HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140482.tiff RESOLUTION
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 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, with various agencies, commencing upon full execution of signature, and ending June
30, 2016, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said memorandum, 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 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 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 19th day of February, A.D., 2014.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
c� WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: dj„itifey G. ,:d;ci lA ,> > Niire( ice'
Dougl4 Rademac er, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board
arb�kmey ,r, Pro-Tern
BY: SLQQi (1Lo �—
Dep y Clerk to the Board
Sean P. Conway
APP ED AS TO
Mike Freer-1w
' oun yt A off rney (Z‘2 %
�..� illiam F. Garcia
Date of signature , DLQ -14 ,� / 4
nnf itSb t `
3.3 4 14 ' •,
,N tir i 2014-0482
���� HR0085
186 MEMORANDUM
JILTEL
DATE: February 13, 2014
p U N T TO: Douglas Rademacher, Chair, Board of Coun C issioners LohFROM: Judy A. Griego, Director, Huma '.e vic�� epa ment
RE: Memorandum of Understanding b tween the Weld
County Department of Human Services and Various
Providers for the Family Unification Program (FUP)
Enclosed for Board approval is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and
Various Providers for the Family Unification Program (FUP). This MOU was reviewed under
the Board's Pass-Around Memorandum dated December 5, 2013, and approved for placement on
the Board's Agenda.
This MOU assists the Department's youth who are aging out of the system to navigate the
housing process and hopefully to obtain housing. The Department will report to the court that
the youth will be working with agencies to meet the needs of the transitioning youth into
adulthood and working concurrently with the RITE program for management services.
Through United Way, the RITE program and the FUP program work together to benefit the
youth in our community.
This MOU shall be effective from the date signed and shall expire June 30, 2016. This MOU is
non-financial.
If you have any questions, give me a call at extension 6510.
2014-0482
Memorandum of Understanding- Family Unification Program
This Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)
has been created and entered into by and between the following parties.
Colorado Division of Housing(DOH)
1313 Sherman St. #323
Denver, CO 80203 and
Mile High United Way (MHUW)
Acting as Public Housing Authority (PHA)
2505 18th St. Denver, CO 80205
United Way of Weld County (Lead Rural Agency)
814 9th St., Greeley, CO 80631
Greeley/Weld Housing Authority (Supporting PHA)
903 6'h St., Greeley, CO 80632
Weld County Human Services ( Community Partner)
315 N 11th Ave., Greeley, CO 80631
Greeley Transitional House (United Way Champions Program)
1206 10th St., Greeley, CO 80631
Family Unification Program Overview and Goals
The Family Unification Program (FUP) is administrated by Bridging the Gap (BTG) at Mile High
United Way (MHUW) and Colorado Department of Local Affairs/Division of Housing (DOH), and
supported by an expanding network of collaborating partner agencies, both private and public. The
objective is to offer support to former foster youth in meeting their basic housing needs, as they
begin the challenging transition process out of foster care and into adulthood and self-sufficiency.
The BTG Program was developed in 2005 to address the challenges faced by foster youth as they
transition to adulthood. BTG focuses on serving foster youth in transition by providing
developmentally appropriate supportive services through an individualized wraparound plan,
targeting outcomes of stability, self-sufficiency and permanency through connections to critical
services including education, employment, health care, life skills, asset development, financial
literacy and housing. Independent Living Coaches (ILC) work with referring partners to support the
case management plans established by the partner agency that refers the young person to BTG for
housing support services. ILC's will provide support to youth as they settle into their new home;
will work with youth to develop their independent living plan; will facilitate wraparound teams
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(when youth choose wraparound services); and will work jointly with referring case managers to
connect youth to education, employment,physical/dental/behavioral health services as well as other
informal community supports and opportunities.
The DOH partners with thousands of private landlords and approximately 80 Housing Authorities
and Community Based Service Providers across the State to combine housing assistance with
supportive services. Housing assistance is administered as a part of the federally funded Housing
Choice Vouchers (HCV)programs.
The Family Unification Program provides an 18-month Housing Choice Voucher to eligible youth
who meet the following criteria:
a) Youth must be between the ages of 18 through 21 (not yet 22).
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 an active Case Management or Service Plan developed with the referring
partner agency.
d) Youth must pass a criminal background check.
e) 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.
At the present time FUP HCV's can be used to subsidize housing in Adams,Arapahoe, Denver,
Douglas and Jefferson Counties in addition to the counties participating in the rural collaborative
(Alamosa, Huerfano, Garfield, Montrose, Montezuma, Moffat and Weld).
