Approve agreement with Bay Area Community Services (BACS) in the amount of $1,350,000 for the period from the Effective Date through March 1, 2026 for the provision of Proposition 47 supportive housing Connections to CARE program services. (No general fund impact) (Sullivan)

Approve agreement with Bay Area Community Services (BACS) in the amount of $1,350,000 for the period from the Effective Date through March 1, 2026 for the provision of Proposition 47 supportive housing Connections to CARE program services.

Proposition 47 Grant funds target a reduction in recidivism by expanding access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and trauma-informed intensive case management, peer support, housing, and other wrap-around supportive services for adults with a history of SUD and current or recent justice system involvement, with an emphasis on individuals experiencing homelessness. The Connections to Care program (Community, Assistance, Recovery, and Engagement) aims to improve the behavioral health of participants with identified behavioral health needs through engagement in appropriate services and reduced risk/harm related to ongoing substance use; increase the self-sufficiency of participants through secured stable housing, improved income, and enrollment in health insurance; and reduce the justice system involvement for participants through prevention of further justice system involvement and diversion in which participants may have their SUD-related charge dismissed.

The target population of the Connections to Care program includes adults with a history of SUD or Co-occurring Disorders (COD) who have had recent involvement (most recent within 3 years) with the justice system, with an emphasis on individual experiencing homelessness.

BACS has become a leader in homeless prevention programs and with approval of the agreement, will be providing case management to Prop 47 Connections to CARE  program clients with an array of housing services including:

Staff requests approval of this agreement to ensure the success of the Prop 47-Connections to Care Program. The Connections to Care Program seeks to prevent recidivism by providing behavioral health intensive case management, legal assistance to clear records, Know Your Rights Workshops, and housing assistance, when needed. At the inception of the program, it was not expected that the majority of the clients would be homeless. If this agreement is not approved, it will negatively impact the success of clients in the program as they will not have a safe and stable environment to engage in intensive behavioral health case management services.  The goals of preventing recidivism and making strides to achieve functional zero homelessness will be negatively impacted. The County will be out of compliance with the requirements of the Prop 47grant.

Performance Measures included in this Agreement are as follows:
There are no current performance data for the services provided under this agreement, as it is a new agreement.  Formal performance measures are included in Attachment B. These performance measures will be tracked regarding the services provided under this agreement and will be available to this Board and the public over the length of the contract cycle. Although BACS is a new provider to Yolo County and we do not have any current data from services provided in Yolo County, the provider’s Mission is “whatever it takes” to uplift individuals, families, and communities while working to get them stably housed. In 2023, the BACS reported helping 2,820 households stay housed and they provided behavioral health crisis support to 3,173 individuals instead of utilizing emergency departments. In addition, the BACS is an expert in acquiring existing properties and creating co-op housing unit’s for individuals to be able to have permanent housing and have a forever home. Currently BACS owns 300+ units of housing (single family homes) and these units become self-sustaining as clients contribute 30% of their income towards rent for the maintenance and upkeep of the properties.

County Counsel has approved this Agreement as to form.
Department of General Services, Procurement Division
Executive Commission to Address Homelessness 

These services were initially procured via Request for Proposals (RFP) #HEALRFPDL2204. However, a year into providing services, the awarded provider terminated that agreement.

On March 25, 2024, the Yolo County Deputy Director/Manager of Procurement approved a sole source procurement for a continuation of these services with BACS. Factors considered included but were not limited to: 1) There were no other service providers that were willing to provide these services; 2) the service cost is fair, and a specific amount is allocated from the state specifically for housing services; and 3) BACS has the ability to build housing inventory in the County for our Connections to CARE program.

Without sole source approval and the approval of the agreement with BACS, the County’s ability to meet its grant requirements would be significantly hindered and may require the County to return grant funds to the State.