Commission approves Homebridge IHSS contracts, training grant, IT support and expanded emergency meals

The Disability and Aging Services Commission on June 9 voted unanimously to authorize a set of grant and contract actions intended to sustain in-home and emergency services for older adults and people with disabilities during the COVID-19 emergency.

The motions approved were:

- A five-year grant agreement with Homebridge Inc. to provide contract-mode In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2025, with a base amount of $129,332,065 and a 10% contingency for a total not to exceed $142,265,370. Staff said Homebridge provides supervised, nonmedical out-of-home care to consumers who cannot direct their own care and projected roughly 460,000 hours of supervised home care annually under the contract.

- A second Homebridge grant to provide provider skill development and supports (07/01/2020–06/30/2025) with a base amount of $3,750,000 and a 10% contingency (not to exceed $4,125,000). Krista (presenter) said the training contract expects to shift in-person coursework online during the pandemic and aims for about 5% of more than 21,000 eligible independent providers to take at least one course.

- A one-year modification to continue RTZ Associates' work on the SF GetCare system (07/01/2020–06/30/2021) with an additional $1,170,140 requested and a 10% contingency for a revised modification total not to exceed $8,348,202. Melissa McGee explained the Department of Public Health's transition to a separate system was delayed and HSA will continue RTZ support for another year to maintain service coordination and reporting.

- A modification to Meals on Wheels grant agreements adding $87,097 (plus 10% contingency, new total not to exceed $95,807) to deliver an additional 18,027 emergency meals and serve at least 104 new clients. Tiffany Kearney said increased demand during the pandemic prompted the request to allow a third meal option (breakfast) and expand emergency meal capacity.

Each item was presented by staff, discussed briefly with commissioners and carried on a recorded roll-call vote with identical tallies: Commissioners Martha Knudson, Nelson Lum, Barbara Sklar and Janet Spears voted "yes." No public comments were received on these items during the meeting.

What was said about contingencies and funding: presenters said all contracts and modifications remain contingent on the availability of funds and, if later cuts are required, contracts could be adjusted after approval. Emily Gibbs (HSA) added that IHSS hours that are mandated will be preserved where statute or program rules require them.

Next steps: contracts will proceed per procurement and appropriation rules; staff said they will return to the commission with updates as necessary if budget reductions force adjustments.

Vote-at-a-glance: all four agenda items A through D passed unanimously.