Organizations and agencies that are interested in referring eligible youth should read through the
following services and responsibilities that are required (by HUD) to be provided to youth utilizing
a FUP voucher. If Lead Rural Agency can commit to the services and responsibilities outlined,
please complete the information requested in Section VI, sign the MOU and return to the BTG
Housing Coordinator at Mile High United Way.
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I. Services to be provided to FUP participants
These supportive services may be provided by the Lead Rural Agency or Community
Partner Name,through a cooperative agreement.
a) Housing search assistance: Youth will receive assistance to locate suitable housing
(appropriate, affordable and safe)that accepts the HCV (Section 8), meets the payment
standards established by DOH and will receive support and guidance as they meet with
landlords/leasing offices to rent appropriate and eligible units.Assistance will be provided
to youth 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.
b) Case management: A co-created case management or service plan will be developed and
coordinated by a single Case Manager at Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner
Name and the youth. Case Manger may seek out other community agencies to fulfill the
following services which may include all (but is not limited to)the following:
i. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. Job preparation and attainment: information/counseling on exploring potential
careers, development of workforce skills, resume writing, applying for jobs,
dressing for success, establishing good working relationships and presenting a
positive work ethic.
iv. 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.
PUP participants must demonstrate their commitment to the co-created service plan by
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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 foster care.
These supportive services may be provided by a variety of entities i.e. Chafee Program,
BTG, 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 18 months.
a) If the initial case management provided by Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner
Name cannot continue for 18 months or services end, a written notification of the situation
at hand will be submitted to the BTG Housing Coordinator with notification of the
termination of case management services. The Lead Rural Agency or Community
Partner Name Case Manager, and youth will coordinate efforts to locate another available
Case Manager to take over FUP case management services for the duration of the voucher.
b) Youth non-compliance to Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner Name 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. Additional services to be provided to FUP participants (when available):
These supportive services may be provided by Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner
Name,through a cooperative agreement made between both parties. These services may by
sought out if needed.
a) Advising: Provide advising (based on information provided to the youth and Case Manager
during the initial tenant briefing) on compliance with rental lease requirements and with
FUP HCV program participant requirements.
b) 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.
c) Support at housing appointments: Attend the youth's initial lease-up with the Rural
Housing Partner and to insure the youth is fully informed of the lease requirements prior to
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lease signing.
i. In an effort to accommodate all schedules,the Rural Housing Partner will arrange
initial lease-up appointment with the Landlord first and then with the youth and
Case Manager from Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner Name so that
the Case Manager can attend when available.
ii. Attendance at annual recertification and special inspections are encouraged.
c) 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.
d) 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.
i. Case Manager will notify the BTG Housing Coordinator of a participant
conference and will discuss concerns and next steps regarding the
conference within 48 hours of concern.
ii. Case Manager will have communication with the BTG Housing Coordinator
prior to scheduling a participant conference with youth.
IV. MHUW (acting as PHA) Responsibilities
In accordance with its contracted responsibilities as the Public Housing Authority (PHA),
MHUW will fulfill each of the following responsibilities:
a) Accept youth referred by the organization/agency for certification as eligible for the FUP.
i. Upon receipt of the application(s) for youth referred to the HCV program, MHUW
acting as the PHA will compare the names with those youth already on the PHA's
HCV waiting list.
ii. Any youth 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.
iii. Any youth referred as eligible and appropriate 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
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the PHA's waiting list.
b) Determine if youth age 18 through 21 referred are eligible for HCV assistance and place
eligible youth on the HCV waiting list.
c) Determine if youth age 18 through 21 on the HCV waiting list are living in inadequate
housing and qualify for the FUP to refer such applicants to partner organizations/agencies
for potential service delivery.
d) The PHA will update the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) forms and
database with information provided by the youth and the referring organization/agency
(only when necessary, by request and when available).
The PHA is committing to perform the following categories:
a) Removing jurisdictional barriers to mobility.
b) Owner participation in low-poverty areas.
i. Mobility assistance
ii. Pre-move and post-move counseling
iii. Housing search assistance in low-poverty areas
c) Amend the administrative plan in accordance with applicable program regulations and
requirements, if needed.
d) Administer the vouchers in accordance with applicable program regulations and
requirements.
e) Provide training to referring organization/agency staff on the PHA's HCV procedures; and
f) Conduct regular meetings (Quarterly) with partner organizations/agencies.
