Agenda Item AGENDA STAFF REPORT ASR Control 24-000342
MEETING DATE:	07/23/24
legal entity taking action:	Board of Supervisors
board of supervisors district(s):	All Districts
SUBMITTING Agency/Department:	Probation (Approved)
Department contact person(s):	Daniel Hernandez (714) 645-7001
	Todd Graham (714)-645-7003

Subject: Approve Contract for Housing Services for Adult Clients

ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

Concur

Approved Agreement to Form

Discussion

3 Votes Board Majority

Budgeted: Yes

Current Year Cost: $834,000

Annual Cost: FY 2025-26 $834,000

Staffing Impact:

# of Positions:

Sole Source: No

Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

Funding Source: GF: 100%	County Audit in last 3 years: No
Levine Act Review Completed: Yes

Prior Board Action: N/A

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

Authorize the County Procurement Officer or Deputized designee to execute Subordinate Contract between County and Action Alliance Foundation, for the provision of Housing Services for Adult Clients, effective upon approval or execution of all necessary signatures, through June 30, 2026, for a cumulative total not to exceed amount of $1,668,000, renewable for two additional one-year terms.

Pursuant to Contract Policy Manual Section 3.4-114, authorize County Procurement Officer or Deputized designee to exercise a contingency contract cost increase for each Contract, not to exceed 10 percent of the contract amount for the first year of each Contract, for the entire term of the Contract, including renewals, and within the scope of work set forth in the Contract. The use of this contingency contract cost increase is subject to approval requirements established by the County Procurement Officer.

SUMMARY:

Approval of Subordinate Contract with Action Alliance Foundation for the provision of Housing Services for Adult Clients will provide temporary housing for adults during their transition back into the community in a safe and drug-free environment.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

On September 30, 2022, the Health Care Agency (HCA) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for qualified organizations to provide Recovery Residence Services to adult residents of Orange County. The solicitation closed on January 31, 2023, and seven qualified organizations were identified and awarded a contract under one Master Agreement, including Action Alliance Foundation (AAF). The solicitation specified that the resulting contract will be a cooperative contract that could be utilized by any County department.

This contract, acknowledging the urgent necessity emphasized by the OC Cares initiative, targets a noticeable gap in housing support for those under the Orange County Probation Department’s (Probation) supervision or involved in the justice system. The overarching goal of this program is to reduce incarceration rates, offer supportive services, aid in community reentry, and mitigate recidivism among individuals within the justice system, and in direct alignment with OC Cares 2025 Vision. The OC Cares initiative, committed to fostering positive community outcomes, has identified a pressing issue regarding housing stability for individuals under probation supervision. In response, Probation is committed to addressing this service gap, specifically focusing on the unhoused adult population. Supported by evidence-based research, it has been shown that stable housing significantly influences reducing recidivism rates. Thus, Probation aims to implement strategies that not only address immediate housing needs but also contribute to the long-term rehabilitation and successful reintegration of individuals within the justice system. The goal is to extend housing assistance to individuals currently under Probation’s supervision or at risk of entering the system.

Scope of Services

Probation is responsible for referrals to Contractor for Housing and/or Recovery Residence Services under this Contract. AAF shall collaborate with the Probation Department to provide reentry system navigation services and housing advocacy to clients who are transitioning back into the community, to ensure a smooth transition back into the community and into supportive services. These services would be provided to clients preparing for re-entry into the community after release from a detention facility or Court proceedings that have led to supervision or potential supervision.

The goals are to provide stable housing by ensuring that individuals currently on probation or at risk of probationary measures have access to stable and secure housing within Orange County. These services aim to support the reintegration of justice-involved individuals into society. They achieve this goal by offering housing assistance, fostering a sense of stability, and promoting a feeling of belonging. To maximize the impact of housing assistance programs, it's crucial to establish and strengthen collaborations with community organizations, housing providers, and other relevant stakeholders. This is accomplished by Action Alliance attending recovery meetings, hosting annual community events, and maintaining communication with case workers and community partners. By doing so, we can enhance the effectiveness of these programs and ensure that individuals on probation receive the support they need. Addressing housing needs not only contributes to the overall well-being of probationers but also helps create a positive and supportive environment conducive to their successful reintegration into society.

