HomeMy WebLinkAboutExceptional Parents Unlimited-Community Health Outreach Supprt Services COVID-19 Equity Project_D-20-430 Ratification (2).pdfBoard Agenda Item 70
DATE:December 15, 2020
TO:Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY:David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT:Ratification of Agreement with Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. for COVID-19
Equity Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Ratify Agreement with Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. for the COVID-19 Equity Project,
previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services
Director, effective September 30, 2020 through December 30, 2020, with option to extend two
additional consecutive six-month periods ($1,737,043)
Approval of the recommended action will ratify the agreement to implement the COVID-19 Equity Project
(CEP), which will provide outreach and support services to address the needs of the County’s vulnerable
populations and help improve voluntary compliance to contain the spread of COVID-19. The vulnerable
populations include disabled, have special needs, and are hearing or vision impaired. The agreement with
Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. (EPU) is funded with a portion of the County’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocation. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board choose not to ratify the agreement, the Department would need to solicit additional
proposals for similar services to meet the critical needs to this specific venerable population. However, a
delay would cause detrimental effects of unknown scope especially as the Department and the community
continues preparation for the flu season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum
compensation ($1,737,043) will be fully funded with a portion of the County’s CARES Act allocation through
December 30, 2020, when the funding expires. The funding supports personnel, operating, direct and
indirect costs ($1,076,378) and subcontracts ($660,665). There are no outstanding invoices pending
related to this agreement. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s
Org 5620 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On March 15, 2020, the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director,
proclaimed a local emergency to increase response capacity for the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 17,
2020, your Board proclaimed and ratified the local emergency due to the imminent and proximate threat of
COVID-19.
Page 1 County of Fresno File Number: 20-1274
File Number: 20-1274
The County has been overwhelmed with increasing transmission and hospitalization rates. As of October
30, 2020, over 30,000 residents have been infected, and 430 people have died in the County. These
numbers are expected to continue to rise with continual community spread as the economy, reopening of
schools, and strengthening health systems are stabilized.
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department to provide targeted outreach and support to
vulnerable populations including residents who are disabled, have special needs, and are hearing or vision
impaired. In addition, approval will help create widespread community messaging through trusted
community leaders to enable and improve voluntary compliance to contain the spread of COVID-19,
especially among high risk residents who face challenges to testing, isolation, sheltering in place and other
containment and mitigation measures.
Through the agreement, the Department seeks to mobilize and build upon the unique community ties the
coalition partners have developed over years of working directly with vulnerable residents of the County. The
CEP includes a coalition of community-based organizations to provide equal access for individuals with
disabilities, hearing and vision impairments, as well as those with functional needs.
August 3, 2020, the Department received an initial narrative proposal from EPU on and refined the proposal
to include specific outcomes and structure within the scope of work activities. The activities include
identified data analysis parameters and ongoing tracking of funds disbursed to support individuals through
quarantine. The Department has established guidelines to direct approximately 42.78% of the funding to
education and outreach activities, 34.25% to direct resident quarantine support, and 17.29% to contact
tracing activities to supplement departmental operations. The Department will continue to review and
approve all scope of work plans developed by the CEP prior to full implementation and will approve all media
and materials prior to publication to ensure cohesive, unified messaging.
The agreement contains non-standard language allowing the contractors to request an advance payment of
up to 24% of their maximum compensation to quickly onboard subcontractors. The agreement also contains
a mutual Without-Cause termination clause upon 30 days advance written notice, a budget Modification
clause allowing the Director to approve line item changes of up to 10% of the maximum compensation, and
a clause allowing the Director to approve subcontracts with additional community benefit organizations.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with EPU
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa
Page 2 County of Fresno File Number: 20-1274