Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Keith D. Bostick (Deputy Director)
Department: Human Services Division: Community Partnerships
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to execute Agreement between Broward County and St. Thomas University, Inc., subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, in the amount of $29,706, effective retroactively from July 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021, for the provision of guardianship services to adults who are incapacitated and of limited financial means in Broward County; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement.
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Why Action is Necessary
Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) approval is required for agreements with external agencies.
What Action Accomplishes
Adoption authorizes distribution of funds to a specified service provider.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This action supports the Commission’s value of “approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable” and the goal to “collaborate with public and private partners to find creative, equitable, and responsible solutions to systemic community problems, especially permanent, supportive housing for persons experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.” Approval will provide funding for public guardianship services needed by Broward County residents.
On December 12, 2017, (Item No. 17), the Commission awarded $80,000 in recurring funding to the provider of guardianship services in Broward County, as designated by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Office of Public & Professional Guardians (“OPPG”).
At such time, Barry University, School of Social Work (“Barry”) was designated by OPPG for guardianship services. On December 3, 2019, (Item No. 7), the Commission approved two additional option periods for guardianship services.
Effective June 30, 2021, Barry made the decision to no longer serve as the state’s designated public guardian in Broward County. OPPG selected St. Thomas University, College of Law (Exhibit 1) as the provider of public guardianship services for Broward County residents effective July 1, 2021, to July 1, 2025. The Motion requests retroactive approval in the amount of $29,706 from July 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021, in order to allow for reimbursement of guardianship services provided to clients who received services by St. Thomas University.
Source of Additional Information
Darrell Cunningham, Director, Community Partnerships Division, (954) 357-6398
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funds in the amount of $29,706 for public guardianship services are allocated in the Human Services Department, Community Partnerships Division Fiscal Year 2020-2021 adopted budget.