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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01082008 - C.128FHS #76 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Family and Human Services Committee Federal Glover, District V Susan Bonilla, District IV DATE: January 8, 2008 •Spa�couN'� SUBJECT: Sober Living Facility at Discovery House SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS ?0-1a Contra Costa County ACCEPT the attached update on the status of the funding application for capital improvements and the conversion of the old Discovery House to a sober living facility.. BACKGROUND In September 2004, Discovery House moved into a newly completed building on a lot adjacent to its previous location on Pacheco Avenue. Since that time the old building has stood \,scant. On December 17, 2007 the Family and Human Services Committee accepted a report updating the Committee on the submittal of a funding application. The Sober Living Task Force, a collaboration of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board, Friends Outside, Phoenix Programs, Health Services Department Homeless Program, and Shelter, Inc, developed a model and business plan based on client responses to survey questions, collection of data from similar facilities/programs, and direct contract with homeless clients. On June 20, 2005 the Familyand Human Services Committee CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATU RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMEN APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON Glover, Chair VOTE OF SUPERVISORS i UNANIMOUS (ABSENT) AYES: NO S: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Contact: Valerie Earley Orig. Dept.: County Administrator cc: CAO, HSD Homeless TION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Susan Bonilla, Member APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED t/0T14ER I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTE CS JOHN CU L LERK OF THE BOAR OF SUPERVISORS ANP COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR B DEPUTY P'age2of2 accepted a report from the Sober Living Task Force on the viability of using the old Discovery House as a sober living environment. There is now an opportunity to apply for funding from the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program. If funding is approved, the Department will work with General Services to begin capital improvements on the old facility to convert it for use as a sober living transitional facility for individuals who have completed a drug treatment program. County of Contra Costa OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MEMORANDUM DATE: December 17, 2007 TO: Family and Human Services Committee Federal Glover, Chair Susan Bonilla, Member FROM: Dorothy Sanso , Staff Family and H ,Services Co ittee SUBJECT: #76 — Sober Living Taskzforce and Discovery House RECOMMENDATION: Accept the update on the status of the funding application for capital improvements for conversion of the old Discovery House to a sober living facility. BACKGROUND: The Sober Living Task Force is a collaboration of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board, Friends Outside, Phoenix Programs, Health Services Department Homeless Program, and Shelter, Inc. The Task Force has developed a model and business plan based on client responses to survey questions, collection of data from similar facilities/programs, and direct contract with homeless clients. On June 20, 2005 the Family and Human Services Committee accepted a report from the Sober Living Task Force on the viability of using the old Discovery House as a sober living environment. Several questions arose during the discussion, including how the facility could sustain itself and why other similar facilities have failed. The Committee requested that the Task Force continue working to gather additional information and return to the Committee for further discussion of the issue. On December 5, 2005 the Family and Human Services Committee received an update on the use of the old Discovery House as a sober living environment. At that time the Health Services Department was requested to apply for capital funding when the opportunity arose. The Homeless Program anticipates that the California Department of Housing and Community Development will releas the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program Page 2 of 2 Capital Development notice of funding availability on December 12, 2007. Applications for this funding are due to the State by February 7, 2008. The Health Services Department, Homeless Program, is in the process of completing the application for funding. The Department expects to learn the results of the application process by approximately June 30, 2008. If the request is approved and funding is made available, the Department will begin working with the General Services Department on the old Discovery House capital improvements. Currently, the Health Services Department plans to contract for sober living environment services to be offered at this location. The program will be self-supporting and there will be no County funds used for operations. Operating costs will be paid for out of rents that residents pay to live there. In addition, this is a sober transitional living facility with an average length of stay from 18-24 months. Residents must have completed a drug treatment program to be eligible to live in the facility.