Staff Report — Simi Valley City Council, November 7, 2022

CITY OF SIMI VALLEY

MEMORANDUM
Nov
ember 7, 2022
TO: Cit
y Council
FR
OM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJ
ECT: APPROVAL OF A COVID-19 COMMUNITY RECOVERY GRANT

CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY AND INTERFACE

CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council approve the COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant contract (page 6) between the City of Simi Valley and Interface Children & Family Services (Interface) for a not t o exceed amount of $ 250,555 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated $15,325,294 to the City of Simi Valley.

The ARPA has specific categories and uses for utilization of the funds, in addition to offsetting revenue losses that may have been encountered by the City as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 9, 2022, the City Council approved the distribution of the ARPA funds to various projects as identified in the Project List in compliance with the ARPA “Final Rule.”
The ARPA Final Rule allows cities to claim ARPA funds to offset revenue losses; which funds are then transferred to the City’s General Fund and used for various purposes. The City has already claimed $10 million as a standard deduction, and on August 22, 2022, City Council approved the claiming of an additional $3.7 million in ARPA funds as revenue loss. Although estimates are preliminary in nature, staff is anticipating that the City will be able to claim the full ARPA allocation (an additional $1.6 million) as revenue loss after Calendar Year 2022 concludes.

ARPA funds claimed for revenue loss, and subsequently transferred to the General Fund, are expended as General Fund monies and not ARPA funds. Once ARPA funds are deemed as loss revenue, public agencies c an utilize funds for general services such as health and public services and agencies have the most discretion for the use of funds. Given the nature and purpose of the various classifications in the approved Project List, staff determined that distribution of these funds could be achieved through the creation of a COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Program as funding designations greatly assist both t
he non-p rofits and
AGENDA ITEM NO.

9A
agencies that serve Simi Valley residents and businesses who continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Staff i s r ecommending that t he C ity C ouncil a pprove the C OVID-19 C ommunity Recovery Grant contract with Interface Children & Family Services.

FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
On May 9, 2022, the City Council approved a list of projects to allocate the ARPA funds.

The project list also identified potential recipients of the funds based on organizations that have been impacted by COVID -19 or provide services to those that have been and continue to be affected by COVID -19. Now utilizing General Fund monies, st aff has created a simplified COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant Program contract that will better serve the “Project List” recipients. The contracts and reporting requirements for this program mirror the City’s existing Community Project Grant program. Similar to the Community Projects Grant program, st aff will return annually to the City Council with a staff report of the recipient’s progress to re-evaluate the distribution of the funds and the needs at the time.

One of the many non-profits identified in the approved Project List is Interface Children & Family Services. Established in 1973, Interface’s mission is to strengthen children, individuals, families, and communities to be safe, healthy, and thriving through comprehensive social services. The community based organization provides culturally inclusive, trauma-informed services and provides evidence-based programs across core program areas such as Mental Health & Trauma Treatment, Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Prevention, Justice Services, Human Trafficking Intervention & Prevention, and 211 Information and Assistance. Interface is committed to serving high- risk, vulnerable, and marginalized communities, providing prevention, diversion, and intervention services to persons-at-risk of, or with histories of, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Interface has been dedicated to keeping emergency shelters open throughout the pandemic, adhering to all health requirements and restrictions. This created incredible challenges for staff, both in their ability to deliver services as well as their personal potential exposure to illness. In 2021, Interface provided critical care and services to sixty-six survivors i
n East County shelters (27 adults and 39 children). Services provided include crisis intervention and 24-hour response, client intake and screening, emergency shelter, clothing, food, transportation assistance, and necessities. As of Sep tember 30, 2022, Interface provided care and services to thirty-nine clients and anticipate exceeding last year’s numbers in the remaining three months of this year, and continued expansion of services in 2023 and beyond.

For the past three years, Interface has been challenged to meet the increased demands of residents across our region, including those in Simi Valley. Due to the compounded mental health related challenges of COVID -19, Interface is requesting financial support of $250,555 over a two-year period to facilitate the ongoing work of the two confidential, 30-day emergency shelters that serve Simi Valley residents, who are fleeing abuse and 2 exploitation. Funding will be used to advance the shelter’s programs and services as well as address significant repairs and renovations that were put “on hold” due to the pandemic. Repairs that require immediate attention include f ront and rear yard landscaping (in compliance with drought restrictions), exterior paint and roof/carport repairs. Updating the exterior of the shelter will ens ure that clients feel safe and welcomed after making the decision to leave their abusive situation. Having the home blend into the neighborhood helps give clients the reassurance they won’t stand out or be judged when they enter the home. The backyard serves as an opportunity for clients to begin healing within a safe sanctuary to sit and relax while they watch their children play or simply take a moment for themselves to heal and practice self -care. While at th ese shelters, Interface staff provide assis tance and counseling to clients to ens ure they receive the services needed to move forward.

