) General Fund funding (replaced by CDBG funding) by $141,737 and increases five other Agencies’ funding (with General Funds) by the amount listed in the chart below:

Shelters

Net Increase

CDBG/ ESG

General Funds

CORA

$27,024

 

$27,024

Home and Hope

$18,200

 

$18,200

Project WeHOPE

$11,744

 

$11,744

Safe Harbor

$61,745

 

$61,745

Star Vista

$23,024

 

$23,024

IVSN

$212,053

$353,790

-$141,737

TOTAL

$353,790

 

 


County Counsel has reviewed and approved the amendment and Resolution as to form.

Approval of this amendment contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by enabling domestic violence victims and their children to obtain emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and access to the crisis hotline. By providing these services to domestic violence victims and their families, we ensure that children grow up in a more safe and healthy environment that enables them to thrive. It is anticipated that 90% of 25 clients will receive referrals to services that will help them achieve greater self-sufficiency and exit with safety plans.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Measure

FY 2013-14 Actual

FY 2014-15 Projected

Emergency Shelter Program

households that will receive referrals to services that will help them achieve greater self-sufficiency and exit with safety plans.

85%

90%

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015. The total obligation of this Agreement is $233,302, of which, $180,000 is funded through the collection of Marriage License Fees, $21,900 is FY 2013-14 CDBG funds, $4,379 (3% COLA ) is Net County Cost and $27,024 is additional Net County Cost in FY 2014-15. Appropriation for these funds has been included in the FY 2013-14 and FY 2014-15 Adopted Budgets.

Important note: this is a copy of the official report -- item 41 on the Board's agenda.