HomeMy WebLinkAbout20182026.tiffRESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR FAMILY UNIFICATION
PROGRAM WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES 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 Memorandum of Understanding 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 various agencies,
commencing upon the full execution of signatures and ending June 30, 2021, with further terms
and conditions being as stated in said memorandum of understanding, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said memorandum of
understanding, 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 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 various
agencies, be and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized
to sign said memorandum of understanding.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 27th day of June, A.D., 2018.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: ,f,) .4•e.
Weld County Clerk to the Board
BY:
APPR
ounty Attorney
Date of signature: '"1911`8'
Steve Moreno, Ch
it
arbara Kirkmeye ro-Tem
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can P. Conway
ike Freeman
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01-1y -IS
2018-2026
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PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 21, 2018
TO: Board of County Commissioners — Pass -Around
FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Services
RE: Family Unification Program (FUP) Memorandum
of
Understanding (MOU)
Please review and indicate if you would like a work session prior to placing this item on the
Board's agenda.
Request Board Approval of the Department's Family Unification Program (FUP)
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Department entered into a FUP MOU July 14,
2016, identified as 2016-2269, expiring June 30, 2021. That MOU identified current foster care
youth as the primary target population for services. On June 13, 2018, the State issued a new
MOU to serve identified families involved in Child Welfare and former Child Welfare youth, in
addition to current foster care youth. The new MOU also now includes language allowing
families to be served under one MOU and reflects the relationship with the local Continuum of
Care (CoC) agency, which is identified as United Way. It replaces the existing MOU identified
above.
The Family Unification Program (FUP) is administered by North Range Behavioral Health
(NRBH), acting as the Public Housing Authority's Contractor and the Colorado Department of
Local Affairs (DOLA), Division of Housing (DOH). NRBH will secure and administer Section 8
vouchers through FUP and United Way of Weld County (UWWC) will manage them.
FUP is supported by an expanding network of collaborating partner agencies and provides
support to current Child Welfare involved families and former Child Welfare youth in meeting
basic housing needs as they transition out of the child welfare system and homelessness. FUP
vouchers also are used to assist Child Welfare involved families and former Child Welfare youth
in meeting their basic housing needs as they transition from foster care into successful adulthood.
This MOU is effective July 1, 2018, and expires June 30, 2021, and is a non -financial MOU
between participating partners. It is due to the State June 30, 2018.
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Pass -Around Memorandum; June 21, 2018 — ID 1931 Page 1
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval of this Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with Chair signature.
Approve Schedule
Recommendation Work Session
Sean P. Conway
Julie A. Cozad
Mike Freeman
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Pro -Tern
Steve Moreno, Chair
rye
I
Other/Comments:
Pass -Around Memorandum; June 21, 2018 — ID 1931 Page 2
Memorandum of Understanding- Family Unification Program
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been created and entered into by and between the
following parties:
Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Housing (DOH)
Acting as Public Housing Authority (PHA)
1313 Sherman St. Room 320 Denver, CO 80203
County
Acting as Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA)
315 N. 11th Ave. Bldg. B Greeley, CO 80632
Local Housing Provider
Acting as PHA's Contractor (Contractor)
1306 11th Ave. Greeley, CO 80632
Local CoC Lead Agency
Acting as Continuum of Care (CoC)
2111 Champa St. Denver, CO 80203
And if applicable:
Community Based Organization (CBO)
Acting as Community Partner
814 9th St. Greeley, CO 80632
Family Unification Program Overview and Goals
The Family Unification Program (FUP) is administered by PHA and Contractor. FUP is supported
by an expanding network of collaborating partner agencies, including: PCWA, CoC, and CBO(s).
The objective is to offer support to current child welfare involved families and former child welfare
youth in meeting basic housing needs as they transition out of the child welfare system and
homelessness.
PHA partners with thousands of private landlords and just over 60Housing Authorities and
community based service providers across the State to combine housing assistance with supportive
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services. Housing assistance is administered as a part of the federally funded Housing Choice
Vouchers (HCV) program.
Populations to Serve
Youth: FUP currently provides 36 months of assistance through HCV to eligible youth who meet
the following criteria at entry:
a) Youth must be between the ages of 18 through 24 (not yet 25).
b) Youth must have been in a foster care/child welfare placement for at least one night on or
after their 16th birthday.
c) Youth must have ended placement or provide a letter from the referring child welfare
agency stating that their placement will end within 90 days of the referral in accordance
with their transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act.
d) Youth must have an active Case Management or Service Plan developed with the referring
partner agency for a minimum of 18 months.
e) Youth must be eligible to receive assistance through HCV through determination of the
Contractor.
f) Youth must currently lack adequate housing.
i. Lack of adequate housing includes living in substandard or dilapidated housing,
being homeless, living in transitional housing, displaced by domestic violence,
living in an overcrowded unit, in imminent danger of losing housing, or living in
housing not accessible due to the nature of a disability.