Additionally, funding is needed to sustain vital mental health services for children and families in Simi Valley, who have no other means to afford mental health treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the demand for mental health services. Interface will continue to deliver and expand programming that will engage and serve m ore S imi Valley residents. Like many organizations operating in the post COVID-19 environment, funding is needed to support efforts in hir ing, retention, and replacem ent of key positions to meet increasing mental health needs such as stress related trauma, anxiety, domestic abuse, impacts from job loss, and the physical and emotional distress of family s eparation. Support is also needed to provide additional educational resources, ongoing operation costs for facilities, technology, insuranc e, postage, mileage, and other administrative costs associa ted with the operations needed to support the increased demands of the community.

1. Do
mestic Violence Safe House (Emergency Shelters):
- Shelter Programs & Services Support $40,000
- Front Yard Landscaping $30,000
- Concrete Hardscape in the Backyard $30,000
- Exterior Paint $7,000
- Roof repair & Carport Repair $5,000
D
omestic Violence Safe House: $112,000

2. Vulnerable Population Case Management (Mental Health & Trauma Treatment):
- Personnel (Clinical, Management, Support Staff) $97,348 - Operations $26,427
- Support Staff $14,780
M
ental Health & Trauma Treatment: $138,555
Tot
al Funding Allocation: $250,555
3 The details of the advanced disbursement requirements are brok en down in the attached Interface Budget Proposal (EXHIBIT A, page 11). Staff will be working directly with Interface to determine the preferred payment s chedule from the grant allocation (i.e. immediate advancements, monthly or quarterly draws) after the execution of this two-year contract.

Interface will also be responsible for providing Quarterly Performance Reports, documenting all expenditure activity through the completion of the term of this contract, and providing regular status updates to ensure progress toward the goals and activities and identify any barriers to the completion of the overall scope of work.

The following alternatives are available to the City Council:

1. Appr
ove the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant contract between the City of Simi Valley and Interface Children & Family Services;

2. Modi
fy and approve the COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant contract between the City of Simi Valley and Interface Children & Family Services;

3. Pr
ovide further direction to staff.

St
aff recommends Alternative No. 1.

SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to
approve the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant contract between the City of Simi Valley and Interface Children & Family Services for a not -to-exceed amount of $250,555 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract .

SUMMARY
Th
e American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated $15,325,294 to the City of Simi Valley.

On May 9, 2022, the City Council approved the distribution of the ARPA funds to various projects in compliance with the ARPA Final Rule, which includes a funding allocation to Interface for services for the Simi Valley community. The City has already claimed $10 million as a standard deduction, and on August 22, 2022, City Council approved the claiming of an additional $3.7 million in ARPA funds as revenue loss, which is transferred to the General Fund. Given the utilization of General Fund monies, staff determined that distribution of these funds could be achieved through the creation of a COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant Program agreement.

Int
erfaces’ request for financial assistance addresses critical needs either resulting from or exacerbated by COVID-19. Funding will be distributed over the course of two (2) years per the attached Funding Budget Proposal, and used for shelter programs and services and mental health and trauma treatment. Staff recommends the City Council approve the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant contract between the City of Simi Valley and 4 Interface for a not -to-exceed amount o f $ 250,555 and au thorize the City M anager t o execute the contract.
______
______________________________
Linda Swan
Assistant City Manager
Pr
epared by: Heidi DiNardo, Management Analyst
INDEX Page
COV
ID-19 Community Recovery Grant Contract ................... ………6 Attachment A – Interface Children & Family Services
Grant Cover Letter.......................................................................... 25 5 CONTRACT FOR THE COVID-19 COMMUNITY

RECOVERY GRANT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SIMI

VALLEY AND INTERFACE CHILDREN
& FAMILY SERVICES

THIS CONTRACT is made and entered into this 7th day of November 2022 (the “Effective Date”), by and between the CITY OF SIMI VALLEY, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as CITY, and INTERFACE CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, a non-profit organization, hereinafter referred to as GRANTEE.

