HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgreement A-24-280 MOU with HACF.pdf Agreement No. 24-280
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING—FOSTER YOUTH TO INDEPENDENCE
This Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) has been created and entered into on June 4, 2024,
by and between the following parties in relation to their request for assistance under the Foster
Youth to Independence initiative and the requirements of Notice PIH 2O23-04.
BETWEEN
Housing Authority of the City of Fresno
1331 Fulton Street
Fresno CA, 93721
AND
County of Fresno
Through Department of Social Services
205 W. Pontiac Way
Clovis CA, 93612
Purpose:
This Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)has been created and entered into by and between
the above-mentioned parties in relation to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban
Development(HUD) Foster Youth to Independence (FYI)Program.
Introduction:
Housing Authority of the City of Fresno- Overview
The Housing Authority of the City of Fresno (HALF)was created on February 14, 1940,
by the Commission of the City of Fresno in pursuance of the "Housing Authorities Law" of the
State of California, to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing to residents of the City of
Fresno. HACF creates affordable housing through rental assistance, low-income public housing
and mixed use/tax credit developments and provides economic empowerment services to
residents in the City of Fresno.
Fresno County Department of Social Services- Overview
The Fresno County Department of Social Services (DSS) serves some of the most
ethnically and culturally diverse communities in the State of California. The programs are
designed to promote services to ensure that individuals and families will be safe, self-sufficient,
healthy, out of trouble at home, in school or at work. DSS provides employment and temporary
supportive services to individuals and families in Fresno County, while assisting them to achieve
their goal of financial self-reliance. The programs include: 1) Eligibility Programs, such as
Ca1WORKs, CalFresh, General Relief, and 2) Employment Service Programs, such as Employer
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Services and Welfare to Work. In addition, DSS administers and oversees services for seniors,
dependent adults and people with disabilities including Adult Protective Services, In-Home
Supportive services and Medi-Cal services for the Aged, Blind and Disabled.
DSS, as the Public Child Welfare Agency, oversees the Fresno County Child Welfare
Services. Child Welfare promotes a system of best practice in partnership with community
organizations committed to prevention and early intervention, which ensure child safety
permanence and stability, family well-being, which is proactive, strategic, outcomes-based, and
fiscally responsible to the children and families served.
Child Welfare Services include Adoptions, Permanency Planning, Independent Living, a
Child Abuse Hotline, Emergency Response to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect,
Linkages to coordinate case plan programs between Child Welfare and CalWORKs services,
Family Reunification which provides services to families whose children have been removed
from the home, Court ordered Family Maintenance services to safely maintain children in their
home, and Voluntary Family Maintenance which are time limited protective services to families
in crisis.
The parties hereby agree to the following:
I. Statement of Cooperation
HACF and DSS agree to cooperate with any program evaluation efforts undertaken by HUD,
U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or a HUD or HHS-approved contractor,
including compliance with HUD and HHS-approved evaluation protocols and data sharing
requests.
II. Goals and Standards of Success in administering the program.
A. Support Underserved communities: Fortify support for underserved communities
and support equitable community development for all people
B. Reduce Homelessness: Strengthen Federal, State, Tribal, and community
implementation for the Housing First approach to reducing the prevalence of homelessness, with
the ultimate goal of ending homelessness.
C. Improve Rental assistance: Improve rental assistance to address the need for
affordable housing.
III. HACF and DSS Staff Positions for FYI Liaisons
A. A HACF (Christine Muro, Assistant Director) will serve as the liaison for HACF. The
liaison will accept referrals from DSS, screen the referrals to ensure that youth provided
by DSS are eligible for HCV assistance, for administering FYI vouchers in accordance
with applicable program regulations and requirements and training DSS staff on HACF's
HCV program. HACF will also be responsible for attending meetings with DSS and
ensure that DSS staff is trained on HCV program regulatory and statutory requirements
as it relates to eligible youth.
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B. A DSS liaison(Kathleen Miller, Division Chief)will screen, sign and forward all
referrals to the HAFC FYI liaison. The liaison will monitor the FYI program for DSS and
ensure all client referrals are eligible for service and meet the required guidelines for
participation. The liaison will also ensure clients are receiving supportive services
outlined in this MOU and required by HUD guidelines. The DSS liaison will also be
responsible for ensuring appropriate staff attend meetings with HACF and ensure that
HACF staff is trained on DSS Child Welfare program regulatory and statutory
requirements including the DSS referral process.
IV. Notices
The persons and their addresses having authority to give and receive notices provided for or
permitted under this Agreement include the following:
For County of Fresno, DSS:
Attn: Director
PO Box 1912
Fresno, CA 93718
For HACF:
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
1331 Fulton Street
Fresno, CA 93721
V. Youth Eli.ig bilitX
The population eligible to be assisted under this agreement are youth certified by DSS as
meeting the following conditions:
1. Has attained at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their 251h
birthday);
2. Left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition
plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; and
3. Is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless as these terms are defined at 24 CFR 578.3
and 24 CFR 576.2, at age 16 or older.
