HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06261984 - 1.96 1.96
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
Adopted this Order on_June 26, 1984 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Proposed Contract with Legal Services Foundation
In a letter dated June 21, 1984, to the Board of Supervisors, Phil Batchelor, County Administrator,
commented on a proposal made by the Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation to the 1983 Finance
Committee(Supervisors Todakson and McPeak)that would authorize Legal Services to hire an attorney and
two paralegals to aggressively pursue appeals from the denial of SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
benefits for the County's General Assistance clients. Contra Costa County was projected to save money for
having Legal Services get clients off General Assistance and on to SSI. The cost to the County for said
services was estimated to be$154,000.
Mr. Batchelor referred to meetings held with the Finance Committee and County staff to consider the
pros and cons of said proposal as well as the fiscal impact on the County's resources. It was noted that
federal regulations are being modified that would provide a more reasonable approach to SSI eligibility. The
County Administrator noted that it was anticipated that the Interim General Assistance Reimbursement
Program(IGAR)caseload would be substantially reduced without an intensive level of outside advocacy. Mr.
Batchelor gave two reasons for not contracting with Legal Services to handle the SSI appeals: (1) Use of
private counsel is less expensive for the County; and (2)the use of County Counsel's office professional staff
to represent clients in SSI appeals has not been explored.
Mr. Batchelor recommended that the Board decline to contract with Legal Services, and instead direct
the County Welfare Director to make increased use of private counsel and to consult with County Counsel and
to prepare and forward to the Board a proposal for the Department to handle SSI appeals with County
Counsel's assistance as necessary. The County Administrator stated that the County Welfare Director and
County Counsel concur with this recommendation.
Mark Golowitz, Executive Director, Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation, urged the Board to
approve the proposed contract. He referred to the Foundation's expertise in this area and of its ability to
handle a large volume of cases. He expressed the belief that the new IGAR eligibility provisions would not
substantially reduce the County's caseload.
Paula A. Gorelich, attorney with the Legal Services Foundation, commented on the lack of experience
of private attomeys in this area who would be able to adequately represent these clients.
John Pound, attorney with the Legal Services Foundation, advised that the County's General
Assistance caseload would be decreased with the modified eligibility requirements. He commented on the
time spent by Legal Services attorneys to secure proper medical documentation in support of a client's claim,
and how cases of this type could place a financial burden on the resources of small law offices.
Board members discussed said proposal and concurred that the proposed contract with the Legal
Services Foundation should be further reviewed by the County Administrator relative to the utilization of
County resources with a report to the Finance Committee in approximately 45 days.
THEREFORE, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the recommendation of Mr. Batchelor as
presented above is APPROVED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the County Administrator is DIRECTED to review the program and
report to the Finance Committee by August 10, 1984.
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.
ATTESTED: June 26, 1984
J. R.OLSSON,County Clerk and
Ex Officio Clerk of the Board
By Deputy Clerk
CC: County Administrator
Finance Committee
County Counsel
Welfare Director
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