SUBJECT
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Approve the first amendment to the contract with Tri-County Human Services, Inc. (TCHS) to provide staffing in support for the HATCH Program. (not to exceed $1,020,132 for the duration of the contract, and not to exceed $365,965.18 for FY 24/25).
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DESCRIPTION
Since 2016, the Department of Children and Families has awarded Polk County with Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse (CJMHSA) Reinvestment grant funds. In 2018, Community Health Care used these grant funds to develop and implement the Helping HANDS (Healthcare Access Navigation Delivery and Support) Program to assist newly released mentally ill inmates of the Polk County Jail as they transition from jail into the community. The County was awarded a second CJMHSA Reinvestment Grant (effective March 3, 2022 through February 28, 2025) and received additional funds to be utilized for the purposes of expansion of the Helping HANDS Program. Funding was utilized to establish the HATCH Project (Helping Achieve Targeted Comprehensive Healthcare).
The County is contracted with TCHS to provide:
§ One FTE Case Manager - Services include, but are not limited to, connectivity with potential clients while in jail to coordinate a smooth transition into the program upon release, determining and verifying eligibility of program participants, assist enrolled program participants with benefit applications, assess clients for employability and provide linkage to job placement, link participants to behavioral health and transportation services, develop and implement discharge plan to complete clients’ transition into community living.
§ One FTE Housing Specialist - Services include, but are not limited to, assist clients with access to housing when possible, procure hygiene, clothing items and other items as necessary for a new residence, build relationships with local landlords who will work with individuals with a possible history of poor credit/eviction, etc.
The second CJMHSA Reinvestment Grant was recently extended to August 31, 2025. The first amendment to the contract with TCHS will extend the term of the contract to align with the grant and increase contract funding from $850,992 to $1,020,132 (an additional $169,140) utilizing unspent grant funding. This is a cost reimbursement contract for staff salaries and program expenses. The first amendment will be effective retroactively to October 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION
Request approval of the first amendment to the contract with TCHS to provide services for the HATCH Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available in the Special Revenue Grant Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Joy Johnson, Administrator, Health and Human Services Division at 863-534-5204