Pursuant to CONTRACT, CITY hereby agrees to provide this funding in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

1. PURPOSE
CITY has created a COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant Program (Program) to provide financial assistance to local non-profit organizations, government agencies, and public/private partnerships that serve the vulner able population of the community and support the City’s business community. The Program is designed to help strengthen local non- profits and the services they provide as their organization and the population served continue to recover from the negative impacts of the COVID -19 pandemic. Pursuant to action taken by the City Council of the City of Simi Valley on August 22, 2022, the City is allocating grant funds as proposed to be used for an activity as further set forth in the GRANTEE’s Scope of W ork, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated into this CONTRACT herein by reference.

2. TERM
The term of the Contract will shall be from the Effective Date through December 31, 2023.

3. GRANT AWARD
It is agreed and understood that the total amount to be paid by CITY to GRANTEE under this CONTRACT shall not exceed $250,555 over the term of this CONTRACT.

3. PERMITS AND LICENSES
GRANTEE, at its sole expense, will obtain and maintain during the term of this contract, all appropriate permits, licenses, and certificates that may be required in connection with the performance of services under this Agreement.

4. GRANT PAYMENTS
City will provide Grantee with an amount not to exceed $ 250,555 in accordance with the “Schedule of Compensation” that is attached hereto as “Exhibit B”. Prior to initial payment, Grantee will provide CITY with a copy of their Business Tax Certificate and provide their Taxpayer Identification Number. 6 5. PERFORMANCE REPORT
GRANTEE agrees to submit to CITY a bi-annual Performance Report by the end of May 2022, via E -mail to Heidi DiNardo at HDiNardo @simivalley.org. Reports shall be submitted after six months with expenditure activity through completion of the scope of work or the Term, as requested by CITY. The report shall include a status update for the GRANTEE’s progress toward the goals and activities described in the GRANTEE’s scope of work (Exhibit A) including current grant expenditures, cumulative grant expenditures, and any barriers to completion of the project’s scope of work.

6. FINANCIAL AUDIT
CITY shall have the option of inspecting and/or auditing all records and other written materials used by GRANTEE in its use of grant funding. GRANTEE is required to retain all related financial statements and documentation for a minimum of five years from the date of completion as noted in the final accepted quarterly report.

7. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Grantee will appoint and submit the name of a fiscal agent who will be responsible for the financial and accounting activities of GR ANTEE, including the receipt and disbursement of the GRANT.

B. Grantee to d ocument all costs by maintaining complete and accurate records of all financial transactions, including, without limitation, contracts, invoices, time cards, cash receipts, vouchers , canceled checks, payroll reports, bank statements and/or other official documentation evidencing in proper detail the nature and propriety of all charges.

C. City will pay Grantee progress payment s or advance funding at the time and in the manner set forth in Exhibit “B.” Grantee will submit reasonable back-up documentation as specified by City with any request for payment.

D. City and Grantee to mutually agree on preferred payment schedule (monthly, quarterly, or bi-annual draws) after execution of contract.

8. TERMINATION

A. CITY may, at its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement and GRANTEE’s funding upon ninety (90) days written notice that adequate CITY funding is not available for payment.

B. CITY may terminate Agreement subject to G RANTEE’s right to correct its default.

7 C. Upon suspension or termination of this Agreement by CITY, CITY will not be obligated to pay GRANTEE except for services previously performed for which payment was not previously made.

D. Upon suspension or termination, GRANTEE will

i. Be paid for all completed services in accordance with the GRANTEE’s scope of work to the date of such suspension or termination.

ii. Promptly forward to CITY any and all copies of studies, reports and other data, whether or not completed, prepared by GRANTEE or its subcontractors, if any, in connection with this Agreement. Such materials will become CITY’s property. GRANTEE, however, will not be liable for CITY’s use of incomplete materials or for CITY’s use of complete documents if used for other than the services contemplated by this Agreement.

9. REPAYMENT OF GRANT FUNDS
The CITY shall have the option of requiring repayment of a portion or all of the grant funds based upon the result of any financial audits or lack of performance.

Should GRANT monies remain unspent upon termination of this Agreement, GRANTEE must return such funds to CITY within thirty (30) calendar days of the expiration of the term, or make a request in writing to keep those funds. Such a request will be submitted to the City Manager and must be received not later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the expiration of the term.

10. HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION
GRANTEE shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless CITY and its agents, officials, officers, representatives, and employees from and against all claims, lawsuits, liabilities, or damages of whatever nature arising out of or in connection with, or relating in any matter to, any act or omission of GRANTEE, its agents, employees, and subcontractors, and employees thereof, pursuant to the performance or non- performance of this CONTRACT. GRANTEE shall thoroughly investigate any and all claims and indemnify CITY and do whatever is necessary to protect CITY and its agents, officials, officers, representatives, and employees as to any such claims, lawsuits, liabilities, expenses, or damages arising out of this CONTRACT. GRANTEE must select an attorney acceptable to CITY who will defend such proceeding, and CITY will control any litigation thereof. Such approval by CITY will not be unreasonably withheld.

11. AUTHORIZATION
Each party has expressly authorized the execution of this CONTRACT on its behalf to bind each party and its respective administrators, officers, directors, shareholders, divisions, subsidiaries , agents, employees, successors, assigns, 8 principals, partners, joint ventures, insurance carriers, and any others who may claim through it, to this CONTRACT.

11. INSURANCE
GRANTEE will provide CITY with proof of ins urance as set forth in attached Exhibit “C,” which is incorporated herein.

12. NOTICES
Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be deemed to have been given by depositing said notice in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:

TO CITY: City of Simi Valley
City Manager’s Office
Attn: Heidi DiNardo, Management Analyst
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
TO GRANTEE: Interface Children & Family Services
Attn: Erik Sternad, Executive Director
4001 Mission Oaks Blvd. Suite 1
Camarillo, CA 93012
9 12. AMENDMENTS
Any amendment, modification, or variation from the terms of this CONTRACT shall be in writing and shall be effective only upon mutual written approval by City Manager and GRANTEE.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed the day and year above written.

Attest: City of Simi Valley, A Municipal Corporation

By:

Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Brian Paul Gabler, City Manager

Approved as to Form:

By:

David Caceres, City Attorney

Approved as to Content: Print Name:

Title:

Linda Swan, Assistant City Manager

10 EXHIBIT A
SC

OPE OF WORK
FOR USE OF CITY OF SIMI VALLEY’S COVID-19 COMMUNITY

RECOVERY GRANT FUNDS
Do
mestic Violence Safe House
Shelter Programs & Services Support $40,000
Front Yard Landscaping (Swink’s) $30,000
Backyard - Concrete Hardscape –
(Swink’s)
$30,000
Exterior Paint – (A Stella Roofing) $7,000
Roof Repair & Carport Repair (A-Stella
Roofing)
$5,000
S
ubtotal: $112,000
M
ental Health & Trauma Treatment
Personnel – Itemized* $97,348
Operations (Facility expense, technology,
insurance, supplies, printing, postage,
phone, mileage, and clinical group
supervision)
$26,427
Administrative Staff – Human Resources,
Finance, and Evaluation at 12.4%
$14,780
S
ubtotal: $138,555
Tot
al Funding Request: $250,555
11 BallPark Pricing 9.2022 9.16.2022
1836 PATRICIA AVENUE · SIMI VALLEY CA 93065 · MAIN: 805.522.0412 · FAX: 805.522.5202 WWW.SWINKSCREATIONS.COM · LICENSE #487997

BALL PARK ESTIMATE

Jackie Gonzales September 16, 2022

Simi Valley, Ca. 93065

Site Contact Rosie –

This ball park pricing is demo existing front yard lawn and shrubs and install irrigation, drought tolerant and textured shrubs and synthetic turf. Price includes portable toilet, daily clean up and haul debris.

1. Spray / kill approx. 1,750 square feet of existing lawn and scrape off. Demo approx. 120’ of scalloped edging at sidewalk and excavate approx. 3 cubic yards of soil. Near house, demo existing shrubs and stumps, 1.5 cubic yards of soil and haul all debris. $1,000……$1,500

2. Trench and install class II base footing and build approx. 28 linear feet of circular 12” tall stackable block tree well and fill with ½ cubic yard of decorative gravel. $4,000…...$4,500

3. At front of house copper hose bib, cut and tee and install 1 hunter irrigation valve and 1 Hunter Node, battery operated irrigation controller and PVC to 6 bubbler drip ports with ¼” tubing and emitters to base of new plants. $1,500…..$2,000

4. Plant 1 – 15 gallon and 15 – 5 gallon sized colorfully textured and drought tolerant shrubs including soil prep, compost, fertilizer and time release fertilizer tablets. Finish grade. $1,500…...$2,000

5. Prep and install approx. 1,700 square feet of synthetic turf on 2” of compacted road base and nail down as needed. $20,000….$21,000

