TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services Agency
REPORT BY: Jennifer Ivancie, Staff Services Analyst I
SUBJECT: Agreement No. 240204B with On the Move, Inc. (Transitional Housing Program and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program)
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 240204B with On the Move, Inc., for a contract maximum of $164,892 for the Transitional Housing Program (THP) Round 5 and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP) Round 2 grant allocations from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). (Fiscal Impact: $164,892; Health and Human Services Agency Fund 2000, CWS Division 20004; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
HCD provides funding to Napa County through THP and HNMP allocation awards for the support of housing navigators to help youth aged 18 years and up to 24 years, secure and maintain housing, with priority given to youth in the foster care system. The funds may be used to provide housing navigation services directly or through a contract with other housing assistance programs in the county.
Voice Our Independent Choice for Emancipation Support (VOICES) is a program of On the Move, Inc., whose mission is to empower underserved youth, by utilizing holistic services throughout their transition from systems of care, while building a loving community and establishing a solid foundation for a healthy future. VOICES has direct access to Transitional Age Youth (TAY) by way of their Youth Service Center and Wellness Centers where youth in Napa County are offered support through workshops, counseling, resources, and referrals. VOICES is the most logical option for managing the THP and HNMP services, as they are a first stop for youth in need of help if they are housing insecure or homeless. These services are especially important for assisting these youth transition to independent living arrangements.
The increased cost of housing in Napa County and surrounding counties poses a challenge to former foster youths who may be underemployed and/or have a limited support system of family and friends. Nationwide, 50% of the homeless population have spent time in foster care.
The housing needs of youth in foster care are great and this agreement would enable the County to continue collaborating with a community partner to locate, procure, and maintain housing for youth, in or formerly in foster care or the probation system as they transition to independent living arrangements.
On the Move/VOICES is a local vendor and is already administering housing navigation services to TAY in Napa County, through an agreement that uses previous allocation awards of THP and HNMP that were awarded from HCD.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Health and Human Services Agency, Child Welfare Services Division |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
There is no mandate to contract for these services, however, On the Move/VOICES is a first stop for many TAY and is already providing these services, through a prior agreement. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations have been included in the approved Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget and future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, the County will not have access to the resources On the Move/VOICES provides to address the continued housing needs of youth in foster care or formerly in foster care. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.