HomeMy WebLinkAbout20093121.tiffRESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR FAMILY UNIFICATION
PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a Memorandum of Understanding for the
Family Unification Program between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the
Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services,
and the Weld County Housing Authority, commencing upon full execution, with terms and
conditions being as stated in said memorandum, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said memorandum, a
copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, that the Memorandum of Understanding for the Family Unification Program
between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, and the Weld
County Housing Authority be, and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to
sign said memorandum
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by
the following vote on the 30th day of November, A.D., 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD CO TY, COLORADO
ATTEST:
Weld County Clerk to
BY
Deputy Cle to the Bo
APPROn4D AS TOt
L
County Attorney
Date of signature. /,y/ow9
William F. Garcia, Chair
Sean P. Conway
EXCUSED
Barbara Kirkmeyer
David E. Long
2009-3121
HR008
/5'4i, a'y
MEMORANDUM
fi*t DATE: November 24, 2009
IIIID TO. William F. Garcia, Chair, Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Servic s Depaittmen "
•
COLORADO RE:
Memorandum of Understanding for the Family Unification
Program between the Weld County Department of Human
Services' and the Housing Authority of Weld County
Enclosed for Board approval is the Memorandum of Understanding for the Family Unification
Program between the Department and the Housing Authority of Weld County. The Family
Unification Program was discussed at the Board's November 16, 2009, Work Session and at
their Board meeting on November 23, 2009. The Board formally approved changes to the
Housing Authority's Administration Plan for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to
allow for the operation of the Family Unification Program.
This Memorandum of Understanding formalizes the relationship in operating the Family
Unification Program between the Department and the Housing Authority. The goals of the
Family Unification Program are:
1. To ensure that rental assistance payments help clients who are involved with the child welfare
system to find affordable and decent housing in a safe and supportive environment.
2. To ensure that children who remain with their families or who are reunited with their families
are safe and secure and not subject to neglect as a result of homelessness or inadequate
housing.
3. To ensure that youth who have left the foster care system live in stable housing and receive
services needed to transition to adulthood.
If you have any questions, give me a call at extension 6510.
2009-3121
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM
This Memorandum of Understanding, made and entered into the 30`h day of November 2009, by and between
the County of Weld, a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County
Commissioners of the County of Weld, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services,
Hereinafter referred to as WCDHS and the Housing Authority of Weld County, hereinafter referred to as
HAWC.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Housing Authority of Weld County (HAWC) and
Weld County Department of Human Services (WCDHS) regarding the implementation of the Family
Unification Program (FUP).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, required approval, clearance and coordination has been accomplished from and with
appropriate agencies: and
WHEREAS, the County of Weld has provided Human Services fund resources for education, training,
and support services for Weld County's low-income families; and
WHEREAS, positive youth development and the strengthening of families are major goals for
Colorado including Weld County; and
WHEREAS, meeting the needs of at -risk youth and their families in Weld County is a critical issue;
Goals of the Family Unification Program
To ensure that rental assistance payments help clients who are involved with the child welfare system find
affordable and decent housing in a safe and supportive environment; and,
To ensure that children who remain with their families or who are reunited with their families are safe and
secure and not subject to neglect as a result of homelessness or inadequate housing and,
To ensure that youth who have left the foster care system live in stable housing and receive services needed to
transition to adulthood.
The HAWC and the WCDHS have also agreed to work together to achieve the following goals to the
maximum extent possible:
• To empower clients to resolve their own problems and effectively utilize service systems,
• To empower families to advocate for their children with schools, public and private agencies, and other
community institutions;
• To ensure that problems are identified as early as possible and engage clients in a change process to
remedy these problems;
• To involve the community in identifying community -based services, expand those services, and where
necessary, advocate for new service programs; and,
• To prevent child abuse and neglect and prevent unnecessary separation of children from their families;
and,
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• To help youth transition to adulthood.
The program will be deemed successful if it meets the following standards:
At least 70% of the children threatened with separation from their families or reunited with their families
remain together in their subsidized unit for six months.
At least 65% of the children threatened with separation from their families or reunited with their families
remain together in their subsidized unit for one year.
At least 65% of the children threatened with separation from their families or reunited with their families
remain together for two years.
• At least 70% of youth who have left the foster care system live in their Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
subsidized unit for 18 months.