Total projected cost for this project $28,000……………$31,000

* Swink’s Creations will provide a detailed proposal for this project with a design agreement.
12 BallPark Pricing Backyard Concrete Clothesline Area 9.2022 9.30.2022 1836 PATRICIA AVENUE · SIMI VALLEY CA 93065 · MAIN: 805.522.0412 · FAX: 805.522.5202 WWW.SWINKSCREATIONS.COM · LICENSE #487997

BALL PARK ESTIMATE
Jackie Gonzales September 30, 2022

Simi Valley, Ca. 93065

Site Contact Rosie –
This ball park pricing is demo existing south east backyard concrete, Ash tree and Citrus tree, 2 clothesline posts, excavate roots and soil, and pour new concrete. Price includes portable toilet, daily clean up and haul debris.

1. Demo approx. 550 square feet of concrete, 2 clothesline posts, 1 Ash tree, Citrus tree, excavate approx. 8 cubic yards of soil for deck expansion and tree roots / stumps as needed, (allow 24 – 30 extra man hours for root / stump removal) clean up and haul debris. $13,000……….$15,000

2. Permit and build 30’ long 3’+ tall 6” tan precision block retaining wall with 2” cap at south east raised property line. Clean up and haul all debris. $13,500……….$16,000

3. Form and pour approx. 1,540 square feet of natural broom finish concrete on 2” of compacted class II road base and #3 rebar 20” on center. $19,000……….$20,000 Total projected cost for this project $45,500……………$51,000 * Swink’s Creations will provide a detailed proposal for this project with a design agreement.
13 14

15 16

Mental Health & Trauma Treatment
*Personnel

Position Hourly Rate Hours Per
Week
Total Hours FTE Program
Cost
Director $56.44 3.00 156 .08 $8,804.64
Clinical
Manger

$34.66

3.00 156 .08 $5406.96
Operations
Manager

$35.72

2.00 104 .05 $3,714.88
Clinical
Supervisor
$41.62 2.00 104 .05 $4,328.48
Therapist $28.00 10.00 520 .25 $14,560.00
Therapist $29.00 4.00 208 .10 $6,032.00
Therapist $28.50 10.00 520 .25 $14,820.00
Therapist $27.00 11.00 572 .28 $15,444.00
Contract
Compliance
Coordinator
$20.64

2.00 104 .05 $2,146.56
O-All
Schedule
$18.86 2.00 104 .05 $1,961.44
Data
Coordinator
$37.02 1.00 52 .03 $1,925.04

Total
Personnel

1.25 $79,144.00

Benefits –
23%
$18,203.12

Total
Personnel &
Benefits
$97,347.12

17 Exhibit “B”

SCHEDULE OF COMPENSATION

Interface Children & Family Services

1. BILLING: By the 15th of each month, quarter, or bi-annual draw, Grantee will submit a Request for Funding to City and supporting documentation that are required by the Agreement. Grantee will submit invoice to the City at the following address:

City of Simi Valley
City Manager’s Office
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063

The invoice must be submitted on the City’s billing and reporting form (Attachment “B-1”) and must include the following:

(a) Supporting documentation to substantiate request for funding;

(b) A subtotal sheet enumerating all charges, and

(c) A brief report on the progress that has been made or that will be made in implementation of the Project and persons served.

2. TIME OF PAYMENT: City will make payment to Grantee after receipt of invoice and City’s approval of the invoice.

3. MAXIMUM COMPENSATION: Notwithstanding the foregoing, Grantee will complete all work and tasks described in Exhibit “A” for a total amount of compensation that does not exceed $250,555 which includes all out-of-pocket expenses.

18 1st Quarter
Date received:

Ins. Exp. Date:

Organization: Vendor #:

Program Name: Approved by:

Mailing Address:

Billing Period:

Contact Name: Erik Sternad, Executive Director
Grant Category: Contact #:

Budget
2022-23 Requested
Previous
Requests Balance

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
COVID-19 COMMUNITY RECOVERY GRANT
FUNDING REQUEST FY 2022-23

TO BE COMPLETED BY CITY STAFF
Interface Children & Family Services
COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant
4001 Mission Oaks Bldv. Suite 1, Camarillo, CA 93012
Mental Health, Emergency Shelt 805-485-6114 x641
Personnel
Salaries/Wages
Sub-Total Personnel
Non-Personnel
Sub-Total Non-Personnel
Grand Total
Certification:

I hereby certify that the expenditures reported for reimbursement by the City of Simi Valley represent a true and accurate accounting of expenditures incurred during the period and that these costs are consistent with the executed contract with the City.

