Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Child Support Services to renew and sign the Interagency Agreement for Enhanced Early Intervention with the Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services in the amount of $70,220, for the period of October 1st 2013 through June 30th, 2014; and
b. Accept non-standard County liability and indemnification provisions as recommended by the Director of Child Support Services; and
c. Authorize the Director of Child Support Services or designee to approve up to two full one-year renewals of this Agreement for a yearly total amount not to exceed $93,600 per year, and/or amend this Agreement up to ten percent (10%) of the annual amounts.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Child Support Services to renew and sign the Interagency Agreement for Enhanced Early Intervention with the Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services in the amount of $70,220, for the period of October 1st 2013 through June 30th, 2014; and
b. Accept non-standard County provisions to mutually indemnify and hold harmless for each party's own share of liability, as recommended by the Director of Child Support Services; and
c. Authorize the Director of Child Support Services or designee to approve up to two full one-year renewals of this Agreement for a yearly total amount not to exceed $93,600 per year, and/or amend this Agreement up to ten percent (10%) of the annual amounts.
SUMMARY:
The State has provided prior approval for the Monterey County Department of Child Support Services to enter into an interagency agreement with Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services for an Enhanced Early Intervention process. Monterey County is on a statewide computer system, which allows California counties to provide shared services to each other. This specific service plan provides for an enhanced system notification process with new court ordered cases, which helps prevent large arrearages from accruing and improves the ability to collect support for the families being served. The agreement may be terminated with thirty (30) days advance notice or immediately by written mutual consent between the parties.
DISCUSSION:
Protocols and referral processes have been developed by other counties (Marin and Stanislaus) who have been using this service for the past few years. Merced County has joined this project within the past year as well. The service plan includes a vendor who is making standardized live and automated follow-up contacts with both employers and non-custodial parents. This enhanced process is transparent to the person being contacted and the Department maintains case management responsibility over these cases. The service plan agreement will provide more valuable quality time for our case management staff and will allow them to be more focused on the complex and challenging cases within our caseload.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This agreement has been granted prior approval by the State of California, Department of Child Support Services, and the agreement has also been reviewed by County Counsel as to legal form; the Auditor Controller for fiscal provisions; purchasing/contracts; and the County Administrative Budget Analyst, with the exception of the non-standard mutual indemnification language.
FINANCING:
The Department of Child Support Services is funded 100% by Federal and State funding and there is no cost to the County General Fund associated with this recommendation. Any future amendments up to 10% of the annual amount will be covered within the Department's current budget.
Prepared by: JODY HOLTZWORTH, Deputy Director of Child Support Services, x 8721
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Approved by: STEPHEN KENNEDY, Director of Child Support Services, x 3292
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