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Consent-Health & Human Services # 18.
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| Board of Supervisors |
Child, Youth & Family |
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| Subject |
Approve Bringing Families Home program proposal and budget of $225,000 from May 9, 2017 through June 30, 2019; and delegate authority to the Director of Health and Human Services Agency or her/his designee to sign and execute any additional forms, documents, and/or amendments as necessary related to the grant. (No general fund impact) (Larsen)
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| Recommended Action |
- Approve Bringing Families Home grant proposal in the amount of $225,000 from May 9, 2017 through June 30, 2019; and
- Delegate authority to the Director of Health and Human Services Agency or her/his designee to sign and execute any additional forms, documents, and/or amendments as necessary related to the grant.
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| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Thriving Residents
Safe Communities |
| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
In January 2017, the California Department of Social Services requested proposals for its Bringing Families Home grant program, which aims to reduce homelessness among families involved in the child welfare system. More specifically, the program provides housing resources to parents who have diligently and successfully worked to address safety issues and the final barrier preventing reunification is a lack of stable housing.
Project Overview
In April 2017, the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency submitted an application for Bringing Families Home funding. The proposed project aims to accomplish three primary goals, including:
- Reducing the number of families in the Yolo County Child Welfare System experiencing homelessness;
- Ensuring housing instability is not a barrier to reunification when all safety concerns have been addressed successfully by the parent; and
- Preventing new foster care placements that are caused by families being unable to provide a safe environment for their children due to lack of housing.
The proposed project will work to accomplish its goals through implementation of five project components, including:
- Identification, assessment, and prioritization;
- Supportive services;
- Housing navigation;
- Housing assistance; and
- Transition to self-sufficiency.
Identification, Assessment, and Prioritization
The project will identify and assess each eligible family based on their vulnerability relative to two primary factors, including child welfare involvement and housing need. First, staff in Yolo County Child Welfare Services will conduct a review of all active cases to identify eligible families on the child welfare caseload. Next, to assess child welfare involvement, the project will utilize the Structured Decision Making Risk Reunification Tool to identify all eligible families where homelessness is the primary barrier to reunification. Families will be prioritized for services when they have received a reunification recommendation, have addressed all safety concerns except homelessness, and have demonstrated increased protective capacity. Finally, to assess vulnerability based on housing need, the project will utilize the Vulnerability Index and Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool. This Tool will be used to assess each eligible family that has been prioritized based on the results of the Structured Decision Making Risk Reunification Tool, and further prioritize based on the severity of their housing needs and vulnerability.
Supportive Services
Depending on the level of vulnerability, the project will offer a continuum of supportive services ranging from low to intensive case management. A key component of case management will be regular Child and Family Team meetings where staff brings together families with members of their support network for case planning purposes.
Housing Navigation
The housing navigation component of the project will provide assistance with securing and maintaining permanent housing placements for eligible families. Housing navigation and placement services will include:
- Seeking out low cost rentals, subsidized units and vacant apartments
- Maintaining an extensive list of affordable housing options
- Partnering with the Housing Authority on obtaining available subsidy housing opportunities
- Building relationships with landlords who may be willing to negotiate lower rents or rent to people with poor rental or credit histories
- Matching client with appropriate housing and assisting them with applications
- Providing after care services aimed at keeping clients housed, such as landlord mediations and eviction prevention activities
Housing Assistance
The housing assistance component of the project will provide housing assistance to eligible families experiencing homelessness who have been prioritized for services based on their vulnerability. All housing-related assistance will be offered using the evidence based-practices as defined in the Housing First model of addressing homelessness. Consistent with Housing First principles, the project will focus on securing permanent housing for each family as quickly as possible in a low-barrier setting. Staff will use local funds to temporarily house families in motels or substance use treatment facilities if appropriate, while families search for permanent housing.
Transition to Self-Sufficiency
Once a family has secured permanent housing, staff will work in collaboration with the Child and Family Team to assist the family in developing a housing self-sufficiency plan. In addition to building protective capacity with the parents, the plan further ensures the parents are working toward securing a stable income to pay for rent once the Bringing Families Home subsidy ends. If reunification occurs, another element of the housing self-sufficiency plan will emphasize connecting families with the CalWORKs Housing Support Program to determine eligibility for its rental subsidies.
Budget Overview
The proposed project is expected to operate on a total budget of $225,000 over a two-year period. The proposal requests $112,500 in Bringing Families Home funding from the state, and offers a County match of $112,500 in non-federal Wraparound Reinvestment Funds.
To offset overhead expenses, the Health and Human Services Agency will reserve $11,250 or 10 percent of the state funding for administration costs including project management and data tracking. All other money will be used to provide housing resources directly to eligible families.
Next Steps
In May 2017, staff received notification that its application was funded in the amount of $112,500 over a two-year period. At this time, staff is recommending that the Board of Supervisors:
- Approve Bringing Families Home grant proposal in the amount of $225,000 for a period from May 9, 2017 through June 30, 2019; and
- Delegate authority to the Director of Health and Human Services Agency or her/his designee to sign and execute any additional forms, documents, and/or amendments as necessary related to the grant.
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| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency
Yolo County Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition
Yolo County Superior Court |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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Explanation (Expenditure and/or Revenue) |
| Further explanation as needed: |
Staff intends to use $112,500 in Realignment as the match for this grant over the two-year project period, creating a total project budget of $225,000. These funds will be added to the County budget for fiscal years 17-18 and 18-19 during the County budget process.
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