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Rohnert Park People Services Center reports early gains; staff proposes contract alignment through 2027
Summary
City staff reported early performance from the Rohnert Park People Services Center and recommended aligning contracts and requesting a two‑year extension to June 2027 to maintain services; the council expressed support and staff will return with a contract.
Rohnert Park — City staff and the center’s vendor, Petaluma People Services, provided an update April 22 on services delivered since the center opened in October 2024 and proposed aligning contracts and extending the agreement through June 2027. Kevin King, senior analyst, said the center provides services to residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness, victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable residents and that Petaluma People Services is the contracted operator.
King presented six‑month activity measures (October 2024–March 2025): roughly 140 volunteer iRide rides covering about 987 miles; 17 local applications for a ‘‘bridge the gap’’ rental assistance program (12 funded in Rohnert Park, average payment ~$200 in March 2025); roughly 106 adults served by case management; 37 youth served by the RISE youth employment program (with 31 of those in the most recent two months); and coordinated behavioral‑health referrals. He said the center responded after an October apartment fire and highlighted ongoing collaboration with the county and the safe‑team crisis intervention workers.
Elise Hempel, executive director of Petaluma People Services, described a new MOU with the state contractor that will place Medi‑Cal application services at the Rohnert Park center Monday–Wednesday (Petaluma on Thursday/Friday) to speed enrollment for uninsured residents. King told council staff are negotiating contract alignment across HUD/county/city funding streams to improve reimbursement timing and accountability and asked to return in May or June with a proposed contract extension through June 2027.
Council members thanked King and Hempel and urged staff to provide written materials to SAFE responders so clients know about available services. Several council members said they support pursuing a two‑year contract extension and will back staff as they align terms with county and HUD requirements.
