7/31/2019 FOIA OIG January 2008 Request From Congressman Honda and Stanley Koutstaal Instruction Not to Respond

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From: Koutstaal, Stanley (ACF)Sent: Fri 1/11/2008 12:43 PMTo: Brown Remple, Evelynn (ACF)Cc: Clair, Bill (ACF); Barela, Mark (ACF)Subject: Contact with members of Congress

Evelynn,

I just wanted to provide a reminder that all inquiries that you receive from a member of Congress relatedto ACF business must be redirected to Mark Barela in the Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget. Youwill also need to keep Bill and me informed.

In our meeting you indicated that Congressman Honda requested a direct response from you regardingan ACF grant. If this is the case then that inquiry should be redirected as described above. You shouldnot respond directly to Congress Honda. You may provide us with recommendations for how to reply tohis request if you would like.

Thank you.

Stan Koutstaal, Ph.D.

Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner

Family and Youth Services Bureau

Administration for Children and Families

1250 Maryland Ave SW, 8th Floor

Washington, DC 20024

ph:202-401-9205

fax:202-401-5533

From: Brown Remple, Evelynn (ACF) [mailto:Evelynn.BrownRemple@ACF.hhs.gov]Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 8:52 AMTo: Representative Mike HondaCc: Pham, Christine; Banis, Mary Jo (ACF); Brown Remple, Evelynn (ACF)Subject: RE: Bill Wilson Center and EHC Lifebuilders

Importance: High

Dear Congressman Honda:

Thank you for your email communication. Please allow me to introduce myself as the responsibleProgram Officer for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program effective, June 2007. Since then, it hasbeen my responsibility to handle both grantees, Emergency Housing Consortium and The Bill WilsonCenter, mentioned below.

mailto:Evelynn.BrownRemple@ACF.hhs.govmailto:Evelynn.BrownRemple@ACF.hhs.govmailto:Evelynn.BrownRemple@ACF.hhs.govmailto:Evelynn.BrownRemple@ACF.hhs.gov

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I am today forwarding your letter addressed to me to The Administration for Children and Families, Officeof the Assistant Secretary. Ms. Mary Jo Banis, Director is copied in above and I have discussed yourletter with her this morning. Congressional inquires must be forwarded to her office for disposition.

Again, many thanks and please let me know should you need further assistance.

Kindest regards,Evelynn Brown Remple, J.D., LL.MU.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Administration for Children and Families (ACF)Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF)Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)90 7th StreetSan Francisco, CA 94103415-437-8513evelynn.brownremple@acf.hhs.gov

Dear Friend:

I am writing on behalf of the Bill Wilson Center, 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050 and the

EHC Lifebuilders, 2665 North 1st Street, Suite 210, San Jose, CA 95134.

EHC Lifebuilders contacted me regarding their youth shelter, Our House. According to EHC, Our

House has operated since 1993 as exempt from licensing requirements pursuant to advice received

from Community Care Licensing (CCL). I am told that the service delivery method was reviewed andaccepted by federal and peer monitors from the Department of Health and Human Services. Our

House received a monitoring visit in September 2007 by HHS and by CCL in October 2007. They

were told that Our House must meet State licensing standards in order to satisfy HHS programmatic

requirements. EHC Lifebuilders is seeking from HHS, Family Youth and Service Bureau, a policy

decision on this interpretation of 45 CFR 1351.1. EHC Lifebuilders tell me that they are requesting a

meeting with HHS to be advised of an appeals process, as they have not been given a formal

relinquishment letter from HHS. I am told that EHC Lifebuilders is alos currently in the process of

preparing and submitting a license application.

mailto:evelynn.brownremple@acf.hhs.govmailto:evelynn.brownremple@acf.hhs.govhttp://honda.house.gov/mailto:evelynn.brownremple@acf.hhs.gov

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The Bill Wilson Center indicated that after EHC Lifebuilder's facility, Casa Say, closed down in

October 2007, the Bill Wilson Center prepared itself to help with the cases that were originally

through Casa Say. It is our understanding that Casa Say relinquished HHS grants upon its closure

without requesting that the funding remain with other providers in our region. The Bill Wilson Centeris requesting that their application for these funds be approved so that they can cover the additional

services to the community.

I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter and provide a status report to Christine Pham

of my district office at 1999 South Bascom Avenue, Suite 815, Campbell, CA 95008. Christine Pham

can be reached by telephone at(408) 558-8085, by fax at(408) 558-8086, or by e-mail at Christine.

Pham@mail.house.gov.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Michael M. Honda

Member of Congress

Email Updates

To receive updates on upcoming events and issues that impact you and your family, Iencourage you to sign up athonda.house.gov/signupfor my e-mail newsletter.

Contact Information

mailto:Pham@mail.house.govmailto:Pham@mail.house.govhttp://honda.house.gov/signuphttp://honda.house.gov/signuphttp://honda.house.gov/signuphttp://honda.house.gov/signupmailto:Pham@mail.house.gov

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Washington, DCThe Honorable Michael Honda

1713 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone:(202) 225-2631Fax:(202) 225-2699

District OfficeThe Honorable Michael Honda

1999 South Bascom Ave - Suite 815

Campbell, CA 95008

Phone:(408) 558-8085Fax:(408) 558-8086