Family: FUP currently provides a non -time limited voucher through HCV to eligible families who
meet the following criteria at entry:
a) Families must be referred from the PCWA and be certified as a family for whom the lack
of adequate housing is a primary factor in the imminent placement of the family's child (or
children) in out -of -home care, or in the delay of discharge of a child (or children) to the
family from out -of -home care.
b) Families must be eligible to receive assistance through HCV through determination of the
Contractor.
Should the HUD regulations change with regard to FUP criteria and/or duration the PHA,
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Contractor and PCWA shall comply with new guidelines.
Statement of Cooperation/Commitment
All parties agree to cooperate with HUD by providing requested data to HUD or HUD -approved
contractor delegated the responsibility of program evaluation and by following all evaluation
protocols established by HUD or HUD -approved contractor, including possible random assignment
procedures.
a) PHA, Contractor, and PCWA are committed to administering the program as described in
this MOU and HUD NOFA for 2017-2018 Fiscal Years
b) CoC is committed to cooperating with and assisting the PHA and PCWA with referrals to the
program.
I. Services to Provide
Organizations and agencies interested in referring eligible youth should read through the
following services and responsibilities. Outlined services and responsibilities are required (by
HUD) to be provided to youth/families utilizing a FUP voucher. If PCWA, Contractor, and/or
CBO can commit to the services and responsibilities outlined, please complete the information
requested in Section VII, sign the MOU and return to PHA.
a) To all FUP participants
These supportive services may be provided by the Contractor, PCWA or CBO.
i. Housing search assistance: Youth/families will receive assistance to locate
suitable housing (appropriate, affordable, and safe) that accepts the HCV (Section
8), meets the payment standards/rent reasonableness established by PHA.
Youth/families will also receive support and guidance as they meet with
landlords/leasing offices to rent appropriate and eligible units. Assistance will be
provided to youth/families through their lease up process, including non -legal
review of lease provisions (when a lease is provided) prior to the signature process
at leasing appointment. The PHA will provide technical assistance to Contractor,
PCWA, or CBO to help improve their housing search assistance tools when
requested or data demonstrates a community need.
ii. Compliance: Provide advising (based on information provided to participant
during the initial tenant briefing) on compliance with rental lease requirements
and with FUP HCV program participant requirements.
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iii. Assurances: Providing such assurances to owners of rental property as are
reasonable and necessary to assist FUP-eligible youth/families rent a unit with a
FUP voucher.
iv. Financial assistance: Provide referrals to community resources for financial
assistance for security deposits, utility hook-up fees and utility deposits. Financial
assistance for these costs can be provided by or obtained through various
community resources.
v. Support at housing appointments: Attend initial lease -up with the Contractor to
ensure participant is fully informed of the lease requirements prior to lease
signing.
o In an effort to accommodate all schedules, the Contractor will arrange
initial lease -up appointment with the Landlord first and then all relevant
parties from the PCWA and Community Partner in an attempt to ensure
attendance when available.
o Attendance at annual recertification and special inspections are
encouraged.
vi. Tenant briefing: Attend one (1) initial tenant briefing (either a training designed
for referring partners/Case Managers or their youth's initial tenant briefing) to
become familiar with the material presented to the youth regarding the FUP HCV
program participant requirements.
vii. Support at participant conferences: Attend (in person or by phone) any participant
conferences (typically scheduled when significant issues arise) that could result in
eviction or termination from the voucher) for FUP youth participants. The
Contractor will make every effort to schedule participant conferences around the
Case Manager's availability.
viii. Coordinated Entry: All youth should be encouraged to complete the Housing
Assessment for the community's Coordinated Entry Process.
b) Services to be provided to FUP Youth participants
Services are to be provided to youth for a minimum of 18 months to FUP-eligible youth
regardless of age. If the youth is not eligible to be served by PCWA or CBO because of age,
other supports are required to be identified through the process detailed in sections III(a) and
VI(d) of this MOU.
i. Case management: A co -created case management or service plan will be developed
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by the Case Manager at Contractor, PCWA or CBO and the youth which may
include all (but is not limited to) the following services:
o Basic life skills: information/counseling on money management, budgeting,
use of credit, housekeeping, proper nutrition/meal preparation, utilizing
public transportation, being a good neighbor, establishing healthy
relationships, parenting, substance use/abuse and accessing health care (e.g.,
doctors, Medicaid eligibility, medication, and mental and behavioral health
services) and public/human services.
o Educational advancement: information/counseling regarding attainment of
high school or general equivalency diploma (GED), applying for and
enrolling in post -secondary learning opportunities (technical/vocational, two
& four-year college) and educational financing. Additional
information/counseling about work ethic and attitude models may be
provided to youth.
o Job preparation and attainment: information/counseling on exploring
potential careers, development of workforce skills, resume writing, applying
for jobs, dressing for success, grooming habits, establishing good working
relationships and presenting a positive work ethic.
o Community connections: facilitate introductions to various supportive
community based services, support connections to informal resources, help
identify and support permanent family and/or community relationships and
resources.