V. Referring Organization/Agency Responsibilities
The Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner Name will fulfill each of the following
responsibilities:
a) Establish and implement a process to identify FUP-eligible youth.
b) Through the FUP application documents, provide written certification to the PHA that a
youth qualifies as FUP-eligible.
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c) Commit sufficient staff resources to ensure that eligible youth are identified and determined
appropriate for referral
i. Provide referrals (only when caseload contains appropriate and FUP eligible
youth)to the PHA.
d) Commit sufficient staff resources to provide 18 months of follow-up supportive services/
case management to the youth once they've leased a unit.
i. This commitment must include a process to ensure a review of their active FUP
caseload regularly; documenting date of all services provided as well as 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.). Lead Rural
Agency or Community Partner Name will document ongoing progress towards
goals and will be submitted to the BTG Housing Coordinator quarterly using
attached assessment tool. Any significant or important changes that occur (as
determined by the Case Manager, i.e.: accomplishments, crises, etc.) between
quarters regarding the status of the youth should be reported to the BTG Housing
Coordinator in a timely manner, in writing via e-mail.
e) Refer youth to community resources to obtain financial assistance for security deposits,
first and last months' rent, rental insurance,utility hook-up fees and utility deposits, etc.
VI. Referring Organization/Agency Description of Services
Please see attached statement describing the services that will be provided by the (Lead Rural
Agency/Community Partners):
a.) The overall services for Weld County
b.) A brief description of the similarity of program(s) to FUP (if applicable)
i. Please include experience administering a similar program(s) including the
number of years the Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner Name has
administered a similar program.
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c.) A description of the related case management services offered by Lead
Agency/Community Partners
d.) The Lead Rural Agency, Rural Housing Partner, Community Partners, Case
Manager, and any others) Contact/liaisons
i. Please identify the staff person who will serve as the primary or lead FUP
contact/liaison
ii. Please identify the staff person/people who will provide the FUP case
management services to the FUP eligible youth
e.) Please address all items in sections I, II, and III for each of the services to be provided.
Identify who will be responsible for providing the services to FUP participants for the
duration of their FUP HCV.
f.) Commitment to attending meetings (quarterly) with the PHA, via phone or in person.
VII. Provisions
a) Lead Rural Agency'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. Lead
Rural Agency 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 PHA and DOH in good faith.
b) Mile High United Way and the Division of Housing, 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 Lead Rural Agency written notice describing the
conflict.
c) Lead Rural Agency's contact/liaison and/or Case Managers will not provide case
management services to youth in apartments or homes privately owned, leased or g p
co-
leased by Case Manager or any member of the Lead Rural Agency staff, family, board
member or committee member.
d) If either party determines they can no longer provide the required services as outlined in
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this agreement,then either party shall give written notice of such intent at least 60 days
prior to termination of MOU.
VIII. Statement of Cooperation
a) The PHA and Lead Rural Agency agree to cooperate with HUD and provide requested and
available data to HUD or HUD-approved contractor delegated the responsibility of program
evaluation.
b) The PHA and Lead Rural Agency agree to comply with the services, term of service
delivery and provisions outlined in this MOU.
IX. Term of Agreement
a) This MOU shall be effective from the date signed below and shall expire June 30th, 2016.
b) The Parties may renew this MOU July 1st, 2013 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.
Attachments:
Signed By:
d. 2 pet, >/o2cY//V
Colorado Division of Housing/Office of Homeless Youth Date
President and CEO, High United Way Date
\ / \7 \3
sid t and CEO, United Way of Weld County Date
/-2 /7 /
D ector, Greeley Transitional House Date
9
/2//7`A /1
Executive Director, Greeley-Weld Housing Authority Date
�'l� ,, FEB1 9 2014
Chair, Weld County Commissioners Date
10
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD(COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: J �+I:L_4��1G
"'� E, La gl s Rademacher, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board „p : FEB 1 g 2014
DepRy Clerk to the Boar r, 1
O NI
/ nyt rot
I
Dir c r, Wel County uman rvices Date
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Attachment for MOU Section VI
Referring Organization/Agency Description of Services
The following is a description of the services that will be provided by United Way of
Weld County, Weld County Human Services, and Greeley-Weld Housing Authority:
a.) Weld County Human Services will assist with referrals to the FUP program as well
as assist in verifying that youth who are referred meet the FUP criteria. United Way
of Weld County's Realizing Independence Through Education (RITE)program will
oversee the overall FUP process for Weld County. This includes; receiving the
initial FUP referrals, accepting the FUP participant, facilitate the referral to the
Champion(case manager) who will assist the youth in completing the application
along with the housing authority, getting the application to MHUW,host a Voucher
Approval Meeting for the youth, and facilitate the process of the youth working with
the Champion to find and get approval for an apartment. The Champion will meet
with the youth at least once a month and the Housing Authority will do an annual
inspection. The RITE program will be in communication with the Champion case
manager and MHUW throughout the process to insure the youth is meeting all of the
requirements and is able to successfully move out on their own after the 18 months.