1. Eligibility Criteria for the FUP Vouchers
Because the number of FUP vouchers is limited, the WCDHS will not be able to refer all clients to the
HAWC that meet the eligibility requirements listed below for a FUP voucher.
a. The WCDHS has found the family to be one for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary
factor in the imminent placement of a family's child in out -of -home care, or in the delay of reuniting
a child who is in out -of -home care with the family; and,
b. In cases where the family's child is currently placed in care, the WCDHS determined that the child
will be returned within 60 days.
c. A youth who is between the ages of 18 and 21 years of age, who left the foster care system at the
age of 16 or later and who does not have adequate housing.
d. The HAWC has determined that the client is eligible for the HCV program.
2. The Role and Responsibilities of HAWC
a. Make changes in the administrative or equal opportunity plan where necessary;
b. If the waiting list is closed, open the waiting list to accept FUP eligible applicants referred by the
WCDHS.
c. Determine if any families or youth on the waiting list may be eligible for FUP.
d. Share their HCV waiting list with the WCDHS to see if any clients on the HCV waiting list are eligible
for FUP.
e. Accept referrals certified by the WCDHS as eligible for PUP.
f Determine whether the clients referred by the WCDHS are already on the HCV waiting list.
g. Determine whether the clients referred by the WCDHS are eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher
(HCV) program. If the client is eligible, the HAWC will place the client on the HCV waiting list. If the
client is not eligible for the HCV program, the HAWC will notify the WCDHS and the client. The
HAWC will notify the applicant that they have the right to appeal this decision.
h. Award HCV to eligible FUP applicants.
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i. Administer the HCV as described in applicable rules and procedures
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Expedite the process for third party verifications of a client's income and eligibility to the maximum
extent possible.
k. Provide briefing sessions for FUP participants.
I. Notify the WCDHS when a participant is terminated from the program.
m. If the HCV subsidy to any FUP client is terminated, the HAWC will reissue the voucher to another
client eligible for FUP.
n. Maintain quality program data for future program evaluation;
3. The Role and Responsibilities of the WCDHS and Anticipated Service Hours Committed to Clients
Referred to FUP
Services to be provided to Youth by WCDIIS:
a. Basic life skills information/counseling.
b. Counseling on compliance with rental lease requirements and with FUP requirements.
c. Job preparation and attainment counseling.
d. Education and career advancement counseling.
e. Referrals to community resources, including mental health, substance abuse and domestic
violence, as needed and as appropriate.
f. Assistance to youth in locating housing units and working with landlords.
g. Crisis intervention.
h. Case management/counseling.
i. Referrals for childcare, as appropriate.
j. These services will be provided to 6 to 8 youth.
k. WCDHS will spend 1 to 2 hours per week per youth.
Services to be provided to Families by WCDHS:
a. Crisis intervention.
b. Case management/counseling.
c. Referrals to child care.
d. Referrals to adult education.
e. Referrals to life skills, including parenting classis, vocational training, ets.
f Referrals to mental and physical health care.
g. Referrals to community resources, including mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence,
as needed and as appropriate.
h. These services will be provided to 10 families.
i. WCDHS will spend Ito 3 hours per week per family.
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4. Service Plan for Clients Certified for FUP
The WCDHS will work with the client to develop a service plan to help meet the needs of the client referred
to FUP.
WCDHS Responsibilities:
a. Notify potentially eligible clients of the Family Unification Program (FUP) and ask appropriate
clients if they would like WCDHS to refer them to the Housing Authority of Weld County.
b. Identify clients who are at risk and meet the eligibility requirements.
c. Provide written clarification that the client meets the FUP requirements.
d. Contact housing if/when the child/family no longer meets FUP criteria.
e. Assist child/youth in locating housing units and work with landlords to secure appropriate, eligible
units.
f Provide follow-up services for up to three months.
g. Provide Housing Authority of Weld County with the anticipated date that the child(ren) will be
returned to the family's care for child(ren) who are in out -of -home care.
h. WCDHS will ensure that each youth/family signs a service plan with their caseworker agreeing to
comply with all requirements.
i. The assigned caseworker will be responsible for the delivery of services as outlined in the service
plan.
j. WCDHS, along with the Housing Authority of Weld County will maintain and update statistical
reports on clients in the program.
k. WCDHS, along with the Housing Authority of Weld County will provide training to staff about this
program.
5. Housing Assistance Provided by the HAWC to Family Unification Program Clients
The WCDHS worker will provide housing advocacy services to family and/or youth clients who have been
referred to the HAWC for a FUP voucher to help the client obtain housing. This may include some or all of
the following services.
a. apartment search techniques;
b. lists of property managers who may have units available;
c. lease negotiations;
d. housing discrimination;
e. housing quality standards; and,
F counseling on tenant's rights and responsibilities.
The WCDHS anticipates that the WCDHS worker will spend 1 to 3 service hours assisting each client who
receives a FUP HCV locate appropriate housing.
