To: Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Brajkovic, Director of Risk Management
Report Title: Authorize the Contra Costa County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority to join the Golden State Risk Management Authority Insurance Pooling Program and withdraw from the Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management Joint Powers Authority GL 1 Insurance Pooling Program.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting in its capacity as the governing board of the Contra Costa County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority (IHSS PA), ADOPT Resolution to approve and authorize the Director of Risk Management, or designee, to execute on behalf of the IHSS PA the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, the Agreement for Admission of New Member and all agreements and related documents necessary for the IHSS PA to secure coverage from and effectuate membership in the Golden State Risk Management Authority (GSRMA) insurance pooling program effective July 1, 2026; and to withdraw the IHSS PA from the Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management Joint powers Authority GL1 (PRISM GL 1) insurance pooling program, effective July 1, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to the County General Fund. Costs will be funded through the Risk Management Internal Service Funds.
The deductible structure under GSRMA is substantially more favorable than the PRISM GL1 deductible structure, which will increase from $10,000 to $100,000, reducing exposure to uninsured losses and providing greater cost stability. For comparison, the renewal premium for the existing PRISM GL1 program at a $100,000 self-insured retention in $137,000, whereas the premium for the GSRMA program at a $0 deductible/self-insured retention is $155,961.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this item is to authorize the IHSS PA to change its risk financing program from participation in the PRISM GL 1 general liability insurance pool to participation in the GSRMA Joint Protection Program general liability insurance pool, effective July 1, 2026.
The IHSS PA was recently notified that the PRISM GL1 program deductible will increase from 10,000 to $100,000, effective July 1, 2026. Following a comprehensive review of risk management strategies, financial efficiencies, and alternative coverage options, the Risk Management Director recommends terminating the IHSS PA’s membership in the PRISM GL 1 program. The Risk Management Department evaluated alternative public entity risk programs and determined that participation in GSRMA's program will provide more favorable deductible terms, stable pooled funding, and strong public agency governance while maintaining comparable excess insurance protection.
As a condition of membership, GSRMA requires adoption of its Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and Bylaws, and the execution of membership documents, GSRMA is a California joint powers authority organized pursuant to Government Code sections 6500 et seq, and operates as a public entity separate from its member agencies for the purpose of providing risk financing and claims administration services.
GSRMA is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors consisting of elected or appointed representatives from member agencies. GSRMA conducts its business in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and operates under established governance and financial oversight procedures.
The transition is limited to changing the pooled risk program administration from PRISM’s GL1 program to GSRMA’s joint protection program, and does not impact excess insurance carriers for the IHSS PA.
PRISM has confirmed that all claims with dates of loss occurring prior to July 1, 2026, will remain the responsibility of PRISM GL 1. Claims with dates of loss on or after July 1, 2026, will be administered through GSRMA. To ensure a seamless transition and meet the program’s withdrawal notification conditions, a Board vote is required to authorize the withdrawal from the PRISM GL 1 program. IHSS PA must provide official notice to withdraw before June 30, 2026.
Approval of the recommended actions will allow IHSS PA to become a member of GSRMA effective July 1, 2026, and ensure continuity of liability coverage while avoiding the substantial deductible increase associated with continued participation in the PRISM GL1 program.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Negative action would increase the IHSS PA’s financial risk exposure and limit IHSS PA's financial risk exposure and limit IHSS PA’s ability to implement the recommended risk financing strategy for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
RESOLUTION OF THE CONTRA COSTA COUTY IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY TO JOIN THE GOLDEN STATE RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY INSURANCE POOLING PROGRAM AND WITHDRAW FROM THE PUBLIC RISK INNOVATION, SOLUTIONS, AND MANAGEMENT GL 1 INSURANCE POOLING PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Contra Costa County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority ("IHSS PA") currently participates in the Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management ("PRISM") GL1 pooled liability program; and
WHEREAS, PRISM announced an increase in the program deductible effective July 1, 2026, resulting in a substantial increase in the retained risk exposure for IHSS PA; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County Risk Management evaluated alternative public agency risk financing programs and determined participation in the Golden State Risk Management Authority ("GSRMA") Joint Protection Program provides a cost-effective and fiscally prudent alternative while maintaining comparable excess insurance protection; and
WHEREAS, enrollment in GSRMA requires adoption of the GSRMA Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and Bylaws, which establish the governance structure, membership requirements, and operating procedures of the GSRMA; and
WHEREAS, participation in GSRMA will allow IHSS PA to continue receiving liability protection and claims administration services through a public entity risk-sharing program; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors acting in its capacity as the governing board of the IHSS PA finds that membership in the GSRMA program and withdrawal from the PRISM GL 1 program is in the best interests of the IHSS PA.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE IHSS PA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, ORDER AND DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The Board approves and authorizes the Director of Risk Management, or designee, to execute on behalf of the IHSS PA the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, the Agreement for Admission of New Member, and all agreements and related documents necessary for the IHSS PA to secure coverage from and effectuate membership in the GSRMA insurance pooling program, effective July 1, 2026.
SECTION 2: The Board approves and directs the withdrawal of the IHSS PA from the PRISM GL 1 insurance pooling program, effective July 1, 2026, in accordance with applicable withdrawal provisions.
SECTION 3: The Director of Risk Management is authorized to take all actions necessary to ensure there is no lapse in primary liability coverage for the IHSS PA and to take any additional actions and execute any documents necessary to carry out the intent of this Resolution.
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA
By: ______________________________
Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES AUTHORITY
By: ______________________________
Authorized Representative