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<br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 19, 2018 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-i <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Contract between Social Services and the Interfaith Council <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> <br />Nancy Coston, 919-245-2802 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />PURPOSE: To approve and authorize the Manager to sign a contract combining the existing <br />outside agency contract with a new contract between the Department of Social Services (DSS) <br />and Interfaith Council (IFC) to provide emergency assistance to Orange County residents. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: During the recent reviews of outside agency proposals, DSS staff analyzed <br />data outlining emergency rent and utility payments made by DSS and two other organizations – <br />IFC and Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM). The frequency and amount of assistance <br />varied between the three organizations and often DSS funds were combined with IFC or OCIM <br />funds due to the total amount needed to alleviate the crisis. Both IFC and OCIM receive County <br />and other funds for emergency payments including funds for rent and water bills. <br /> <br />After meeting with each organization, DSS is proposing contracting with each of them to provide <br />assistance with water bills and rental assistance using standardized amounts and frequencies. <br />The new plan should improve the experience for County residents since IFC or OCIM will be <br />able to combine funds and pay a higher amount to alleviate a crisis and receive reimbursement <br />for some of the costs from DSS. This will be more efficient since this payment can be generated <br />without workers from the agencies needing to discuss the joint plan. At times, that process can <br />be difficult and can result in delays and cause hardships for the persons being served. This plan <br />also promotes standard payments and assistance, regardless of a family’s geographic location. <br /> <br />DSS will continue to provide emergency payments for individuals involved in agency social work <br />programs such as child welfare and adult services. <br /> <br />To improve overall coordination, IFC will receive one contract from Orange County administered <br />by DSS. This will include the funds approved during the outside agency process and the funds <br />provided for emergency assistance through DSS. Funds from the DSS budget for emergency <br />assistance will include both reimbursement for client payments and administrative costs. <br /> <br />1