After the client obtains housing, the WCDHS worker will follow up with the tenant monthly to help the
client remain stable in their housing. The WCDHS anticipates that the WCDHS will spend 12 to 36 service
hours a year on follow up services for each client housed through FUP.
In addition to the housing advocacy services provided by the WCDHS worker, the HAWC will provide
briefing sessions for clients approved for a FUP HCV which will include information to help the client
obtain appropriate housing.
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6. WCDHS's Past Experience Administering Similar Programs
The WCDHS has a long history of successful partnerships with housing authorities in Weld County.
The WCDHS has worked with HAWC to assist clients applying for and to remain stable in housing
programs, including the HCV and public housing programs in Weld County. The WCDHS has also
assisted clients apply for or remain stable in private subsidized housing programs as well.
The WCDHS has a long history of identifying clients who have children who are in danger of being
placed in, or who cannot be returned home from, the WCDHS's care due to inadequate housing. The
WCDHS has provided services to help youth transition to adulthood including assistance locating and
maintaining housing. The WCDHS's workers are familiar with providing services to assist their clients
locate, obtain and maintain appropriate housing.
7. Past WCDHS and HAWC Cooperation Administering Similar Programs
The WCDHS has worked with the HAWC to house clients with open WCDHS cases. These clients are
served in both the PHA's HCV and public housing programs. Some of those clients received the services
explained above to locate and remain stable in permanent housing subsidized by one of the PHA's programs.
The HAWC has referred families/individual clients in need of WCDHS service and worked with
caseworkers.
8. Services Provided by the WCDHS to Youth FUP Clients
The WCDITS agrees to provide services to youth clients referred to FUP for at least the I8 months that they
receive assistance through the FUP voucher. The HAWC will offer to provide the youth, or refer the youth
to programs that can provide the following services:
a. Basic life skills counseling which will include education on money management, house keeping, proper
nutrition, meal preparation and how to access both physical and mental health care.
b. Tenant counseling, which will include counseling on tenant's rights and responsibilities.
c. Assistance or referrals to programs that provide assistance, with security deposits and/or utility deposits.
Will also provide assurance, to property managers of the availability of this assistance for the youth.
d. Job preparation and attainment counseling
e. Education and career advancement counseling and services
f. Assessments and the development of individual case plans
g. Assurances to property managers that these services will be provided.
The WCDHS agrees to involve the youth both in the development and the implementation of the service
plan used to transition into adulthood.
9. Coordination of FUP and Cross Training of HAWC and THE WCDHS Staff
The HAWC and the WCDHS will each appoint a liaison to handle ail referrals to the program. Each liaison
will be the point of contact for the other agency.
The HA WC and the WCDHS will jointly staff an Advisory Committee to review program utilization, client
service needs and program evaluation as well as offer changes to the program to better meet the needs of the
FUP clients.
The HAWC will offer training to designated WCDHS staff as it relates to the HCV program. Cross training
from WCDHS will be offered to the HAWC staff to describe WCDHS mandates and procedures regarding
family preservation and family reunification including any specific programs targeted at families whose
children met criteria I.a. and I .b. or youth who meet criterion I.c. of this MOU. Training topics will
include, but not limited to, child abuse and neglect reporting, interagency referrals, certification of eligible
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clients and timely provisions of services.
10. Coordination of FUP with other Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Funded Programs
The HAWC and the WCDHS will coordinate FUP service programs with other DHHS and HUD funded
programs, such as the HUD Family Self Sufficiency Program, so that successful family unification may be
achieved using all available resources and youth will transition to adulthood successfully.
11. The WCDHS and HAWC Reporting on Clients in FUP
a. Both the HAWC and the WCDHS will maintain and update statistical reports on clients in the program.
This data will be made available to HUD, DHHS, and any official HUD evaluation.
b. The reports will include demographic data, client service needs, service and utilization information.
c. Reports will be prepared on initial occupancy on the clients and at three-month intervals for at least
eighteen months.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed the Agreement as of
the day, month, and year first above written.
ATT
Weld County Clerk to the Board
By: ' i itOtr—f.
Deputy Clerk td [he Board
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/ t County Ahorney t
APPROVED AS TO SUBSTANCE:
BY:
Judy A. l riegok irector
Weld County Department o
Human Services
APPROVED AS TO SUBSTANCE:
BY
Thomas Teixeira, Executive Director,
Housing Authority of Weld County
COUNTY OF WELD COLORADO, BY AND
THROUGH THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF WELD,
ON BEHALF OF THE WELD COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WELD
COUNTY.
BY
William F. Garcia, Chairman
NOV 3 C., 2009
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