SR 06-26-2018 3J
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 26, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.J
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Housing and Economic Development, Housing Division
Subject: Award of Contract for Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award RFP #176 to Dorothy Berndt, a California-based Licensed Clinical Social
Worker (LCSW), to connect at-risk tenants with local services to help keep them
housed.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Dorothy
Berndt, in an amount not to exceed $53,000 (including a $3,000 contingency) for
one year, with two additional two-year renewal options in the amount of
$212,000, on the same terms and conditions, for a total amount not to exceed
$265,000 over a five-year period, with future-year funding contingent on Council
budget approval.
Executive Summary
Santa Monica’s Housing Authority is dedicated to preserving existing affordable housing
in Santa Monica and creating new housing opportunities for residents with low and
moderate incomes. With hundreds of clients experiencing often dire economic and
social challenges, the services of a licensed, clinical social worker (LCSW) are required
to connect tenants (including individuals who were formerly homeless, seniors,
veterans, and individuals with disabilities) with existing services in the community, help
stabilize at-risk households, prevent eviction, and prevent recidivism of homelessness.
The proposed LCSW annual contract is $53,000 for one year and may be renewed for
two additional two-year terms, not to exceed a total contract term of five years. The total
contract amount would not exceed $265,000 over a five-year period.
Background
Senior and disabled households make up 70 percent of the 1,100 housing vouchers
administered by the City, and an additional 220 voucher holders are formerly homeless
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households. Many tenants served by the voucher programs live in extreme poverty and
most have faced additional barriers and challenges including mental or physical
disabilities, inadequate medical care, substance use, drug addiction, lack of education,
domestic violence, and lack of affordable child care.
The Housing Authority and the Human Services Division collaborate to address the
needs of disenfranchised tenants who need to obtain and retain affordable housing, and
who often thrive in Santa Monica upon receipt of needed services. A licensed, clinical
social worker (LCSW) supports the effort by conducting assessments in a tenant’s
home, connecting them with mainstream and specialized services, and following up to
ensure that they have received appropriate treatment.
Discussion
The LCSW is a pivotal component in the success of voucher programs and homeless
initiatives under the City’s adopted “Action Plan to Address Homelessness" – including
Continuum of Care, Family Self-Sufficiency, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, HOME,
and the Chronic Homeless Program Service Registry. Targeted social services are
essential in helping voucher holder households retain housing. Many of the households
with whom the LCSW works would likely become homeless or require high-cost
services without the LCSW.
The measurable benefits of the LCSW are two-fold: 1) Owners who express concerns
about tenant behavior or activity can outreach for assistance, which increases the
likelihood that tenant issues can be addressed in a timely manner to prevent eviction.
2) Tenants can live independently and thrive by gaining access to programs they may
not be aware of or may have difficulty accessing.
Contracting with an LCSW who can connect households with existing services is a cost-
efficient and effective way to help people remain housed. The clinical degree
requirement for the work is necessary to make clinical referrals and communicate in the
vernacular of care and services.
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The rental housing market is very competitive. In order to maintain the viability of the
voucher programs, timely and appropriate action and interventions for both the tenant
and owner are required. The LCSW provides the mechanism for the system to run
smoothly.
Vendor Selection
On May 14, 2018, the City published a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified
persons or firms to provide clinical support to programs administered by the Housing
Authority. The RFP was posted on the City’s online bidding site and notices were
advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press in accordance with City Charter and
Municipal Code provisions. Notifications went to 144 vendors and 9 vendors
downloaded the RFP. One proposal was received from Dorothy Berndt, LCSW.
An evaluation committee reviewed the proposal based on the following criteria:
experience, demonstrated competence, capacity to promptly provide services,
reputation of the firm, and compliance with City specifications and scope of work.
Dorothy Berndt is recommended as the most qualified proposer.
Ms. Berndt is currently providing these services for the Santa Monica Housing Authority.
with nine years of experience working with staff and voucher holders, including
individuals who were formerly homeless, and is knowledgeable about various Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) funding sources and regulatory compliance
requirements. Ms. Berndt has expertise with the Los Angeles Department of Mental
Health and local homeless service providers, who are the main point of contact for most
tenants who receive housing vouchers and services in Santa Monica. Ms. Berndt has
specific expertise to determine if disability requirements have been adequately
documented for HUD compliance and if the appropriate care plan based on that
disability is documented and followed. Ms. Berndt has demonstrated experience
working with the population in a non-traditional treatment setting and has been providing
services to the City under separate contracts over the past nine years
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Based on the criteria described above and criteria SMMC 2.24.073, staff recommends
that the City Council award RFP #176 to Dorothy Berndt, LCSW, in an amount not to
exceed $265,000 over a five-year period.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The agreement to be awarded to Dorothy Berndt is for an amount not to exceed
$265,000. Funds of $53,000 are available in the FY 2018-19 budget in the City Council
and Housing and Economic Development departments. The agreement would be
charged to accounts 01201.579001/01100001.532330.12001 ($39,000) and
122691.555060/12160002.552010 ($14,000). Future-year funding is contingent on
Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Barbara Collins, Housing Manager
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. 2018-06-05 Oaks initiative form
REFERENCE:
Agreement No. 10705
(CCS)