FUP participants must demonstrate their commitment to the co -created service plan by signing
their name and agreeing to attend counseling/training sessions and to take other actions as
deemed appropriate to the youth's successful transition from the child welfare system.
These supportive services may be provided by a variety of entities, such as Chafee Program of
PCWA, Contractor, CBO, workforce centers, mental health agencies, social services and/or
other youth -serving organizations.
II. Term of services to be provided to FUP participants
Organizations/agencies referring youth for the FUP HCV are asked to provide supportive services
for a period not to exceed the duration of the voucher.
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a) If the initial case management provided by PCWA/referring agency cannot continue for the
duration of the voucher program or services end, a written notification of the situation at hand
will be submitted to the Contractor with notification of the termination of case management
services. The PCWA, Contractor, and CBO and youth will coordinate efforts to locate
another available case management agency to take over FUP youth case management services
for the duration of the voucher.
b) Youth non-compliance with PCWA, Contractor, or CBO case management or service
delivery plan does not constitute a reason for discontinuance or termination of lease/housing.
Please refer to the "Statement of Understanding" document for a listing of possible reasons for
program termination.
III. PHA Responsibilities
The PHA is committing to perform the following responsibilities:
a) Amend the administrative plan in accordance with applicable program regulations and
requirements, if needed.
b) Administer the vouchers in accordance with applicable program regulations and requirements.
c) Provide training to referring organization/agency staff on the PHA's HCV procedures.
d) Conduct regular meetings (at least quarterly) with all MOU partner organizations/agencies.
e) Comply with the provisions of this MOU.
IV. Contractor Responsibilities
In accordance with and in addition to its contracted responsibilities as the PHA's Contractor,
Contractor will fulfill each of the following responsibilities:
a) Accept youth/families referred by the PCWA, CoC, and CBO for certification as eligible for
the FUP.
i. Upon receipt of the application(s) for youth/families referred to FUP, Contractor
will compare the names with those youth/families already on the PHA's HCV
waiting list.
ii. Any youth/family referred to FUP and on the PHA's HCV waiting list must be
assisted in order of their position on the waiting list in accordance with the PHA's
admission policies.
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iii. Any youth/family referred as eligible and not on the HCV waiting list must be
placed on the waiting list. If the PHA has a closed HCV waiting list, it must reopen
the waiting list to accept a FUP eligible youth who is not currently on the PHA's
waiting list.
b) Determine if referred youth/families are eligible for HCV assistance and place eligible
applicants on the HCV waiting list.
c) Determine if possible youth/families on the HCV waiting list are living in inadequate housing
and may qualify for FUP; refer such applicants to PCWA for eligibility determination and
potential service delivery.
d) Provide housing services (tenant briefing, income calculation, Housing Inspections, etc.) to all
youth/families that are selected for assistance.
e) Where applicable; the Contractor will update the Homeless Management Information Systems
(HMIS) forms and database with information provided by the youth and the referring
organization/agency.
f) Administer the voucher in accordance with applicable program regulations and requirements.
g) Attend regular (at least quarterly) meetings with all MOU partners.
h) Comply with the provisions of this MOU.
V. PCWA Responsibilities
The PCWA is committing to perform the following responsibilities:
a) Establish and implement a system to identify and verify eligibility of FUP-eligible
youth/families on their case load or as referred by Contractor. Identify a system to document
eligibility to be stored in the tenant's file.
i. For families, referrals should be made for priority families with an open case along
with a substantiated report of child abuse and neglect, and whose children are
already:
o in out -of -home care
o at high risk for experiencing additional negative child welfare
outcomes (e.g., long-term open cases, reentry to the child welfare
system in the form of re -reports of abuse or neglect, and repeat open
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cases)
o where housing assistance could help the parent(s) to stabilize and
participate in any other services necessary for subsequent
reunification.
o Referrals should be made as soon as the family is identified and not
only upon successful completion of other aspects of families' case
management plans.
ii. For youth, this system should include youth who are between the ages of 18-24
(when possible) that are not currently within the agency's caseload. Mostly likely
this will be in conjunction with CoC or other referring agency.
iii. Share the system with all MOU partners to ensure everyone is aware of the process
in place and train MOU partners on PCWA's system.
b) Through the FUP application documents, provide written certification to the Contractor that a
youth/family qualifies as FUP-eligible.
