Approve third amendment to Agreement No. 25-56 with Environmental Alternatives dba EA Family Services to add funding in the amount of $37,600 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 for a new contract maximum of $878,713 for the period of November 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, and to add two (2) option years for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28 in an amount not to exceed $686,437 per fiscal year, for the provision of transitional housing assistance for transitional-aged youth. (No general fund impact) (Morales)

HHSA staff requests approval of the Third Amendment to the Agreement with Environmental Alternatives dba EA Family Services (EA Family Services) to add funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 and add two (2) optional years. The Agreement is funded by the Transitional Housing Program (THP), Housing Navigator Program (HNP), Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP), and Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP).

The goals of THP, HNP, HNMP and HHAP are to provide services to prevent homelessness for young adults from 18 to 24 years of age, with priority given to those formerly in the foster care and/or probation system. The goals include providing a safe living environment, while helping participants develop the life skills needed to live independently, particularly those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in finding and securing stable housing by providing comprehensive support throughout the process, including identifying available options, completing applications, overcoming barriers to housing and navigating related social services to maintain tenancy.

Overall, these funding sources support young adults, prioritizing former foster and probation youth, in securing and maintaining stable housing by providing support services and offering ongoing support to prevent homelessness once they are settled into housing.

The Agreement is for the provision of transitional housing services to young adults aged 18 to 24 years in the community to secure and maintain housing (with priority given to those in the state’s foster care or probation system). EA Family Services provides support to eligible youth through a housing navigator, social workers, and case managers. The goal is to improve coordination of services and connections to community resources within the child welfare system and the Homeless Continuum of Care.

In addition, EA Family Services conducts outreach and targeted efforts to serve those with the most severe needs. More specifically, EA Family Services works with eligible youth to identify potential housing units and assist them through the rental process to secure and maintain housing. Additionally, the Agreement includes provisions for training County Child Welfare and Probation staff who may serve the eligible target population. EA Family Services will work to build a support system by creating a regional partnership and maintaining homeless services and housing delivery networks, particularly focused on homeless youth.

Approving this amendment ensures the continuation of services without interruption to the young adults they are currently serving.  

On July 10, 2024, General Services Department (GSD), Procurement Division, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on behalf of the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) for transitional housing assistance for transitional aged youth. The solicitation was based upon the best evaluated (highest scoring) vendor and was open for 29 days, (just over 4 weeks). On July 17, 2024, County offered potential bidders an opportunity to ask questions during a bidder’s conference.

The County received five (5) proposal(s) from this solicitation (see list below). GSD completed the initial screening of all proposals for responsiveness of the RFP. All proposals were deemed responsive per the RFP requirements. All five (5) proposals were moved forward to the Review Committee, comprised of three (3) HHSA County employees.

The Review Committee evaluated the proposals and determined that the submission from Environmental Alternatives dba EA Family Services met all required qualifications to successfully provide the services, and, as the highest-scoring vendor, was selected based on the best-evaluated criteria rather than lowest price; accordingly, the County issued an Intent to Award letter on September 9, 2024, after completing the RFP evaluation process.

Additional information regarding the Competitive Bid Process is provided below, including a summary of the solicitation evaluation criteria.
Evaluation Criteria Included in RFP

The RFP estimated a project cost of $609,842 per fiscal year, with a term of up to four years, subject to the availability of funds. It also allows for any unspent funds to roll over into future fiscal years. While EA Family Services submitted a proposal totaling $568,000, the County is budgeting $686,437 for FY 2025–26 based on available funding and the potential to serve more individuals. If the contract is extended through an amendment, any remaining unspent funds will continue to roll forward, provided funds are available and expenditure deadlines permit.

Performance Measures included in this Agreement are as follows:
HHSA confirms EA Family Services are performing satisfactorily under this Agreement. Performance Measures were originally included in this Agreement and are not being revised at this time.

Updated FY25/26 Q1 Performance Measure Data is provided below: 
Total # of referrals received by EA: <11
# of participants with identified housing needs that received EA housing navigation services: <11
# of participants receiving emergency housing support services: 0
# of participants receiving other housing-related support services: <11
# of participants receiving cases management services: <11
# of youth discharged and reason for discharge from program: 0
% of individuals who exited the program into homelessness: 0%
% of youth completing Adult Needs and Strength Assessments (ANSA) within 30 days of entry to the program, every 6 months, and at discharge: 100%
% of youth completing Individualized needs and Services Plan (INSP) within 30 days of entry to the program, every 6 months, and with significant life changes: 100%
% of satisfaction surveys completed: 0% 
% of participants enrolled in EA Family Services with identified housing needs that transitioned to permanent housing: 10% 
% of individuals who exited the program into homelessness: 0%