Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Olympia and Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging on Behalf of Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES) for Post-Hospitalization Supportive Care Benefits
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Olympia and Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging on behalf of Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES) for post-hospitalization supportive care benefits.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Olympia and Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging on behalf of CARES for post-hospitalization supportive care benefits.
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 connection to culturally competent social service and mental health professionals, community resources and health care providers available to provide long-term services and supports.
Partnership with the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging allows CARES to extend our reach, working directly with hospitals in Olympia. Proactive efforts steering people toward supportive services allow for more holistic care, in addition to reducing 911 calls for non-acute care. By bringing awareness to available services and social supports, the expenditures for the Fire Departments and Emergency Departments naturally decrease, and health outcomes increase. This partnership will allow the CARES program to hire a staff focused on post-hospital stay interventions and care approaches, reducing the utilization of 911 for both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) transports, with the secondary goal of reducing hospital readmissions.
Climate Analysis:
As we address social concerns within our city, environmental concerns naturally become part of the conversations. Keeping our community healthier, clean and safe plays a role in overall community risk reduction.
Equity Analysis:
The impacts of this agreement have been applied through the equity lens of the Equity Framework. Everyone deserves to have access to sustainable tools and connection to culturally competent social service and mental health professionals. The CARES program strives to connect with vulnerable populations, connecting them to community resources, increased health care coordination and long-term services aiming to improve quality of live better health outcomes. CARES is a free and voluntary service without restrictions or qualifiers.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This agreement directly supports community interests by improving health outcomes for vulnerable residents in Olympia through coordinated post-hospital care.
Financial Impact:
The Contracted Services Agreement defines revenue to the City of Olympia from the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging for the CARES Program in the amount of $17,736 for two months, May-June 2025.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Olympia and Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging on behalf of Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES) for post-hospitalization supportive care benefits.
2. Do not approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Olympia and Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging on behalf of Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES) for post-hospitalization supportive care benefits. This action would eliminate the planned revenue that would provide additional funding for services.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement