The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval of an amendment to extend the contract with Easter Seals of Greater Houston for two years and nine months effective November 29, 2017 to August 31, 2020.
Respite care provides caregivers a temporary rest from caregiving, while the person with the disability or illness continues to receive care in a safe environment. Using respite services can support and strengthen an individual’s ability to be a caregiver.
This program has existed since 2012. All funds for FY17 were expended. In August, HHSC advised that it was not going to fund respite services for FY18 so the department planned to let the contract expire. Later in August, HHSC notified HHD that it would fund the respite services program and HHD scrambled to process the paperwork necessary to take advantage of the available funds.
HHSC issued a grant amendment to add $74,021 for FY18. On September 14, 2017, the 5th amendment of the HHSC agreement was processed and signed by the Mayor without council approval because it was under $400,000. The partially executed amendment was sent to HHSC for the signature process to be completed. After requesting an update on the agreement multiple times, on November 11, 2017, HHSC advised that the delay in their signature process was a result of their new procurement/contracting system.
The 5th amendment which now includes respite services is the funding source for the Easter Seals contract. For Easter Seals to provide respite services, the 5th amendment must be fully executed to facilitate a notice of funding award, which will pay for the services. These factors required the Easter Seals contract to be extended on short notice so the services could continue. The Easter Seals contract expires on November 30, 2017
HHD is asking Council to approve an amendment to extend the contract with Easter Seals of Greater Houston for three years so that respite services can continue utilizing the newly authorized grant funds and any subsequent awards. However, since we have not received the fully executed contract from HHSC, HHD is only asking for the contract term to be extended at this time and not for an increase in the maximum contract amount. Once we receive the fully executed contract from HHSC we will return to Council’s for approval an increase to the maximum contract amount of the Easter Seals contract
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Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., M.P.A.
Director, Houston Health Department