Individuals eligible for services are homeless individuals eighteen (18) years and older with a substance use disorder, co-occurring with mental illness and/or need structured housing arrangements, who are on AB109/Formal Probation/Mandatory Supervision or at risk of becoming supervised/sentenced under AB109/Formal Probation/Mandatory supervision. In addition, contractor shall serve homeless youth who are under the jurisdiction of Juvenile Court and are 18 years or older.

Contractor shall admit all persons receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services referred by Probation. Contractor must have procedures for linkage/integration for residents who are lawfully prescribed MAT. MAT Services means the use of Federal Drug Administration-approved medications in combination with behavioral therapies to provide a whole person approach to treating substance use disorders. Contractor staff must facilitate communication with physicians and resident in compliance with Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records Code of Federal Regulation (42 CFR part 2) to discuss dosage and side effects and must abstain from providing medication guidance outside of the advice of an appropriately qualified medical professional. Contractor shall, in accordance with capacity of the facility, admit all persons referred by Probation.

Adult Housing Services are reimbursed at $55 per bed day, which includes two meals per day, or a $50 weekly food voucher, or a combination of food and lesser amount food voucher. Participants may stay in adult housing for up to four months on the condition that they are actively engaged in their re-entry planning. AAF will provide approximately 11 beds for females and 22 beds for males at any given time. AAF meets the Orange County Adult Alcohol and Drug Sober Living Facilities Certification Guidelines and have been certified by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

A Good Neighbor Policy is included in residential program contracts wherein contractor provides services to County residents and the services may have a potential impact on the surrounding neighborhood(s) including but not limited to environment, safety, and congregation.

Contractor	Facility Location
Action Alliance Foundation	Westminster, Santa Ana, Orange

Performance Measures and Outcomes

The scope of work provides detail on general performance measures required. Additionally, Probation and Action Alliance Foundation will continue to work together to identify key performance indicators and outcome measures including capturing and sharing data and metrics. The following performance outcomes are included in the scope of work:

-Employment Rate: Eighty Percent (80%) of all residents obtaining successful completion shall be employed, be enrolled in school, or be participating in regular volunteer activities by discharge from the housing facility. Residents who are enrolled as a full-time student, who are deemed physically or mentally disabled by a certified physician, and who have volunteered for more than ten (10) hours per week in the community are considered as employed. Employment rate shall be calculated by the number of Residents who obtained employment (as defined in this subparagraph) at completion of housing Services divided by the number of Resident completing housing Services during the evaluation period.

-Housing Linkage Rate: Eighty Percent (80%) of all Residents shall be linked to stable housing upon completion of housing program. Housing Linkage Rate shall be calculated by the number of Residents transitioning to stable housing upon completion of Recovery Residence Services divided by the number of Residents completing Recovery Residence Services during the evaluation period.

The Contractor's performance has been confirmed as satisfactory. Probation has verified there are no concerns that must be addressed with respect to AAF’s ownership/name, litigation status or conflicts with County interests. The contract does not currently include subcontractors or pass through to other providers. See Attachment B

The Orange County Preference Policy is not applicable to this contract award.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

Appropriations for this Contract are included in Budget Control 057 FY 2024-25 and will be included in the budgeting process for future years. The Contract includes provisions allowing the Probation Department to terminate the Contract, reduce the level of services, and/or renegotiate the levels of services provided, as necessary, and without penalty.

STAFFING IMPACT:

N/A

ATTACHMENT(S):

Attachment A - Subordinate Contract MA-057-24011014 for Provision of Housing Services for Adult Clients
Attachment B - Contract Summary Form
Attachment C - Cooperative Agreement MA-042-23011088
Attachment D - Welfare and Institutions Code § (WIC) 707(b)