Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and the City of Tumwater for Community Assistance Referral and Education Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Tumwater for Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES).
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing the Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Tumwater for Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES).
Staff Contact:
Matt Morris, Fire Chief, 360.753.8466
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Fire Department has developed a Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES) program designed to serve the most vulnerable populations after the use of 911 Emergency Services. This program focuses on areas of social well-being, physical health, housing concerns, chronic illness and overall safety of people. CARES bridges the gap between emergency services and supportive care through client-centered treatment planning and community partnerships. Clients receive sustainable tools and connections to culturally competent social service and mental health professionals, community resources and health care providers available to provide long-term services and support.
An Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Tumwater is necessary to increase the funding to the City of Olympia, which will allow the .50 FTE to become a 1.0 FTE, increasing our service availability. The increase in funding will create 20 hours per week of additional CARES availability to the cities of Tumwater and Olympia along with offsetting a portion of administrative costs to the City of Olympia Fire Department.
Partnership with the City of Tumwater Fire Department allows CARES to span into our neighboring communities that regularly use services in both Tumwater and Olympia. Proactive efforts steering people toward supportive services allow for more holistic care, in addition to encouraging appropriate use of Emergency Services. By bringing awareness to available services and social support, the expenditures for the Fire Departments and Emergency Departments naturally decrease, and health outcomes increase.
Climate Analysis:
As we address social concerns within our city, environmental concerns naturally become part of conversations. Keeping our community clean and safe plays a role in overall community risk reduction.
Equity Analysis:
The impact of this agreement has been applied through the equity lens of the Equity Framework. Everyone deserves to have access to sustainable tools and connections to culturally competent social services and mental health professionals. The CARES program strives to connect with vulnerable populations, connecting them to community resources, health care coordination and long-term services aiming to improve quality of life and better health outcomes. CARES is a free and voluntary service without restrictions or qualifiers.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Not applicable
Financial Impact:
The Interlocal Agreement defines revenue to the City of Olympia from the City of Tumwater for Community Assistance Referral and Education Services ($122,500 annually).
Options:
1. Move to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Tumwater for Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES).
2. Do not approve the Resolution authorizing the Interlocal Agreement and send it back to staff. Not accepting this Interlocal Agreement eliminates the planned revenue that would provide additional funding for services.
Attachments:
Resolution
Amendment
Agreement