Eligibility is not limited to single persons. For example,pregnant and/or parenting youth are
eligible to receive assistance under this notice assuming they otherwise meet eligibility
requirements.
VI. Supportive Services
DSS will provide the following supportive services for a period of 36 months to youth assisted
through this program. Youth will not be required to participate in these services as condition of
receipt of the voucher.
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A. Basic life skills information/counseling on money management, use of credit,
housekeeping,proper nutrition/meal preparation, and access to health care (e.g., doctors,
medication, and mental and behavioral health services).
B. Counseling on compliance with rental lease requirements and with HCV program
participant requirements, including assistance/referrals for assistance on security deposits,
utility hook-up fees, and utility deposits.
C. Providing such assurances to owners of rental property as are reasonable and necessary to
assist a FYI-eligible youth to rent a unit with a voucher.
D. Job preparation and attainment counseling (where to look/how to apply, dress, grooming,
relationships with supervisory personnel, etc.).
E. Educational and career advancement counseling regarding attainment of general
equivalency diploma(GED); attendance/financing of education at a technical school, trade
school or college; including successful work ethic and attitude models.
F. Provide housing search assistance to all FYI-eligible youth with an FYI-Competitive
voucher in all areas of Fresno County, including those low-income and low-poverty census
tracts as determined by the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Housing
search assistance will entail 1) neighborhood tours and 2)unit viewings.
G. Provide financial assistance resources for FYI-eligible youth to lease-up with an FYI
Competitive voucher. The eligible financial activities offered will be 1) security deposit
assistance and 2)utility startup (including utility arrears).
H. Provide post-move counseling to FYI-eligible youth in the form of 1) subsequent move
counseling if the youth decide to move a second time and 2) landlord-tenant mediation
VII. HACF Responsibilities
The HACF will be responsible for the following activities:
A. Accept youth certified by DSS as eligible for the FYI program. HACF, upon receipt of a
referral(s) from DSS of an eligible youth, HACF must compare the name(s)with youth
already on the HCV waiting list. Any youth on the HCV waiting list that matches with the
DSS's referral must be assisted in order of their position on the waiting list in accordance
with HACF's admission policies. Any youth certified by DSS as eligible and not on the
HCV waiting list must be placed on the waiting list (pending HCV eligibility
determination). If HACF has a closed HCV waiting list, it must reopen the waiting list and
place on the waiting list a FYI Competitive applicant youth who is not currently on
HACF's HCV waiting list. HACF may reopen the waiting list to accept an FYI eligible
youth without opening the waiting list for other applicants.
B. Determine if youth age 18-24 referred by DSS are eligible for HCV assistance.
C. Determine if any youth age 18 through 24 on its HCV waiting list are living in temporary
shelters or otherwise meet the definition of homeless or at-risk of homelessness and may
qualify for the FYI competitive, and refer such applicants to DSS and/or third-party entity
or COC, as applicable.
D. Amend the administrative plan in accordance with applicable program regulations and
requirements.
E. Administer the vouchers in accordance with applicable program regulations and
requirements, if needed.
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F. Upon notification that vouchers have been awarded, train DSS and applicable partner staff
on HACF's HCV program.
G. Work with DSS and applicable third-party entities to develop necessary data and tracking
metrics for tracking and improvement purposes.
H. Conduct regular meetings (at least quarterly) with DSS and/or third-party entities.
I. Document that youth are informed of their eligibility for supportive services and the
duration of the availability of those services; and
J. Comply with the provisions of the MOU.
VIII. DSS Responsibilities
DSS will be responsible for the following activities:
A. Have a system for identifying eligible youth within the agency's caseload and review
referrals from HACF and third-party partners.
B. Have a system for prioritization of referrals to ensure that youth are prioritized for a FYI
voucher based upon level of need and appropriateness of the intervention.
C. Provide written certification to HACF that a youth is eligible based upon the criteria
established in Section 8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, and the FYI
Competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity(NOFO).
D. Commit sufficient staff resources to ensure that eligible youth are identified and
determined eligible in a timely manner. DSS's active caseload must be reviewed at least
once a month (when HACF has FYI Competitive vouchers available)to identify eligible
youth and refer them to the HACF. Additionally, DSS must be prepared to provide referrals
to HACF within 30 working days of receiving notification from HACF about voucher
availability.
E. Provide or leverage follow-up supportive services listed above after the youth leases a unit,
documenting the source of funding for these services.
F. Upon notification that vouchers have been awarded, train HACF, and applicable third-party
entity staff on the work of DSS as it relates to eligible youth.
G. Conduct regular meetings (at least quarterly)with the HACF, and applicable third-party
entities; and,
H. Comply with the provisions of the MOU.
IX. Term of Agreement
This MOU is effective June 4, 2024, through September 30, 2027.
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The Parties are signing this Agreement on the date stated in the introductory clause.
Housing Authority of the City of Fresno COUNTY OF FRESNO
Tyrone Roderick Williams Nathan Magsig, Chairman of the Board of
Chief Executive Officer Supervisors of the County of Fresno
Attest:
Bernice E. Seidel
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
County of Fresno, State of California
By:
Deputy