Item Number: {{item.number}}
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: August 20, 2024
Submitted By:
Alex Jauregui, City Planner
Subject:
Respite Care Grant Agreement with Kaiser Foundation Hospitals to provide the City with funding for advancing the medical respite (recuperative care) ecosystem by improving service quality at the Wellness Center in the areas of client management, medical equipment, and transportation
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution Nos. 24-078 and 24-079, thereby:
1) Accepting the Strengthening the Recuperative Care Ecosystem in the Inland Region Grant with the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals providing the City with $200,000.00 for advancing the medical respite (recuperative care) ecosystem; 2) Authorizing the City Manager to finalize all documents needed to execute the grant contract;
3) Authorizing the City Manager to make any necessary amendments to the contract as deemed necessary; and
4) Amending the annual budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 to reflect an additional appropriation in the amount of $200,000.00.
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed action will result in an increase of $200,000.00 in the City's budget in order to strengthen recuperative care provided in the community and address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the City of Victorville that require medical respite (recuperative care). Upon the execution of the grant agreement, the subject grant will be awarded to the City in a lump sum, providing additional funds to help offset subscription costs of the City’s client management system (Lightning Step) as well as Wellness Center operation costs. The subject funding source will supplement other funding sources used at the Wellness Center (e.g. Homekey, PLHA, etc.) and assist in sustaining operations further into the future. Additionally, the subject grant has no matching requirement and administration of the grant, including the creation and analysis of associated data, will be 3 7
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managed by the City’s existing Homelessness Solutions Staff, utilizing Lightning Step and the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Strategic Plan Goal:
The subject grant opportunity aligns with Goal D of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan; specifically, strategies 3, 4, and 5, which state that in order to achieve the goal of reducing homelessness, the City should:
•Expand on the existing homelessness outreach network to effectively engage the homeless community in services;
•Evaluate the effectiveness of coordination of homelessness services; and •Strengthen collaboration with the County and other entities to identify new funding opportunities and expand partnerships for homelessness services.
Inasmuch as the proposed funding opportunity will allow the City to further implement the strategies noted above as well as address Goal A of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan by identifying new funding sources to promote the City’s financial sustainability, acceptance of the subject grant would be in compliance with the City’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.
Background:
Grant History
On February 15, 2024, the City of Victorville received an invitation to apply for up to $200,000.00 for a Recuperative Care Grant and took steps to apply. On June 27, 2024, Kaiser approved the City’s grant application for $200,000.00, to be used to improve our Client Management System (CMS), provide medical equipment, and for transportation for our Wellness Center Recuperative Care clients.
Grant Purpose
This funding opportunity is intended to support the planning, implementation, and innovation in projects that recuperative care providers are preparing as part of their own on-going and strategic planning work. The subject grant is designed to develop best practices to be shared with others for continued improvement of the overall recuperative care ecosystem and those in other Kaiser Permanente regions.
The grant opportunity includes three funding areas: Planning Grants, Implementation Grants, and Innovation Grants. After review, City staff applied for $200,000.00 for an Implementation Grant to assist in obtaining and maintaining a Client Management System, improve service quality with respect to medical equipment, and to provide quality transportation.
Recuperative Care
Recuperative care (also known as medical respite) provides a safe space for homeless patients to recover from illness or injury after hospitalization, offering continued treatment 3 7
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and access to essential services like primary care, behavioral health, and social support.
This approach aims to reduce hospital re-admissions, cut unnecessary spending, and can improve the success of finding permanent housing after the need for recuperative care has ceased. Symba Center currently manages these services at the Wellness Center, including medical, behavioral health, case management, and housing navigation.
Currently, Symba Center supports approximately 40 recuperative clients daily, highlighting the ongoing need for enhanced services to improve the medical respite ecosystem and better serve the community.
Proposed/Eligible Grant Uses
The Wellness Center’s wraparound services currently include a medical clinic for the City’s sheltered, unsheltered, and at-risk clients. With the subject grant award, funding for additional advanced medical equipment as well as enhanced patient care can be achieved and assist in speeding up recovery. Equipment upgrades like increased refrigeration capabilities and cardiac monitors will also improve treatment efficiency.
The grant will also support the use of evidence-based practices and an enhanced CMS to upgrade IT infrastructure, streamline care delivery, and improve client outcomes.
Specifically, the CMS will provide up-to-date information, aiding in targeted resource allocation to homeless sub-populations and enhance efficiency of service.
Additionally, grant funding can be used to supplement transportation costs for clients, which is crucial for homeless individuals needing recuperative care. Reliable transportation is essential for accessing medical services, maintaining independence, pursuing employment, and securing housing, all of which significantly impact overall well- being and recovery.
Discussion:
While the City’s grant application was approved with an award of $200,000.00 to be used to improve the City’s client management system, acquire medical equipment, and provide transportation for Wellness Center Recuperative Care clients, formal acceptance of the grant by the City Council is required to make the associated 2024-2025 budget amendment and authorize completion of the necessary contract.
If accepted, the grant period and ability to use funds began July 1, 2024, and will run through June 30, 2025. As part of the grant, Kaiser plans to conduct a site visit in February 2025 to assess progress, and City staff will be required to complete a final report that will be due after the grant period ends next year.
The City continues to address the homeless challenges within the community as outlined in the City’s Homelessness Solutions Strategic Action Plan, and the recommended action will advance those efforts. With the proposed additional funding, the City will continue to provide services to the unsheltered recuperative care population with additional resources and support in operations and program implementation.
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Given the City’s commitment to reducing homelessness, as outlined in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, coupled with the City’s commitment to collaborate with our partners to obtain additional resources, staff recommends that the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution Nos. 24-078 and 24-079, amending the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, and authorizing City staff to proceed with completing necessary grant documents.
Attachments: A. City Council Resolution No. 24-078, Budget Amendment B. City Council Resolution No. 24-079, City/Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Contract
C. City/Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Grant Agreement