i. The criteria for FUP-eligibility is established in Section 8(x) of the United States
Housing Act of 1937, and the Family Unification Program Notice of Funding
Availability for Fiscal Year 2017 and 2018.
c) Commit sufficient staff resources to ensure that eligible youth/families are identified and
determined eligible for referral in a timely manner.
i. At a minimum, time should be set aside monthly to review current caseloads and
determine eligibility for any referred family/youth from the CoC or other partner.
ii. Provide referrals of eligible youth/families to the Contractor within 30 working
days of receiving notification from the Contractor about voucher availability.
d) Commit sufficient staff resources to provide follow-up supportive services/case management to
youth recipients after they lease a unit, documenting the source for funding for these services
during the youth's eligibility. If youth becomes unable to receive services through your agency,
documentation on attempts to find and connect youth to other services will be provided.
i. This commitment must include a process to ensure that PCWA/CBO reviews their
active FUP caseload regularly; documenting date of all services provided as well as
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attempts to provide services for youth (include all attempts with non -compliant
youth).
ii. A signed copy of the youth's case management/service plan, independent living plan
or Trails contact notes (Trails is a client/server-based statewide system that supports
the workloads of caseworkers and administrators and includes information regarding
intake, eligibility, resource management, court processing, case management,
facilities management, financial management, etc.).
i. Any significant or important changes that occur (as determined by the
Case Manager, i.e.: accomplishments, crises, etc.) regarding the status
of the youth should be reported to the Contractor in a timely manner,
in writing via e-mail.
e) Attend regular meetings (at least quarterly) with all MOU partner organizations/agencies.
f) Comply with all provisions of this MOU.
VI. CoC Responsibilities
The CoC is committing to perform the following responsibilities:
a) Integrate the prioritization and referral process for FUP-eligible youth into the CoC's
Coordinated Entry Process.
b) Identify services to be provided using CoC program funds to youth/families who qualify for
CoC program assistance.
c) Attend regular meetings (at least quarterly) with all MOU partner organizations/agencies.
d) Comply with all provisions of this MOU.
VII. MOU Attachment: Referring Organization/Agency Description of Services
Please attach a statement describing the services that will be provided by the PCWA, Contractor,
or CBO:
a) The overall services offered by PCWA, Contractor, and/or Community Partner (please
include service delivery county)
b) A description of the related case management services offered by PCWA, Contractor, and/or
CBO for youth/families (as applicable).
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c) How PCWA, Contractor, and/or CBO will deliver or arrange for each of the services to be
provided to FUP participants for the duration of their FUP HCV (please address all items in
Sections I, II & III) including an alternative agency in the event of age limits to accessing
service provision.
VIII. Provisions
a) PCWA, Contractor, and/or CBO's FUP contact/liaison and Case Managers confirm that none
of the owners, agency staff, board members, board committee members, or any member of
his/her family might benefit or appear to benefit personally or financially from any referrals
made to the FUP HVC program, services provided or property leased. PCWA, Contractor,
and/or CBO's contact/liaison and Case Managers should not accept any gift, entertainment,
service, loan, or promise of future benefits from any FUP eligible youth, youth's family/friend,
landlord, etc. unless the facts of such benefit, gift, service, or loan are disclosed to the
Contractor and DOH in good faith.
b) PHA and Contractor, in their sole discretion, will determine the existence of a conflict of
interest and may terminate the MOU in the event a conflict exists, after it has given the PCWA,
CBO written notice describing the conflict.
c) PCWA, Contractor, and/or CBO's contact/liaison and/or Case Managers will not provide
case management services to youth in apartments or homes privately owned, leased or co -
leased by Case Manager or any member of the PCWA, Contractor, and/or CBO's staff,
family, board member or committee member.
d) If either party determines they can no longer provide the required services as outlined in this
agreement, then either party shall give written notice of such intent at least 60 days prior to
termination of the MOU.
IX. Term of Agreement
a) This MOU shall be effective from the date signed below and shall expire June 30th, 2021.
b) The Parties may renew this MOU July 1st, 2021 subject to mutual agreement. Each Party
reserves the right to elect not to renew the MOU after expiration of the current term. If any
Party does not intend to renew the MOU, it shall give notice of such intent at least thirty (30)
days prior to expiration of the Agreement.
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X. Current Lead FUP Liaison
a) PHA: Cheryl Secorski, Homeless Programs Specialist, Youth
b) Contractor: Larry Pottorff, Chief Executive Officer
c) PCWA: Judy Griego, Director
d) CoC: Melanie Falvo, Co -Chair (BoS CoC Governing Board)
e) CBO: Jeannine Truswell, President and Chief Executive Officer
MOU Signed By:
Steve Moreno, Chair, BOCC
JUN 2 7 2013
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