Authorized Signature:_________________________________________ Date:________________________________ Name: ______________________________________ Title:_______________________________________________ 19 EXHIBIT B-1
2nd Quarter
Date received:

Ins. Exp. Date:

Organization: Vendor #:

Program Name: Approved by:

Mailing Address:

Billing Period:

Contact Name: Erik Sternad, Executive Director
Grant Category: Contact #:

Budget
2022-23 Requested
Previous
Requests Balance

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
COVID-19 COMMUNITY RECOVERY GRANT
FUNDING REQUEST FY 2022-23
805-485-6114 x641
Sub-Total Personnel

TO BE COMPLETED BY CITY STAFF
Certification:

Personnel
Salaries/Wages
COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant
4001 Mission Oaks Bldv. Suite 1, Camarillo, CA 93012
20 3rd Quarter
Date received:

Ins. Exp. Date:

Organization: Vendor #:

Program Name: Approved by:

Mailing Address:

Billing Period:

Contact Name: Erik Sternad, Executive Director
Grant Category: Contact #:

Budget
2022-23 Requested
Previous
Requests Balance

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
COVID-19 COMMUNITY RECOVERY GRANT
FUNDING REQUEST FY 2022-23

Sub-Total Non-Personnel
Grand Total
Certification:

Ins. Exp. Date:

Organization: Vendor #:

Program Name: Approved by:

Mailing Address:

Billing Period:

Contact Name: Erik Sternad, Executive Director
Grant Category: Contact #:

Budget
2022-23 Requested
Previous
Requests Balance

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
COVID-19 COMMUNITY RECOVERY GRANT
FUNDING REQUEST FY 2022-23

Sub-Total Non-Personnel
Grand Total
Certification:

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Grantee shall procure and maintain for the duration of the grant insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work hereunder by the Grant ee, its agents, representatives, contractor, or employees.

Minimum Scope and Limit of Insurance

Coverage shall be at least as broad as:

1. Commercial General Liability (CGL): Insurance Services Office Form CG 00 01 covering CGL on an “occurrence” basis, including products and completed operations, property damage, bodily injury and personal & advertising injury with limits no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location (ISO CG 25 03 or 25 04) or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.

2. Workers’ Compensation insurance as required by the State of California, with Statutory Limits, and Employer’s Liability Insurance with limit of no less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease. Contractor hereby certifies that it is aware of the provisions of Section 3700 et seq., of the Labor Code which require every employer to be insured against liability for Workers' Compensation.

If the grantee maintains broader coverage and/or higher limits than the minimums shown above, the City requires and shall be entitled to the broader coverage and/or the higher limits maintained by the grantee. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to the City.

Other Insurance Provisions
- The insurance policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions:

Additional Insured Status
The City of Simi Valley, its Boards, Officers, Agents, Officials, employees, and volunteers are to be covered as additional insureds on the CGL policy with respect to liability arising out of work or operations performed by or on behalf of the grantee including materials, parts, or equipment furnished in connection with such work or operations. General liability coverage can be provided in the form of an endorsement to the grantee’s insurance (at least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 10 11 85 or both CG 20 10, CG 20 26, CG 20 33, or CG 20 38; and CG 20 37 forms if later revisions used).

Primary Coverage
For any claims related to this grant, the grantee’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance coverage at least as broad as ISO CG 20 01 04 13 as respect s the City, its Boards, Officers, Agents, Officials, employees, and volunteers. Any insurance or self - 23 insurance maintained by the City, its Boards, Officers, Agents, Officials, employees, and volunteers shall be excess of the grantee’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.

Notice of Cancellation
Each insurance policy required above shall state that coverage shall not be canceled, except with notice to the City.

Waiver of Subrogation
Grantee hereby grants to City a waiver of any right to subrogation which any insurer of said grantee may acquire against City by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance. Grantee agrees to obtain any endorsement that may be necessary to affect this waiver of subrogation but this provision applies regardless of whether or not the City has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from the insurer. The Workers’ Compensation policy shall be endorsed with a waiver of subrogation in favor of the City for all work performed by the grantee, its employees, agents and subcontractors.

Self-Insured Retentions
Self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. The City may require the grantee to provide proof of ability to pay losses and related investigations, claim administration, and defense expenses within the retention. The policy language shall provide, or be endorsed to provide, that the self -insured retention may be satisfied by either the named insured or City.