b.) A brief description of the similarity of program(s)to FUP (if applicable)
i. Three organizations are working collaboratively to facilitate the FUP
program. United Way of Weld County's Champions program has been in
existence for over 6 years and is a collaborative case management program
for families that have been previously homeless. The case management
program assists families to set up goals and the case manager assists the
family in working towards meeting those goals. Primary areas of focus are
assisting the family in working towards or continuing to be self-sufficient.
A Champion will be assigned to each youth receiving a FUP voucher to
provide them support, guidance, and crisis management throughout the 18
months. United Way RITE staff will provide the overall facilitation of the
program as mentioned above. Michael Muskin has worked with United
Way for over 6 years and prior has been the director of three non-profits
working with youth and families. He has extensive experience working
with section 8 programs and case management. Greeley-Weld Housing
Authority will be providing the section 8 compliance. Greeley-Weld
Housing has extensive experience in this area. And Finally, Weld County
Human Services will be providing referrals for the FUP vouchers and
verifying that the youth meet the criteria. Weld County Human Services
has extensive experience with foster youth through their many years
administering the Chaffee program and overseeing the foster care program
for Weld County.
c.) A description of the related case management services is listed above.
d.) The Lead Rural Agency, Rural Housing Partner, Community Partners, Case
Manager,and any others) Contact/liaisons
i. Please identify the staff person who will serve as the primary or lead FUP
contact/liaison—Michael Muskin—United Way of Weld County RITE
Coordinator.
ii. Please identify the staff person/people who will provide the FUP case
management services to the FUP eligible youth—The Champions program
has six case managers who will be available to assist with youth who
receive FUP vouchers. Tom Teixeira is the Director for the Greeley-Weld
Housing Authority and will be contact,and Gabriel Brighton will be the
contact for Weld County Human Services.
e.) Please address all items in sections I, II, and III for each of the services to be
provided. Identify who will be responsible for providing the services to FUP
participants for the duration of their FUP HCV.—As mentioned above,Weld County
Human Services will provide referrals and verification for youth meeting FUP
criteria, RITE staff will provide the overall facilitation of the program, Champions
will provide the case management, and Greeley-Weld Housing Authority with
provide the section 8 support.
f.) Commitment to attending meetings (quarterly) with the PHA, via phone or in person.
RITE staff will commit to attending the quarterly meetings.
Clarification of Responsibilities Addendum
MHUW(acting as PHA)will commit to performing the following duties along with responsibilities
outlined in FUP MOU:
1. Enter all necessary paperwork received from the Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner
Name into the Elite Data System.
2. Give notice to Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner Name upon any change in youth
participant's rent calculations
3. Give proper written notice to youth participant and Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner
Name regarding annual reexaminations.
Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner Name will commit to performing the following duties
along with responsibilities outlined in FUP MOU:
1. Provide supportive services to youth participant as stated in section I.of the FUP MOU.
2. Coordination of initial, special, and annual Housing Quality Inspections.
3. Inform Housing Coordinator in writing with any youth participant request to add or remove a
family member to the youth participants voucher.
4. Send all documentation regarding;new admission, interim, annual reexamination, inspection,and
move documents to Housing Coordinator within 48 hours of change.
5. Inform Housing Coordinator and provide proper documentation of any evictions,mutual
rescissions,or other notices to move within 48 hours upon knowledge of situation.
6. Inform Housing Coordinator of any issues that may result in a youth participant Tenant
Conference.
The following responsibilities may be provided by MHUW (acting as PHA) or may be delivered by the
Lead Rural Agency or Community Partner Name based on Lead Rural Agency or Community
Partner Name preference:
1. Review Section 8 documentation completed by youth participant.
2. Perform rent calculations upon receiving new admission,interim,annual reexamination,
inspection, and move documentation form youth participant.
3. Provide counseling to youth participant and/or landlord upon request regarding rules and
responsibilities of Section 8 FUP program.
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