sr-062612-3kCity Council and Housing
City of Authority Board
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting and Housing Authority Board: June 26, 2012
Agenda Item: 3-K
To: Mayor and City Council
Chair and Housing Authority Members
From: Andy Agle, Director of Housing and Economic Development
Subject: Modification of Agreement for Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the Housing Authority Board and City Council authorize the
Executive Director /City Manager to execute a fourth modification to Professional
Services Agreement #9092 with Ms. Dorothy Berndt, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(LCSW), to provide clinical support for the Housing Authority. The amount of the
contract would increase by $20,000 to a new total not to exceed $238,400.
Executive Summary
The City utilizes the services of a LCSW to assess the clinical needs of homeless,
senior and disabled households to coordinate care, stabilize persons needing housing
and assist persons "at risk" to remain housed. The Housing Authority and the Human
Services Division have had a joint contract with Ms. Berndt since August 20, 2009. The
proposed contract modification for the Housing Authority would increase the contract by
$20,000 to a new total not to exceed $238,400.
Background
A three -year contract was approved by the Housing Authority Board and City Council on
July 14, 2009 after a Request for Qualifications was conducted. The contract included
clinical services for both the Community and Cultural Services and Housing and
Economic Development Departments targeted to very-low- income chronically homeless
families. The City Council approved a first modification to the contract on May 25, 2010,
which increased the amount of the first year of the three -year contract but did not
increase the previously approved total contract amount of $218,400 for the three -year
period. A second and third modification to the contract, consistent with existing City
Council authorization, was subsequently approved administratively during 2010 and
2011 clarifying the contract term and annual pro -rated contract amounts among the two
City Departments. Clinical support is a pivotal component to the success of Housing
1 °
Authority programs and homeless initiatives under the City's adopted "Action Plan to
Address Homelessness." Services are provided to participants in the City's Shelter Plus
Care, Family Self- Sufficiency, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and HOME programs
to engage and stabilize homeless and disabled residents of Santa Monica.
Discussion
With the support of the LCSW, the Housing Authority is able to provide the appropriate
breadth of assistance to its program participants. The LCSW reviews documentation of
disability status to ensure eligibility for the different Housing Authority programs, is
deployed by staff to conduct assessments in the field, connects recipients to other
mainstream services and ensures appropriate treatment, and provides technical training
and support to contracted service providers and staff. Many households who are
marginally stabilized in the community would likely become homeless or require high -
cost services without the LCSW support. Contracting for this service is the most cost -
efficient way to work with the target population.
Ms. Berndt has extensive knowledge of various federal funding sources and regulatory
compliance requirements, and has eight years of experience working with City staff,
local service providers, the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health and most
importantly, program participants. The Housing Authority has observed an increase in
need for supportive services due to the economic downturn and potential or subsequent
loss of housing involving Santa Monica residents. Ms. Berndt's clinical expertise is
crucial to the success of Housing Authority programs. Ms. Berndt continues to
contribute to the high level of service that both federally subsidized participants and
federal evaluators have come to expect from the Housing Authority. The proposed
fourth contract modification provides additional funds of $20,000 for services to the
Housing Authority participants through the end of June 2012.
0.:
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract modification to be awarded to Ms. Dorothy Berndt is $20,000, for a new
contract total of $238,400. Funds in the amount of $20,000 are included in the FY2011-
12 budget at account 12269.555060.
Prepared by: Barbara Collins, Housing Manager
Approved:
An3y Agle, Director
Housing and Economic Development
191
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference Amended
Contract No. 9092 (CCS)