Acceptability of Insurers
Insurance is to be placed with insurers authorized to conduct business in the state with a current A.M. Best’s rating of no less than A:VII, unless otherwise acceptable to the City.

Verification of Coverage
Grantee shall furnish the City with original Certificates of Insurance including all required amendatory endorsements (or copies of the applicable policy language effecting coverage required by this clause) and a copy of the Declarations and Endorsement Page of the CGL policy listing all policy endorsements to City before work begins.

However, failure to obtain the required documents prior to the work beginning shall not waive the grantee’s obligation to provide them. The City reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements required by these specifications, at any time.

Subcontractors
Grantee shall require and verify that all subcontractors maintain insurance meeting all the requirements stated herein, and grantee shall ensure that the City is an additional insured on insurance required from subcontractors. For CGL coverage, subcontractors shall provide coverage with a form at least as broad as CG 20 38 04 13.

Special Risks or Circumstances
City reserves the right to modify these requirements, including limits, based on the nature of the risk, prior experience, insurer, coverage, or other special circumstances. 24 T
O: Brian Gabler
City Manager, City of Simi Valley
F
ROM: Erik Sternad
Executive Director, Interface Children & Family Services D
ATE: October 20, 2022
R
E: American Rescue Plan Act Funding Proposal
Established in 1973, Interface Children & Family Services (Interface) is a comprehensive non- profit community-based organization that provides culturally inclusive, trauma-informed services to over 59,000 individuals in the Central Coast region each year. Our mission to strengthen children, individuals, families, and communities to be safe, healthy, and thriving through comprehensive social services guides us in providing thirty (30) evidence-based programs across core program areas such as Mental Health & Trauma Treatment, Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Prevention, Justice Services, Human Trafficking Intervention & Prevention, and 211 Information & Assistance.

Fo
r almost 50 years, we have connected individuals and families to vital health and social supportive services such as housing, job placement, reentry programs, crisis response, domestic violence & human trafficking services, confidential shelter, food, and mental health services.

Integral to the focus of our work is a commitment to serve high-risk, vulnerable, and marginalized communities, providing prevention, diversion, and intervention services to persons at-risk of, or with histories of, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

I
nterface leads systems-wide change in the community by addressing complex trauma, serving hard-to-reach populations, designing dynamic programs that meet the evolving needs of the community, and cultivating strong partnerships with agencies across the county.

Due
to the COVID pandemic that has been present in our community for the last three years, Interface has been challenged to meet the increased demands of residents across our region, including those in Simi Valley. We respectfully request allocation of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act in the amount of $250,555 for two specific purposes:
• $112,000 to support the ongoing work of our two confidential, 30-day emergency shelters for victims fleeing abuse and exploitation
• $138,555 to sustain & expand mental health and trauma treatment services for children and families in Simi Valley due to the compounded mental health-related challenges of COVID and retention of therapists in our work force that can provide critical care to under and un-insured clients. This funding will be leveraged to seek matching ARPA funds with other cities and the county to empower Interface to provide and expand critical mental health support countywide.
25 ATTACHMENT A

Interface’s Emergency Shelters
Interface provides concrete supports to meet each victim’s immediate needs such as shelter, food, clothing, crisis counseling, and medical care. Interface provides access to culturally appropriate health and wellness services that address the needs of each client beginning with an intake assessment and including case management, legal advocacy, peer support, and life skills development. During their time at our shelters, clients work closely with case managers to achieve safety and self-sufficiency goals and have access to individual counseling and, if appropriate, are offered supportive assistance with parenting skills and job readiness. Staff is available 24 hours a day to respond to any needs and or emergencies and referrals and advocacy for substance abuse recovery programs are provided when appropriate.

Interface’s emergency shelters provide low barrier supports to reduce obstacles that survivors may encounter when accessing critical safety net services. Included in this support is facilitating an environment where family pets are welcomed to take refuge alongside survivors, a rarity in our county. Children residing in our shelters are enrolled in local schools to ensure their education continues. Staff provides clients with transportation and accompaniment to all necessary appointments including law enforcement interviews, medical exams, social services, and court hearings.

Interface has been dedicated to keeping our shelters open throughout the pandemic, adhering to all health requirements and restrictions. This created incredible challenges for our shelter staff, both in their ability to deliver services as well as their personal potential exposure to illness. We are diligent in providing personal protective equipment and being responsive to the needs of our staff and our clients. In 2021, Interface provided critical care and services to 66 survivors in our East County shelters (27 adults and 39 children). Services provided include crisis intervention and 24-hour response, client intake and screening, emergency shelter, clothing, food, transportation assistance, and necessities. As of September 30, we have provided care and services to 39 clients; we anticipate exceeding last year’s numbers in the remaining 3 months of this year and continued expansion of services in 2023 and beyond.

