Gina James, director of Health and Human Services, briefed commissioners on the consolidated homeless grant (CHG) scheduled on the upcoming agenda and on related developmental disabilities contracts.

James said the biennial state contract is about $11.7 million. The award combines state general funds and local document recording fees that are routed through the state to counties for homelessness‑related services. HHS staff proposed pass‑through contracts with Community Action Program (CAP) and the Community Mediation Center to continue eviction prevention and coordinated entry functions; James said additional coordinated entry contracts with local providers would remain funded through the CHG rather than local recording fees.

James presented historical grant use over the last three bienniums, noting the July 2023–June 2025 period included additional state funding and new eviction prevention funding tied to a $100 document recording fee increase. She said the state’s allocation methodology historically used census and poverty data (and not the local point‑in‑time count) but that the state plans to shift toward allocating future grants based on actual county spending.

Commissioners asked for clarity on program outcomes and oversight. James provided figures for households served and outcomes in two bienniums: roughly 350 clients served in 2021–2023 with about 210 moved into housing, and comparable totals (about 350 served; ~211 moved into housing) for 2023–2025. James and commissioners discussed overlap between mediation services and eviction prevention (the mediation step often precedes financial assistance and may be counted in multiple categories).

Commissioners pressed staff on accountability mechanisms. James described existing program monitoring: financial reviews, risk assessments of contractors (low/medium/high), random invoice spot checks tied to assessed risk, and annual or on‑demand program updates. She said larger organizations such as CAP submit a federal single audit when required and that capital projects submitted to HHS require invoice backup for reimbursement. Commissioners asked whether the county could commission independent external audits of contractors’ grant use; James said she would investigate whether CHG funds could pay for third‑party audits and noted capital reimbursements already require receipt review.

James also described developmental disabilities contracts on the agenda: the state contract funds child development services and adult employment/day programs; pass‑throughs to Progress Center, Compass Career Solutions and Lifeworks were planned, with Goodwill and Employers Overload to follow. James said about 84 percent of program participants are employed and 53 businesses have hired individuals through the program.

Ending: The board will consider the CHG and proposed pass‑throughs at the next meeting; commissioners asked staff to follow up with additional performance data and to research options for independent audits or enhanced oversight.