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SR 06-26-2018 3J City Council Report City Council Meeting: June 26, 2018 Agenda Item: 3.J 1 of 4 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 2 of 4 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. 3 of 4 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 4 of 4 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)