To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOY A. FORD, CITY ATTORNEY
STEPHANIE JOHNSON, QUALITY OF LIFE PROSECUTOR
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APPROVE THIRD AMENDMENT TO CLEAR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR SERVICES RENDERED FROM JULY 1, 2024 to JUNE 30, 2025 AND TO EXTEND THE TERM TO JUNE 30, 2026 AT A RATE OF $110,000 ANNUALLY, NOT TO EXCEED $220,000
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On September 1, 2020, the Mayor and City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Clear Inc. whereby Clear Inc. agreed to donate up to $5,000 of professional clinical services per month to fund a substance abuse and mental health treatment program to assist people experiencing homelessness, with the option for the City to pay for additional services not to exceed $50,000. On December 7, 2021, the Mayor and City Council approved the First Amendment, which amended the services donated to up to $3,875 per month and the term to extend the agreement to June 30, 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Mayor and City Council approved the Second Amendment, which extended the MOU for another year to June 30, 2024 at different rates. This third amendment, which seeks to retroactively cover Clear’s services from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and extend services through June 30, 2026, is presented for City Council’s consideration and possible approval.
BACKGROUND
Clear Inc., operating as Clear Behavioral Services, is a South Bay based mental health and substance abuse treatment provider that provides a full continuum of care. Their treatment is individualized, evidence-based and age-specific in order to give their clients the best possible chance at long term recovery. They pride themselves on their expert clinical team who is highly skilled in the latest in evidence-based treatments and therapies.
Since the first outdoor Homeless Court on September 9, 2020, Clear Inc. has provided participants with substance abuse counseling and mental health therapy. At the recommendation of assigned housing navigators and the prosecutors with the agreement of defense attorneys, the Judge will order certain participants to meet with either the substance abuse counselor and/or the mental health therapist for clinical services. In addition, Clear provides weekly follow up sessions with individuals assigned to them based on new orders from the Judge.
Those services include one-on-one and group therapy by Ron White, who provides therapy for individualized client-centered needs and goals as well as individual care management for like skill training. Ron White has built relationships that have saved many lives. Even after graduation, Ron White continues to meet with certain participants to make sure they retain their housing and do not fall back into homelessness.
This amendment will cover services provided from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 at an annual rate not to exceed $110,000 and extend to cover services provided from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, not to exceed $220,000 for both years covered.
Clear has been instrumental to the treatment and stabilization of Homeless Court participants to assist them with temporary housing and inevitably permanent housing. Recommended is a third amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding to cover services from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 up to $110,000 and to extend the MOU to June 30, 2026 for an additional amount of $110,000.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney's Office coordinated with Clear Recovery Center in connection with the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available from the $500,000 grant from Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi for Homeless Court.
Submitted by:
Joy A. Ford, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
• Third Amendment to Clear Memorandum of Understanding