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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-20; City Council; ; Agreement with Interfaith Community Services to Provide Outreach and Case Management Services to Individuals and Households Experiencing HomelessnessCA Review __MK____ Meeting Date: June 20, 2023 To: Mayor and City Council From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Staff Contact: Chris Shilling, Homeless Services Manager chris.shilling@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2284 Subject: Agreement with Interfaith Community Services to Provide Outreach and Case Management Services to Individuals and Households Experiencing Homelessness Districts: All Recommended Action Adopt a resolution approving a professional services agreement with Interfaith Community Services in an annual amount of $315,000 to provide outreach and case management services to assist individuals and households experiencing homelessness in the City of Carlsbad. Executive Summary The Carlsbad City Council adopted a Homelessness Action Plan on Feb. 7, 2023, to update the city’s goal to reduce homelessness and its effects on the local community. The plan outlines programs and initiatives that the city plans to carry out over the next five years and identifies as a priority the continued use of outreach and case management in conjunction with the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team. The city has contracted with Interfaith Community Services for these services since May 2018. The current homeless case management agreement is set to expire June 30, 2023. In January 2023, a request for proposals for these professional services was posted and Interfaith Community Services was selected as the highest-ranked proposal submitted. The proposed professional services agreement requires the City Council’s approval under the Carlsbad Municipal Code because the contract amount exceeds $100,000 per agreement year. Discussion Background The city first contracted for social workers to conduct outreach and develop individualized action plans for individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Carlsbad as part of the original Homeless Response Plan in 2018. On Feb. 7, 2023, the City Council approved the updated Homeless Response Plan, now titled the Homelessness Action Plan. The plan identified outreach and access to services as one of three areas of focus. June 20, 2023 Item #4 Page 1 of 16 The plan also identified the following action: Initiative 1.2 (b) “Develop and maintain robust and impactful outreach to persistently identify, engage and assess both the immediate needs and long-term housing needs of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness.” Bidding process • The current homeless case management agreement is set to expire June 30, 2023. • On Jan. 17, 2023, staff posted a request for proposals for professional services to select a qualified organization to provide homeless outreach and case management services. • As of the Feb. 24, 2023 request for proposals deadline, the city received two proposals. A selection panel comprised of Housing & Homeless Services staff and Police Department Homeless Outreach Team staff evaluated and ranked the proposals based on best value criteria, in keeping with Carlsbad Municipal Code Sections 3.28.060 and 3.28.050(d)(2), which apply to the procurement of professional services. The panel ranked Interfaith Community Services’ proposal highest of the two received. The non-profit organization has focused on providing food, housing, employment, treatment and other emergency resources for local people in crisis since 1979. It has also operated the city’s outreach and case management program since May 2018, and the Housing & Homeless Services Department and Police Department have been very pleased with Interfaith Community Services’ performance in terms of client contacts, referrals and clinical knowledge. Proposed agreement In fiscal year 2022-23, the budgeted contract amount for these services was $315,000, which is the same annual amount being requested for this agreement (see Attachment A to Exhibit 1). In fiscal year 2021-2022, the last completed contract year, Interfaith Community Services interacted with 655 unduplicated individuals 3,025 times, provided 4,071 individual services and helped 173 people access temporary shelter and 13 people get into permanent housing. The initial term of the professional services agreement is for one year, with two, two-year extension terms, at an annual compensation amount of $315,000 per agreement year. The amount is consistent with the amount identified for this service in the City Council’s approved fiscal year 2023-24 operating budget. Any unspent contract funds based on savings within the year may be reallocated within the contract budget to carry out contract objectives, subject to a contract amendment approved by the city manager or designee. Previously, city staff administering the contract approved such amendments. In summary, the agreement provides for the following: • Salary and benefits for two full-time licensed social workers or other outreach workers as deemed qualified by the city and half of their licensed supervisor. These workers are in the field seven days a week to conduct assessments, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, care coordination, case management and psychoeducation to clients. They can accompany Homeless Outreach Team officers and provide follow-up independently. • Office and program supplies such as mobile devices, auto or mileage expenses, database licenses and IT support • Flexible funds to assist clients with critical needs such as transportation, fees for copies of formal identification and rental application fees June 20, 2023 Item #4 Page 2 of 16 Fiscal Analysis Funds for the professional services agreement with Interfaith Community Services are included in the fiscal year 2023-24 operating budget approved by the City Council on June 13, 2023. Funds for the two, two-year agreement extensions would be included in future operating budgets. Options Staff provide the following options for the City Council’s consideration: 1. Adopt the resolution and approve the agreement as presented. Pros • Provides support to assist individuals and households experiencing homelessness • Consistent with the City Council’s adopted Homelessness Action Plan Cons • None identified 2. Do not authorize the agreement as presented Pros • None identified; there were only two bidders, and requesting additional proposals is not expected to offer additional benefits to the city Cons • Does not provide support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness • Is inconsistent with the City Council’s adopted Homelessness Action Plan Staff recommend Option 1. Next Steps The City Manager will execute the professional services agreement with Interfaith Community Services, and staff will monitor the agreement and request extensions as warranted. Environmental Evaluation This action does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code Section 21065. It has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Exhibits 1. City Council resolution June 20, 2023 Item #4 Page 3 of 16 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-174 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT OF $315,000 TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF CARLSBAD WHEREAS, the city adopted a Homelessness Response Plan in 2018, which maintained an outreach and case management program for individuals and households experiencing homelessness since May 2018; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California approved an updated Homelessness Action Plan on Feb. 7, 2023; and WHEREAS, the Homelessness Action Plan identifies Outreach and Access to Services as one of three areas of focus; and WHEREAS, on Jan. 17, 2023, the city posted a request for proposals for professional services to select a qualified organization to continue providing homeless outreach and case management services; and WHEREAS, as of Feb. 24, 2023, staff received two proposals from qualified organizations that met threshold bidding criteria; and WHEREAS, subsequent to a review of the proposals based on best value criteria consistent with Carlsbad Municipal Code Sections 3.28.060 and 3.28.050(0)(2}, staff identified Interfaith Community Services as the highest ranked proposal. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1.That the above recitations are true and correct. 2.That the City Council hereby approves the Professional Services Agreement with Interfaith Community Services (Attachment A}. 3.That the City Manager or designee is hereby authorized to execute the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Carlsbad and Interfaith Community Services for outreach and case management services and to act on behalf of the City of Carlsbad in Exhibit 1 June 20, 2023 Item #4 Page 4 of 16 all future decisions and actions necessary to implement the Agreement, and to do so in full compliance with the terms and conditions expressed in the aforementioned Agreement and to the satisfaction of the City Attorney. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 20th day of June, 2023, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Luna. Burkholder. None. None. KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk (SEAL) June 20, 2023 Item #4 Page 5 of 16 Agreement with Interfaith Community Services to Provide Outreach and Case Management to Individuals and Households Experiencing Homelessness Mandy Mills, Director Housing & Homeless Services Chris Shilling, Homeless Services Manager Housing & Homeless Services 1 Background •First contracted in May 2018 as part of original Homeless Response Plan •On Feb. 7, 2023, City Council approved updated Homelessness Action Plan •Outreach and Access to Services is One of Three Areas of Focus 4 . Interfaith Community Services Agreement 2 Background •The Homelessness Action Plan also identifies an initiative to: “Maintain robust and impactful outreach to persistently identify, engage and assess both the immediate needs and long-term housing needs of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness.” 4 . Interfaith Community Services Agreement 3 Contract Outcomes 4 . Interfaith Community Services Agreement 4 Outreach & Case Mgmt Contract 2020-21 2021-22 Unduplicated Individuals 655 690 Touchpoints 3025 3741 Housing 13 24 Shelter (and other temporary)99 116 Other Exits (hospital, jail)143 74 Total Direct Outcomes 255 214 % of direct outcomes/Individuals 39%31% RFP Process •RFP posted on Jan 17, 2023 •On Feb. 24, 2023 the city received 2 qualified proposals •Interfaith Community Services was selected as best value proposal 4 . Interfaith Community Services Agreement 5 Agreement Summary •One-year agreement •Funding starting July 1, 2023 •Agreement shall not exceed $315,000 per year •Funds were included in the FY 2023-24 operating budget approved June 30, 2023 4 . Interfaith Community Services Agreement 6 Agreement Budget 4 . Interfaith Community Services Agreement 7 Item Description 2023-24 Budget Personnel Expenses 0.5 FTE Program Manager $51,500 1 FTE Outreach/Social Worker $85,000 1 FTE Outreach/Social Worker $85,000 Benefits $77,525 Personnel Sub Total $299,025 Program Support Operating Costs*$15,975 Program Support Sub Total $15,975 Total $315,000 *Operating Costs may include: supplies, staff recruitment, training, transportation costs, IT licenses and support, and client flex funds Recommended Action •Adopt a resolution approving a professional services agreement with Interfaith Community Services in an annual amount of $315,000 to provide outreach and case management services to assist individuals and households experiencing homelessness in the City of Carlsbad. 4 . Interfaith Community Services Agreement 8