Funding requested for Interface’s Family Violence Intervention & Prevention programs will be allocated to advance the shelter’s programs and services support and to address significant repairs and renovations that were put “on hold” due to the pandemic and are now becoming problematic and require immediate attention. These include:
• Shelter Programs & Services Support $ 40,000
• Front Yard Landscaping:
$ 30,000
• Back Yard concrete hardscape : $ 30,000
• Exterior Paint: $ 7,000
• Roof Repair & Carport Repair: $ 5,000

Emergency Shelters: $112,000
26 Updating the exterior and front landscaping of our shelter will help our clients feel safe and welcomed after making the decision to leave their abusive situation. Having the home blend into the neighborhood helps give clients the reassurance they won’t stand out or be judged when they enter the home. We hope their first impression will inspire a sense of hope and opportunity for healing. Our backyard project also has an opportunity to provide clients with a safe sanctuary to sit and relax while they watch their children play or simply take a moment for themselves to heal and practice self-care. To our clients and families, this is not a shelter, it’s home.

Mental Health & Trauma Treatment
Children, youth, and adults can have mental health problems that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life.

Interface provides comprehensive mental health services in family-friendly locations throughout Ventura County. Service providers include licensed therapists, associate marriage family therapists, associate clinical social workers, and masters-level student trainees.

Each therapist has participated in comprehensive training and receives ongoing supervision to develop expertise in working with the mental health of children, youth, and families affected by family violence, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, victims of crime, and trauma, as well as children who are experiencing difficulties succeeding in family, school, or peer settings.

In nearly 50 years of service, Interface had developed processes and procedures to address the significant challenges that we encounter. Recent challenges included the rapid transition to virtual healthcare necessitated by the Coronavirus pandemic. With the support of our community, staff, and clients, Interface was able to successfully modify services without sacrificing the quality or availability of our programs. Over two years into the pandemic, our agency continues to provide the same level of comprehensive, supportive services in both virtual and in-person settings.

In 2020, 67% of MHTT clients were under age 17 and 20% of clients (130 individuals) were uninsured or underinsured. Interface is committed to serving the diverse needs of our multicultural community. Approximately 65% of our clients identify as Latinx and 31% of the families we serve are Spanish speaking.

$138,555 will empower Interface to sustain vital mental health services to 54 children and families over two years who have no other means to afford mental health treatment. This will help preserve and expand Interfaces’ 15-year history of providing critical mental health services to Simi Valley families during an unprecedented shortage of mental health providers and the largest surge in awareness and demand for mental health care and support that our community has ever seen. Recent challenges due to the COVID pandemic included the rapid transition to

27 virtual healthcare. With the support of our community, staff, and clients, Interface was able to successfully modify services without sacrificing the quality or availability of our programs.

Three years into the pandemic, our agency continues to provide the same level of comprehensive, supportive services in both virtual and in-person settings. As families struggle to find affordable mental health services because their needs are unmet through insurance, Interface faces a parallel challenge of retaining high-quality therapists to meet this demand.

There are no other accessible, affordable mental health care providers in this region to support these families through the trauma they have experienced throughout COVID and beyond. With support from the City of Simi Valley, Interface will be able to create and provide additional educational resources which will be offered to families including linkage to appropriate services within Interface as well as with community partners.

Funding to sustain and expand mental health services will support the following:
• Personnel including salaries and benefits at $97,348 of clinical personnel, support staff and management, oversee the contract deliverables, clinical supervision, engage with the community. This funding will support our efforts in hiring, retention, and replacement of key positions to meet increasing mental health needs (i.e. stress related trauma, anxiety, domestic abuse, impacts from job loss, the physical and emotional distress of family separations) due to the continuing effects of COVID-19, to deliver and expand programming to engage and serve more Simi Valley residents, and especially to provide critical services for underrepresented clients across our community. • Operations at $26,427 to cover facility, technology, insurance, supplies, printing, postage, phone, mileage and required clinical group supervision. • 12.4 % de minimis provides support to our administrative staff assisting with human resources, finance, and evaluation at $14,780

Mental Health and Trauma Treatment: $138,555

Simi Valley City CouncilNovember 7, 2022

Simi Valley City Council
November 7, 2022